Like a Thief

 “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”

— 2 Peter 3:10

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

Repeatedly, You said You would be coming like a thief. Revelation 3:3, “Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” Again in Revelation 16:15, “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

You warned Your disciples to stay awake and be watchful. Luke 12:39-40, “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Whatever timeline we think You will return, You made it clear… it will be at an hour when we won’t expect You. 

Repeatedly, You said that the heavens and the earth will pass away (Matt. 5:18, 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 16:17, Luke 21:33). In Luke 12:49, You say, “I have come to bring fire on the earth…” Yes, that day is coming. Isaiah 34:4 describes that day, “All the stars in the sky will be dissolved and the heavens rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree.” Fire will melt the earth’s elements and all matter will be dissolved. The earth and everything done in it will be exposed. Literally, “to be found, examined, discovered, detected.” Nothing will remain hidden in that moment. The destruction will be a complete disrobing of the earth so that everything in it and upon it is seen before the Lord. As Revelation 16:15 says, “shamefully exposed.”

Gracious Jesus, how terrible will that day be for those who are not ready. May I be awake and watchful for You. May I help others stay awake and be watchful. May Your Church be prepared for when You come at that hour when we do not expect You.

— In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

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