Surprise!

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. 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 5:1-3)

There aren’t many surprises left in life. Parents can learn the gender of their baby months before the birth. You can check sports scores or breaking news instantly on your phone. Weather forecasters predict storms and temperatures two weeks in advance. There aren’t many surprises left in life.

Here’s one: The day of the Lord. Judgment Day. Paul doesn’t even bother to write about the time and date of Judgment Day. Why? Nobody knows. Nobody knows except God himself. Judgment Day will be a surprise to everyone. Like a thief in the night. Like labor pains on a pregnant woman. While there aren’t many surprises left in life, when Judgment Day comes, it will be a huge surprise.

So don’t believe anyone who tries to tell you when Judgment Day will be. People still do that, don’t they? It’s foolish. It’s wicked. Throughout the 1900s, the Jehovah’s Witnesses repeatedly predicted the end of the world. Were they right? Never. Any person who attempts to predict the date of Judgment Day is a false teacher and denier of God’s Word. Don’t listen to them!

Instead, be ready all the time. If the day of the Lord is going to be a surprise, when should we be ready? Today! Don’t ever put off repenting of the sins in your life. Jesus could return at any time! Don’t ever think that hearing God’s Word and growing in your faith in Jesus is something for you to do a few years from now. You may not have a few years left! Don’t ever make the excuse that sharing your faith in Jesus with friends and relatives can wait for a better time. You want them to be ready too!

Judgment Day will be the biggest surprise of all. Will it be a good one? That depends. That depends on your faith in Jesus. For those who don’t believe, “destruction will come on them suddenly.” But for those who do believe, Judgment Day is the day of our salvation. Are you ready for the surprise?

Dear Lord Jesus, you promise that you are coming back, and that the day of the Lord will come as a surprise. Help us to be ready for you today and every day through repentance and faith in you. Amen.

Pastor Nathan