Thief in the Night

Heresies and Destructive Doctrines

The Thief in the Night

Our Lord Jesus spent much time teaching the times and seasons of His coming, so that we will not to be deceived by the heresy that `the Day of the Lord comes as the thief in the night '. He gave a full and detail account of End-time events. Thus, those who still believes and teaches that `the Day of the Lord comes as the thief in the night ' will suffer great losses and will finally end up in eternal damnation. This heretic teaching denies that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Almighty God, because all His teachings of the `End-time' cannot be the truth and to be ignored for it can be trusted. This false teaching suggests that His `End-time' prophecies and warnings were wrong, thus implying that our Lord Jesus is not only a false teacher but also a false prophet. This is indeed blasphemy. Repent brethren, and remove such false teachings and teachers (if unrepented) from your fellowships and congregations.

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 1Thes 5:1 (NKJ)

Since our Lord Jesus had already taught in great detail when He would call His elect back to the heavenly home, the `above scripture' is clear that concerning the times and the seasons of the `Day of the Lord', Christians, then, do not need any further instruction.

An example taken from the Gospel of Matthew 24.

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" Matt 24:3 (NKJ)

When the disciples asked our Lord Jesus concerning the times and the seasons of His coming and the end of the age, He told them in great details of His coming. Please read Matthew 24; Mark 13; and Luke17:26-37, 21:5-36.

The Times and the Seasons

By diligently studying the Scriptures concerning the times and the seasons in the last days, the mystery of the kingdom of God may be revealed to you. Thus by regrouping 1 Thess 5:1-9 into 3 groups of 'YOU', 'THEY', and 'WE', and rephrasing them with emphasis, we will have a clear and definite revelation.

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For (:4) you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that the day of the Lord should overtake you as a thief. (:5)You are all sons of light and sons of the day (Group YOU). And you yourselves know perfectly that

the day of the Lord so comes

as a thief in the night (to them). For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, and they shall not escape. (:7)For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night (Group THEY)

as labor pains upon a pregnant woman (to us). (:5b) We are not of the night nor of darkness. (:6) Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. (:8) But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. (:9) For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Group WE)

`Group YOU' represents the inherent position of born-again Christians.

`Group THEY' represents those misled Christians who believe that that Day will come as a thief in the night,

`Group WE' represents watchful Christians who believe that that Day will come as labor pains upon a pregnant woman.

By studying these groups carefully, you will realize that the Lord is particular that we take this topic seriously. It is a matter of life and death; not only to you alone, but also to all those under your care.

(Group 'YOU') Sons of the light and of the day

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that the day of the Lord should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day.

As Christians, you have the light in you, and you no longer dwell in darkness, for God Himself will teach and enlighten you from His word the times and the seasons as they come along provided you seek Him with all your heart. He will also reveal to you the mysteries of the kingdom of God when you are truly His disciple. They will know that in the last days they will be 2 distinct groups of Christians.

(Group THEY) - The carnal, worldly, nominal and sleeping Christians

(Group WE) - The spiritual, godly, faithful and watchful Christians

(Group THEY) Sons of darkness (as a thief in the night)

The day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, and they shall not escape. (:7) For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

If the day of the Lord should come as a thief in the night, this group of Christians will face sudden destruction and they shall not escape this calamity. If this is the case, then God would be wasting His time (and ours also) describing in great details the events in the lasts days. According to most theologians, about 10% of the Bible is on the endtime topic. When asked by His disciples, our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt 24, Mark 13, Luke 21) described clearly the signs of His coming. Though no one knows the actual day and the hour of His coming, He warned us to be watchful for these signs and to pray that we will continue to do His work in accordance to His will and timing. Because of ignorance, a great majority of church leaders and pastors teach this view that the day of the Lord comes as a theif in the night and, unfortunately, many Christians are being led astray. Even the elects (learned Christians) are caught making this mistake, which is an abomination to God.

Mystery of the thief

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy..." John 10:10a

steal - all the precious possessions (the rewards of the righteous works in the Lord.

1Cor 3:14-15, Matt 16:27, Luke 6:35, Col 2:18, Heb 2:2, 2 John 1:8)

kill - all lives in the household, i.e. family members servants and possibly friends

(loss of salvation by denying the Lord, accepting the mark of the beast '666', etc.)

destroy - all the contents in the house. (destruction of our faith in the word of God,

the power of the message of the Cross, etc.)

These 'Group THEY' Christians will suffer tremendous losses with the possibilities of even losing their salvation. Their final destiny may be the lake of fire. Not only will they perish, their loved ones (whole family, friends and sheep under their care) will also perish with them, all because of their blindness.

This 'Group THEY' is represented by the great harlot (Mystery, Babylon the great) in Chapter 17 of the Book of Revelation.

(Group We) Sons of the day As labor pains upon a pregnant woman

This 'Group WE' godly Christians see the day of the Lord as labor pains of a pregnant woman. A pregnant woman will wisely calculate to find out the estimated day of conception. About 40 weeks thereafter will be the expected date of delivery. However, as the days pass by, her sign of pregnancy will become more obvious. When the day of expectancy is nearer, she still will not know the day and the hour of delivery. The moment the labor pains come upon her, she knows that it is time for the birth of the child. During this period the pain will become more and more intense though no one knows the hour of delivery. The labor pains indicate the proximity of the child's birth, which may range from an hour to as long as even one or two days.

Similarly, we will be able to calculate the approximate date of the expectancy of the Lord's return. Though it may be a rough indication, it is a guide. Together with the careful watching of the signs as indicated in the Bible, we will be able to rejoice in seeing and experiencing these prophecies fulfilled (sign of pregnancy more obsverse). Then when the Beginning of Sorrows begins (just as the labor pains of a pregnant woman), we know that our salvation is at hand (birth of the child). Through persecutions, tribulations, sufferings and endurances, we will walk with renewed strength for the His glorious appearing is at hand.

"A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you." John 16:21-22.

This 'Group WE' is represented by the glorious woman in Chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation.

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord,

the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only

but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Tim 4:8 1

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 2 Pet 2:1-3

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