#DailyDevotion Are You Prepared For Jesus’ Return?

1 Thess. 5:1-4 You don’t need anyone to write and tell you exactly when things will happen, my fellow Christians, ²because you know very well the Lord’s day will come just like a thief in the night. ³When people say, “All’s well and safe!” then destruction will come on them suddenly like labor pains on a woman who is going to have a baby, and they will not escape. ⁴But you, my fellow Christians, are not in the dark that you should let that day take you by surprise like a thief.

It’s like Paul could be writing to us today. As usual, this year, some false Christian prophet claimed Christ would return or the rapture would happened during the Jewish Feasts of Trumpets. Of course it didn’t happen. You shouldn’t need to have someone write or broadcast exactly when things will happen. Why is that? Because Jesus told us in Mark 13, “³²“No one knows about that day or hour, not the angels in heaven, not the Son, only the Father.” Now I have had some smart Alec, false prophet Christians say, “Well Jesus didn’t say we wouldn’t know the year.” I’m pretty certain Jesus in saying what he did meant by his language you will not know at all. Paul tells us here what Jesus has told us and the Church throughout the ages has taught, that day will come like a thief in the night. No one is expecting a thief at night. Because of that people prepare for when the thief comes. They have their doors and windows locked. They have their self-defense weapon near their bed. They have their goods locked up. You too be prepared.

Paul tells us something interesting here. He tells us, “When people say, ‘All’s well and safe!’ then destruction will come on them suddenly like labor pains on a woman who is going to have a baby, and they will not escape.” I do not think he is speaking of the people of the Church saying this but rather the world. Paul is likely mimicking what the people before the Flood were saying just before it started raining and the door was shut on the ark. When you see your non-Christian friends not at all worried about the state of the world, watch out. The end is near. Seriously, I don’t think even we Christians will be expecting to happen on that day or hour. We will simply be living out our lives faithfully in Christ Jesus. It will be like one of those videos where a girlfriend or wife is set up by her friends and family whose boyfriend or husband is away on duty and they are not expecting him to be there for the party but in an instant, he is there and the girlfriend/wife is overjoyed at seeing him. We too will be overjoyed at seeing our LORD Jesus Christ appearing in the clouds with all his angels.

Paul tells us we are not in the dark and should not be surprised though at Jesus’ coming. Why is that? Because he gave us the signs to look for telling us to be prepared for it. What are those signs? He tells us in Mark 13, ⁵“Be careful not to let anyone deceive you. ⁶“Many will come using My name and saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. ⁷“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t get alarmed. It must happen, but that’s not the end yet. ⁸Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in different places, and famines. These are only the first pains. ⁹“Be on your guard! Men will hand you over to their courts and whip you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake to tell them the truth. ¹⁰The good news must be preached to all nations before the end comes.” So how should we be prepared? Go to Church. Repent and be absolved. Hear God’s Word. Received the Sacrament often. Live out your faith in your daily life.

Heavenly Father, you have warned us through Jesus your Son and his apostles to be prepared for the day of judgment. Give us your Spirit that we may indeed do those things to be prepared and not be taken by surprise. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.