Thief!

2 Pet. 3: 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night…

The man looked this way and that before going through the bedroom window and slipping quietly into the house. The couple on the bed lay fast asleep and snoring loudly. He crept into the study and quietly went through the drawers of the desk and the filing cabinet, putting valuable small items into his knapsack. Returning to the bedroom, he carefully searched through the drawers and on top of furniture picking up cell phones, cash, etc. Carrying the heavy knapsack to the window, he put it down, then returned, picked up a notepad from the bedside table and left a note. It said:

If the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Matthew 24: 43

What a feisty thief! Even the owner of the home laughed when they read that note in the morning. But there is a serious reminder in that message. We need to watch; not just for thieves at night. We need to watch for the coming of Jesus.

Jesus says He will come as a thief – unexpectedly; yet He tells us that we ought to know when He is near. You see, He gave us signs to let us know. You know some of them, don’t you? Let me just remind you: war and political turmoil; rampant and deadly diseases; earthquakes and other natural disasters; people being proud, selfish, brutal and immoral; financial crises; many false prophets and false religions; hypocrisy in the church; and many backsliding. Are these things happening around us today? Remember that Jesus said, “When you see these things happening, know that my coming is near…”.

here is one other sign I want to mention. Jesus said that just before He comes the Gospel will be preached in all the world. It is happening now and many people are coming to accept Jesus. The question is: with all these signs fulfilling around us, are you preparing for Jesus to come? Are you getting close to Jesus, confessing sins and seeking His help to drop bad habits? Do you spend more time in prayer and with the Word? Are you getting ready, or will He come (for you) like a thief in the night? If this happens, you will lose more than money and appliances. You will lose your life, for now and for eternity! Get ready now!

Dear Lord, help me to wake up to the seriousness of the times and the nearness of your coming. Help me to be ready I pray, in Jesus’ name, amen.