There is one great prophecy of scripture that remains unfulfilled—the second coming of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that on this day, “the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

This will be a day of great rejoicing for all who have placed their faith in Jesus.  But it will be a day of the beginning of terrible judgment for those who don’t know Jesus, and it will be a day that catches them by surprise, like a thief in the night the Bible says.  “For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3)

Many people don’t believe this will ever happen. You may even know people who scoff at the idea of Jesus coming again.  “They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?  Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:4)

It can seem that way, and with all the trouble in the world Christians sometimes wonder why Jesus is waiting so long to return.  Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  And Peter follows with advice as to how we can work with God to accomplish this purpose: “You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” (2 Peter 3:11-12)

That’s our task, to live holy and godly lives as we live in anticipation of this great event. It’s coming soon—be ready! Don’t let it surprise you like a thief in the night.