Week 8: Return

Thief in the Night

We probably don't linger long enough these days in the passages that describe the return of Jesus. They seem pretty dark and daunting. Most of this stems from our comfortable life and lifestyle. We only confront the brutality of the human condition on our TVs or phones as if it is fictional or fanciful. Yet, the dark brutality of fallenness is real throughout this world. It is probably not as far from you as you often think. Those on the front lines of the dark places in our world talk differently about this kind of evil. In my experience, they speak way less about it being healed or redeemed and way more about it being destroyed. They want it rooted out and eliminated. In his great mercy, God longs to redeem all of his creation, including every person. Yet, he is consistent. He will not stand for darkness and evil. Upon the Son’s return, it will be rooted out and eliminated.

In the passage for today, Paul points to an ironic twist with the metaphor of a thief in the night. He contends that those who do evil and bask in their self-reliance and self-protection will suddenly be confronted by the Lord in his return. It is the Lord who will come like a “thief in the night.” Those who have created the darkness of their own lives will be confronted suddenly in this darkness by the prince of light.

Yet, God’s children are people of the light. A thief in the night won’t surprise them because they belong to the day. He also encourages them and us to “be sober and awake.” We are to be ready and watching. We are to live like people of daylight filling all the dark places of evil around us with the eternal light of Jesus. We proudly wear faith, love, and hope as protection from evil until the day he returns.

When he does return, whether we are dead or alive, “we may live together with him.” Once again, we see the “with” language that has permeated this study. We are with Christ in the heavenly places now, but we also await the day when we will live together fully with him.

This place will be devoid of all darkness and sin. It’s not only that there will be no more pain (a common refrain among our churches) but also that God will root out all malicious evildoers. Those who have chosen darkness will face the wrath of God, but those who have chosen light will bask forever with Jesus when he returns.

As you read through the passage today, ask yourself these challenging questions.

How does our comfort and safety influence how we think about Jesus’ return?

How might people facing persecution and suffering think differently than we do about Jesus' return?

Do you struggle with the language of the final wrath of God? Why do you think this is?