The Father's Menu

Apostle Dr. Richard Udoh

Thursday, September 15, 2022

LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT!

“Keep watch! I come unannounced, like a thief. You’re blessed if, awake and dressed, you’re ready for me. Too bad if you’re found running through the streets, naked and ashamed.”
Revelation 16:15
Main Text: Matthew 24:38

Jesus is prophesying that just as in Noah's day, people will be dominated with the temporary affairs of this life instead of eternal spiritual truths, when Jesus returns. Before our Lord's second return, there will be plenty of signs to show that the time is drawing near, but few will heed them. Preoccupation with the affairs of this life can dull us to the spiritual realm. 

The Lord kindly but seriously, points out the urgent need to be ready for His return. In the same way that a thief comes when people are the least prepared, so our Lord will return in a time when people are not looking for Him.

This is not because our Lord desires to surprise everyone and see how many He can catch unprepared. On the contrary, He is urging us to be watchful so that we will be prepared. Jesus gave us the signs of the end times to help us be prepared. He is simply prophesying that there will be a condition of apathy in the latter days that will tend to lull even the faithful to sleep if they don't take heed to His words.

Believers will not be assembled on a mountaintop somewhere waiting for the Lord's return. They will still be going about their daily routines. The Lord told us to 'occupy till I come' (Lk. 19:13). We should be ready for the Lord to come back at any moment, yet work as if His return was still far off.

Prayer:

FATHER, I ask for empowerment and the spirit of discipline to live ready for the Lord’s coming! May I not miss my reunion with my first Lord in Jesus name, Amen!

Further Reading 

Matthew 24:43-44  “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”

1 Thessalonians 5:2 “For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.”

Read through the Bible in 1 year: Isaiah 19:1-21:17 Galatians 2:1-16 Psalm 59:1-17 Proverbs 23:13-14

Read through the Bible in 2 years: 2 Chr 35-36 & Ps 72