DAY 17 - Another Thief?
Yesterday, we learned that although the “Day of the Lord” is definitely preceded by certain events, it still comes as a thief.
Since thieves try to sneak in, knowing the signs that the thief is near can prevent one from being caught off guard.
Therefore, although many will be surprised when the thief shows up, it is not necessary for us to be “in the dark”.
The Bible also reveals to us something else that is coming as a thief.
“If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” (Revelation 3:3b)
“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” (Revelation 16:15)
In each of these verses, we have Jesus’ personal testimony that He will come as a thief.
If I am correct about His return occurring on the same day that the “Day of the Lord” begins, perhaps this is why both of these events are spoken of in the same way, coming “as a thief”.
However, we know for sure that the “Day of the Lord” is preceded by specific events, and yet many claim that the rapture could at occur at any moment.
They believe in an imminent return of Jesus, which has no events that must occur first.
Let’s look a little deeper into what Jesus said about coming as a thief.
“If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come upon thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” (Revelation 3:3b)
Jesus says that He will not come as a thief to all.
Only to those who are not watching.
Since we do not need to be in the dark about this, we can be as “the goodman of the house”, who knew in what watch the thief would come.
“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4)
“But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.” (Matthew 24:43)
Knowing in what “watch”, or period of time, the thief will come, can prevent the thief from sneaking in.
If the “Day of the Lord” and the return of Christ happen on the same day, then we can use precursors of the “Day of the Lord” as precursors for the return of Christ.
The “Abomination of Desolation” is one such example, which I believe is stated quite succinctly in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4.
If we expect these events to occur within a certain time period, then we will not be off guard.
The question then for us to answer will be, “Is the return of Jesus Christ for the rapture imminent?”
Could it really occur at any moment?
We will start to evaluate this tomorrow.
Point #1: The “Day of the Lord” is coming as a thief.
Point #2: Jesus is coming as a thief.
Point #3: This could be additional evidence that these events occur on the same day.
Point #4: The “Day of the Lord” is definitely preceded by specific events.
Point #5: Therefore, Jesus “coming as a thief” cannot be evidence that His return is imminent.
Point #6: The rapture may be preceded by certain events.
2+2=4
Thanks, @narrowminded
In case you missed them,
Introduction
Back Cover
1 : The Foundation
2 : The Tribulation
BONUS : A Biblical, New Testament Understanding of Tribulation
3 : The Seventieth Week of Daniel
4 : Not Appointed to Wrath
5 : Wrath vs. Tribulation
6 : The Day of the Lord
7 : The Lord Alone
8 : The Exaltation of the Antichrist
9 : Promises
10 : The Presupposition
11 : 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
12 : The Revealing of the Antichrist
13 : Same Day - 1
14 : Same Day -2
15 : Hand in Hand
16 : Overtake You as a Thief