Wednesday, February 11, 2004 (92)
JESUS IS COMING AS A THIEF. The advantage of the thief is that he comes in a manner and at a time not anticipated. He comes with stealth. The element of surprise is on his side. So, Jesus has given fair warning that His second coming carries the basics of one huge surprise. Jesus made that plain in His discourse of the man whose house was broken into, who, had he known would have made preparation for the event. He then compares this to His second coming. But notice please, that it is only the hour of that visitation that contains the unanticipated arrival. Mt. 24:43
TO WHOM DOES HE COME AS A THIEF. Will all the people on the face of the earth be surprised and shocked when He comes? The Apostle Paul stated that Christians, those who anticipate His return have certain and positive knowledge of the fashion of His return. One of the many, many signs that will preface His return is a period of time when the politicians and leaders of the world will be able to say peace and safety. So it is very evident that between now and His coming there will be a time when wars and insurrections will cease in the earth. Oddly enough, that will be the accomplishment of the antichrist for at least a brief time during his reign on the earth. It will be just prior to the return of Christ for sudden destruction, the coming of Christ Jesus will come upon them with great shock. It is written that they shall not escape. This is another view of Armageddon. 1 Thes. 5:2
TOO OFTEN OVERLOOKED IS THE DEFINITE, POSITIVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMING OF THAT DAY. Understanding Christians must possess the wisdom and teaching of the Word and the illumination of the Holy Spirit pertaining to that day. Be challenged to make a through study of the subject. Paul made a statement concerning a vital truth relevant to the second coming. To the Christian he wrote and proclaimed that we are not in darkness and that day will not overtake us as a thief in the night. Every born again, spirit filled person should be able to receive the revelation given by Paul. We are children of the light. 1 Thes. 5:4 Here is a part of His second coming that every student of the Word must consider. He is coming as a thief, secretly and covertly. When He comes as a thief, the ozone and the atmosphere of our earth will explode, ignited by the fire of His coming. That will be one big bang. An explosion such as has never been before. All the basic elements of the earth will melt with the fire and heat of His coming. The earth and all the works of men will also be destroyed with the extreme heat generated by His coming. All will be dissolved. Consider carefully, this will happen when He comes as a thief. 2 Peter 3:10 When Christ comes secretly, as a thief He will be the most conspicuous person who has ever taken anyone, anywhere by surprise. The topography of the earth will be completely altered by the impact of that fiery descent from heaven on high. Blessed is the man watching and cleansed and who is prepared for the moment of His coming as a thief. Rev. 16:15