1 Thessalonians 5:4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. ESV
The other morning I woke up to hear God say, “The King is coming!” God had been talking to me all week about His return, so it was no surprise to hear Him say, The King is coming! His declaration made me jump up out of bed in excitement!
The first time God started talking to me about His return was about two years ago. At that time He said He was coming sooner than I thought. Now at this time God is revealing to me the time of His return is of course sooner than before, and even sooner than I had anticipated. I don’t know the hour or the day as nor does anyone, but I do have a Word from God which causes a me a sense of time, and a counsel in which time I am to be ready.
But didn’t Jesus say that even He didn’t know the day or the hour in which He could come?
Matthew 24:36 But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. AMPC
Yes Jesus did say that, but He didn’t say we wouldn’t know the time frame or have a sense of His return. Jesus also said the Holy Spirit would tell us things to come (John 16:13), which confirms the fact that we shouldn’t be living in the dark, but the light. We should know things are going to happen before they do and prepare for them.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord will come [as unexpectedly and suddenly] as a thief in the night. ESV
How are we to be ready? Being ready is being without sin, doing all God commands us to do so that we are in agreement with Him. If were not in agreement with Him, we are in disagreement with Him. Jesus plainly said if your are not for Me, you’re against Me.
Being in agreement with Him now before He comes is our call. Just like the five virgins didn’t have time to fill their vessels at the last minute, we won’t. We won’t have time to quick forgive, quick write a book, or quick feed the hungry, at the sound of the trumpet, He’ll already be here and it will be too late!
Matthew 25:10 But while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. 11 Later the other virgins also came and said, Lord, Lord, open [the door] to us! 12 But He replied, I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you [I am not acquainted with you]. 13 Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come. AMPC
All God asks us to do, if we don’t do it is a being disagreement with Him. If you are called into ministry and you don’t go, you are not in agreement with Him. If you aren’t loving your husband, adapting to His need you are in disagreement with Him. If you are lying you are not in agreement with Him, and you will be rejected on that day because you practiced, (lived) disregarding His command.
James tells us if we break one law we have broken all the law, therefore we can’t do some of what He commands us and not all of what He commands of us.
God is declaring to us today, the time is near. He has commissioned me to tell you the King is coming and we need to prepare now—His return is soon. God wants us to know, not be taken by surprise as those who live in darkness will be, but to know and be prepared.
1 Thessalonians 5:3 When people are saying, All is well and secure, and, There is peace and safety, then in a moment unforeseen destruction (ruin and death) will come upon them as suddenly as labor pains come upon a woman with child; and they shall by no means escape, for there will be no escape. AMPC
1 Thessalonians 4:3 But you are not in [given up to the power of] darkness, brethren, for that day to overtake you by surprise like a thief. 5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we do not belong either to the night or to darkness. 6 Accordingly then, let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious, and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected, and circumspect). 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But we belong to the day; therefore, let us be sober and put on the breastplate (corslet) of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not appointed us to [incur His] wrath [He did not select us to condemn us], but [that we might] obtain [His] salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). AMPC