THIEF IN THE NIGHT

INTRODUCTION

Thief in the night should capture the attention of all in a saying: Take heed, have open eyes, for thieves do foot by night. We are seeing the demise of national identity, religious freedom, once held morals, and other identifiable traits of a godly nation, through thievery by the ungodly.

Thief in the Night
Works of Darkness

Apostle Paul wrote: Have no fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (expose) them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret (Ephesians 5:11-12). We are living in a time that the sinful nature of man is being openly proclaimed with pride; and if there is opposition, it is as little David facing the giant Goliath!

It was noted that the reason why the Christian must expose the sins of the lost is expressed in the fact that if it is shameful even to discuss such iniquities in decent company, but how much worse is the committing of those sins! Hence, the need to bring them to the light of the Gospel!

Breakdown of Values

Many nations are suffering a humanity breakdown of values. Many individuals displeased with their way of life; as a thief in the night, seek to gain access towards a heavenly reward; by their own terms, without conformity to the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God!

Apostle John wrote: He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber (John 10:1). We are seeing nations robbed of once held moral convictions; with once held biblical values bypassed.

Way of Destruction

Jesus said: Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life few there be that find it (Matthew 7:13-14).

It was noted that enter in at the strait gate means that one must come through the narrow gate in order to reach the path that leads to eternal life. Christ is both the gate and the way and God enables men to find that gate!

Counsel of the Ungodly

There is an impasse (deadlock) with nations suffering from a lack of godly morals once held. There is little "troubling of the soul" with many swallowing the bitter pill of deceit, that has been offered, with little understanding as to the consequences for having done so.

The Psalmist wrote: Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly (wicked), nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord: and in his law does he mediate day and night (Psalm 1:1-2).

There is a troublesome path that lies before one; as a thief in the night, when the wrong choice is made! Such can have drastic consequences in this life as well as the one to come! The Psalmist revealed: The Lord knows the way of the righteous but the way of the ungodly shall perish (Psalm 1:6).

Day of the Lord

Apostle Paul wrote: For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2). It was noted that we are seeing a closing in on such a day as wickedness becomes more prominent; with many having lost the fear of God, and coming into acceptance of the ungodly! The pursuit of wicked ways exceeds any desire for the righteousness of God.

Apostle Peter wrote: The heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word (as in the pre-Flood days of Noah), are kept in store, reserved unto fire against (until) the day of judgment, and perdition (destruction) of ungodly men (2 Peter 3:7). But the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation (conduct) and godliness (2 Peter 3:10-11). The elements shall melt with fervent heat could refer to a nuclear holocaust, a cosmic happening, or God simply performing the feat as He did in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah!

New Heavens
And a New Earth

Apostle Peter wrote: Nevertheless we (the believer in Christ), according to his promise, look for a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness. Wherefore, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless (2 Peter 3:13-14).

It was noted that God's original creation of the earth was without blemish; until the serpent (an instrument of Satan) deceived Adam and Eve into partaking of the forbidden fruit. Apostle John revealed the fate of the one, who through deception, brought sin into the world: And the devil that deceived them (mankind) was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone (Hell), where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever (Revelation 20:10).

Warning to the Believer

Apostle Peter wrote: Seeing you (the believer) know these things before (beforehand), beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from you own steadiness (2 Peter 3:17). We are seeing this happening as many, who once walked in the holiness of the Lord, are beginning to migrate into a secular world rather than a dedicated walk with Christ.

Apostle Peter further noted: Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever (2 Peter 3:18). When one yields their heart and life over to the Lord, there comes a peace that comes into one's life that excels all else!

Jesus said: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).

Being Prepared

Jesus said: The kingdom of heaven is likened to ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in there vessels with their lamps (Matthew 25:1-4).

And the foolish said to the wise, give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone (going) out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us, and you: but go rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage (wedding); and the door was shut (Matthew 25:8-10).

One has the personage of Jesus, through Word and Spirit, to lead and guide them through the difficulties of life, with a peace that excels all else! I pray that such a peace dwells in you; that when the Lord comes, as a thief in the night (an unexpected time), you will be prepared to meet Him, as the five wise virgins!

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THIEF IN THE NIGHT

INTRODUCTION