Thief In The Night
Living with Hope: Awaiting the Return of the King
As we near the end of our series in In The Meantime on Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, today’s reflection brings us to a powerful promise: the return of Jesus. Paul’s words on this subject weren’t just a theological concept but a message of hope to a persecuted, fledgling church. He reminded the Thessalonians—and us—that Jesus will one day come back to set everything right. And that in the meantime, we can live in hopeful expectation of this “thief in the night” moment, knowing it’s not a threat but a beautiful promise.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, Paul begins by addressing a concern within the Thessalonian community: “What will happen to our loved ones who have already died?” Would they miss the chance to meet Jesus? Paul reassures them that whether we are alive or have passed on, those who trust in Christ will be with Him forever. The image he paints—of the trumpet call, the resurrection of the dead, and being caught up to meet Jesus—is a vision of hope meant to console, not to frighten.
It’s a picture that has inspired and challenged believers for generations. Yet, as Paul emphasizes, this isn’t about predicting the future or instilling fear. It’s about encouraging each other and building up our faith as we wait for that day.
Encouragement, Not Fear
When we hear terms like “thief in the night” or references to the rapture, it’s easy to recall the fear-based teachings or movies that cast Jesus’ return as a sudden, terrifying event. Yet, Paul’s message here was designed to encourage a persecuted church—to let them know they hadn’t been abandoned and that Jesus was indeed coming back to restore all things.
Paul’s vision of Jesus’ return invites us to live fully for Christ right now, spreading the good news and loving our communities. Rather than worry about the exact timing or sequence of events, Paul’s emphasis was that Jesus will return, and until then, our job is to live as citizens of His kingdom.
A Life of Readiness
In the first verses of chapter 5, Paul reminds us that Jesus’ return will be sudden, “like a thief in the night,” an echo of Jesus’ own words in Matthew 24. But, as Paul clarifies, this is not a warning for believers to live in fear. It’s a call to live expectantly, to be spiritually awake and engaged, to focus on love, faith, and hope, rather than being caught up in speculation.
We’re called to be “children of the light,” living in a way that reflects the character of Jesus, bringing His light into a world often filled with darkness. This isn’t a checklist or a timeline; it’s an invitation to live authentically and faithfully, every day, “in the meantime.”
Not a Theology of Escape, but of Hope
Many of us were raised with a particular view of the rapture, shaped by popular media and theological interpretations that emphasize being “left behind.” But Paul’s focus is not on fear of abandonment. It’s on the hope of restoration. Jesus’ return isn’t about leaving the world in ruins; it’s about making all things new.
Our hope is not in escaping hardship but in the return of the King who will set everything right. Paul’s message encourages us to live with purpose, knowing that Jesus’ coming will bring the ultimate restoration. In the words of Paul, it’s less about when or how and more about living for Him fully, knowing He is coming back.
Faith, Love, and the Hope of Salvation
As we await Jesus’ return, Paul reminds us to “put on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet” (1 Thess. 5:8). These are our spiritual defenses in a world that often pulls us away from God. Paul’s closing words remind us that Jesus “died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.” This is the essence of the gospel: that through Christ, we have a life with Him now and for eternity.
Living in Light of Jesus’ Return
While the specifics of Jesus’ return might be unknown, what’s clear is the invitation to live each day reflecting His love and grace. We don’t need to be anxious about “the day or the hour”; instead, we’re called to live expectantly and faithfully, finding peace in the knowledge that all will be made right.
So, let’s encourage each other with these words, letting our hope in Jesus’ return fuel our love and our purpose. Together, as Paul urged, let’s live as citizens of His kingdom now—living fully, loving deeply, and sharing the good news in every way we can in the meantime.
May we wait with joy, anticipation, and the knowledge that one day, Jesus will return, and “all shall be well.”