Invite the Thief
In the Scriptures, we are told several times that the Lord’s Second Coming will occur like a “thief” in the night. Look at these verses:
“But about the day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father...therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Matthew 24:36,42-44 (NIV)
“Look! I (Christ) come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.” Revelation 16:15 (NIV)
“Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 (NIV)
“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 (NIV)
This theme or motif - the Lord’s Coming as a thief - appears enough times in the Scripture, through several different authors, that it is worth a closer look. What does it mean for the Lord’s Coming to be like a “thief in the night?”
If we can think according to the Spirit and not the letter, we will understand that the thief analogy is a metaphor. Christ constantly communicated (and communicates!) spiritual realities through natural examples. The thief in the night is no exception. So, deciphering the analogy from Matthew 24:
The House: The human heart and mind, where the indwelling Spirit currently “resides,” restoring and renewing the warped human condition to match the glory and perfection of the divine image. This is what it means for God’s kingdom to be glorified in us and through us (2 Thessalonians 10; 2 Peter 1:19). The owner of the house is us.
The Day of the Lord: the fullest realization and manifestation of the kingdom of heaven in us and around us, when God’s purposes and presence will be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:28).
The Night: The darkness, sin, ignorance, and error of the old creation order that is in the process of passing away. The new creation, the kingdom of God, is already amongst us and growing (Mark 1:15). The true light of Christ is already shining - the sun has begun to rise over the horizon of humanity’s spiritual destiny (1 John 2:8).
The Thief: Christ Himself, who condescends to identify with sinners (He hung next to a thief on the cross). His objective? The treasure of the human heart. Where our hearts are, there our treasure is (Matthew 6:21). He desires that all of our being become His, in and through love.
What is the Lord’s instruction? Stay awake. This is about a lot more than simply expecting a day when Jesus will appear on a cloud in the earth’s atmosphere. This is spiritual awakening - the restoration and renewal into the divine image through the fire of the divine presence. This is why the ten virgins are instructed to keep their lamps trimmed and burning (Matthew 25:1-13). We are responsible for what God has already given us - the fullness of His presence (Ephesians 1:3)!
This all means that the proverbial “Second Coming” may be less about an instantaneous moment in which a physical Jesus comes to destroy and remake the world, but a veiled yet extraordinary and all-encompassing spiritual awakening, in which the ascended Christ “comes” fully into the minds, hearts, and bodies of His people, everywhere. His spiritual fire will burn away what does not belong in God’s kingdom, and lay the motives and intents of the heart bare. This is what perhaps what Peter means in 2 Peter 3:10 above: “The elements (our spiritual condition) will be destroyed (restored and renewed) with fire (God’s presence), the earth (the human heart) will be laid bare (made pure).”
Those who are awake (attuned to the presence of God) will be able to discern the coming of the thief. Those who sleep (in sin and rebellion) will not. This is why Christ urges us in Revelation to “remain clothed.” To be clothed with Christ is to faithfully steward His presence and mind. Ultimately, times and dates are not relevant, as Paul states in 1 Thessalonians- spiritual aliveness is.
As we remain awake and ready for the thief through spiritual practice, we won’t feel compelled to prevent Him from breaking in. Rather, we will invite Him fully into our hearts with gentleness and reverence. As we do so, we manifest the Lord’s kingdom and hasten its fullness (2 Peter 3:12).
So, remain spiritually awake. Invite the thief- do not despise His coming. In doing so, we will bring God’s kingdom into realization and manifestation.
