CONTEXT IS KEY IN UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES PART 5 ; #JESUS IS COMING LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT ?

CONTEXT IS KEY IN UNDERSTANDING THE SCRIPTURES PART 5 ; #JESUS IS COMING LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT ?

The truth is in Christ. There are no contradictions in the Bible . Many times we have contradictions because we refuse to read the entire context of the scriptures.  The Bible is a book set apart to show us Christ. We must learn to read the Bible and get the meaning from the Bible . We do not read our meaning into the Bible . It is a book older than everyone on earth now. We cannot afford to innovate into the scriptures.

Context is surroundings, circumstances, environment, background or settings that determines, specifies, or clarifies the meaning of an event or other occurrence. It is the  text in which a word or passage appears and which helps ascertain its meaning. The context of a text includes the surrounding words /paragraphs of the text. It can also include the background information or events that result in the text. Context also includes the history and general knowledge of the writer and receiver of a text.  So far we have seen that context is of paramount importance in understanding the Scriptures. You can’t use a verse out of context to say what you like. You take the meaning of the verse instead of interpreting your meaning into it.

1 Thessalonians   5

 2  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

When the Bible said the day of the Lord  is coming as a thief in the night what does it means ? Remember we cannot read our meaning into it. 

First understand that 1 Thessalonians 5 is teaching the return of Jesus  which is popularly called the rapture. It is this return that is called the day of the Lord. It is the salvation of our mortal body to put on immortality. There is the consistency of the scriptures that whenever the Bible mentions salvation as a future experience, it always has to do with the return of Jesus and our putting on immortality. See some scriptures below . 

Romans 5

 8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life

So we know there is a wrath to come. We also know that we are saved from this wrath through the life of God. This is because we have been justified, made not guilty by the blood of Jesus as we see in verse 9 of Romans 5. 

Romans 8

24  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  

 25  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

 26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Here we see that there is the hope or expectation of salvation. This is what we have not received. It is immortality according to the context of Romans 8. Notice the fact that we are saved by hope. This means there is something we have not received even after being saved. When it comes to this matter of putting on immortal body, we don’t know what to pray but this spirit prays through us. 

1 Corinthians 3

Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  

 14  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

 15  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire

Another detail here to take note of is that the return of Jesus will involve a reward system . Everyman’s work will be tried . Notice verse 15 says those that whose works are burnt will still be saved. So being saved which is being with Jesus and having immortal body is not a product of works . It is dependent on what we already have at salvation. 

Hebrews 7

 25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 

Notice it is Christ that saves us to the end. So we do not save ourselves . Jesus' intercession is what He has done. It is His death, burial , resurrection and living in us through His Spirit.    You can click here to read more on His intercession.

Ephesians 1

 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

 14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

We see from the above scriptures that we have a down payment which is the Holy Ghost. He is the assurance of our redemption being His purchased possession. God in Christ gave us His Spirit as proof that our bodies will be redeemed. So it is not based on what you do. 

In fact Jesus said ;   All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 7 : 37-40. Jesus said He will by no  means cast out and He will raise us up. The whole responsibility of His second coming is on Him.

So far we have seen that the day of the Lord is indeed the day of the Lord . He is the one fully responsible for our putting on immortality. It is not of works. So salvation from start to finish is the work of Jesus. Keep all this in mind while we examine 1 Thessalonian 5 knowing fully well that there are no contradictions in the Bible. So 1 Thessalonians 5 cannot be saying anything different.

NOW WHAT DOES IT MEANS by Jesus coming like a thief in the night?

Let’s look at the context of 1  Thessalonians 5. Please READ CAREFULLY the following verses without preconceived notions.

1 Thessalonians 5

 1  But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

 2  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

 3  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

 4  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

 5  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

 6  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

 7  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

 8  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

 9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

 10  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

 11  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do

From verse one we see that Paul the writer sees the audience as not ignorant of the return of Jesus. Verse two now points out that the day of Lord is coming like a thief in the night as the Thessalonian church already knows . So the writing is a reminder to encourage them. First take note of the fact that the coming of the Lord is LIKE a thief. This means that Jesus is not a THIEF. It is explaining His coming . The way thieves come unexpectedly is the same way His coming will be. Many times this verse is used to threaten believers and warn them of the need to merit or make heaven as it is called. How true is this? Who are those that His coming will be a surprise to? Let’s look at the context in the verses after verse two.

1 Thessalonians 5

 3  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

 4  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

 5  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Notice verse 3 , 4 and 5.

In verse 3 we see they that His coming will overtake. They are those in darkness. They are the people that when they hear of the return of Jesus and the gospel they are not moved . They put all their hopes on this Earth that will be burnt off. They are obviously unbelievers.

Notice verse 4 and 5 strike a very obvious difference between the Thessalonian brethren and the ones that will be overtaken by the coming of the Lord . 

We are not in darkness that we should be overtaken by Jesus' coming like a thief. The man in Christ should be rest assured of His coming.

Verse 7 and 8 admonishes us of what to do because we are in the light. 

 7  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

 8  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

As the manner of the apostles are, we see that we are to do because we are not to become. WE DO NOT BECOME WATCHFUL so as to be in the light not to be overtaken. We are watchful because we ARE in the light ALREADY AND CAN NEVER BE OVERTAKEN BY HIS COMING. We put on the breastplate of love and faith because we are of the day. Glory to God! So the context of 1 Thessalonians 5 so far has not shown any form of uncertainty or threat to the man in Christ for the return of Jesus .

Let’s look at verse 9 and 10. Very instructive.

 9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

GOD HAS NOT APPOINTED US UNTO WRATH but to obtain salvation by Our Lord Jesus. There are those that are appointed unto wrath. This is because they refused to believe in Jesus as John 3:16-18 reveals. John 3: 15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

 16.For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

 18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

What is the condemnation? What is the sentence to wrath ? It is because they have not believed in Jesus . So a man chooses to go to hell for refusing to have life and go to heaven. simple! It is a free gift of life. It is actually a wicked act to reject life. This is why they will experience the wrath and burn off in eternal damnation.

 The man in Christ can never come to wrath at the return of Jesus. What is coming for us is salvation through Jesus. Salvation as a future experience is our receiving immortal bodies. Don’t forget this. And very important also is the fact that this salvation is BY OUR LORD JESUS . He is the channel through which we will receive immortal bodies by His Spirit He has already given us. This is a great news. It is the news that we have escaped the wrath to come. We are not appointed unto wrath. Glory to Jesus. Jesus died for us so whether we live or are asleep we will be with Him forever . This is a great news .

Let’s see verse 11 

 11  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Paul ended the conversation by admonishing them to comfort one another with the news. It is a great news of comfort not threat. It brings joy and edification to know that Jesus is coming for us not against us. Despite our experiences on earth, we are certain and highly comforted that Jesus is coming. This was what the apostles knew that they could say Maranatha (1Corinthians 16:22) which means Come dear Lord Jesus . 

So far we have seen that Jesus coming like a thief in the night in  1 Thessalonians 5 does not in any way suggest threat, surprise  or uncertainty for the man in Christ. The context of the chapter reveals that the surprise is for the unbelievers in darkness. We are in the light and of the day so His coming will not take us by surprise . We are not appointed unto wrath. He is coming to save us so we can receive immortal body . Glory to God. We are with Christ whether we sleep or are awake . We have His life and we anxiously await His coming.

Context is key in understanding the scriptures. Never find yourself concluding a text without actually reading the text. You have to read to take the meaning from the Bible . So far we have seen that Context is very important in Bible interpretation.

Don’t forget NO CONTRADICTIONS in the Bible . It is a book centered on revealing the truth in Christ. In the subsequent parts of this series, we will look at other seemingly contradictory verses in the epistles .

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