1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
If the Lord’s coming is the entering into eternal joy for His redeemed people, for those who do not believe it is the signal of swift destruction (Luke 17:26-30). A blissful anticipation for the former but a total, terrible surprise for the rest! Alas, in practice the distinction is far from being always so clear-cut! Some "children of light" have hidden their candle under the bushel or the bed (Mark 4:21). They are asleep and spiritual sleep is a state which resembles death. What is its cause? As a rule it is a lack of sobriety. To get drunk (with its consequent stupor) is a wasteful use of money and time (Luke 12:45-46). And when a man is only half-awake about heavenly matters but very concerned about matters down here, how can he long for the Lord’s return? We who are of the day, "let us not sleep, as do others" (v. 6), "as others which have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13), for fear that the sudden arrival of our Master should also take us by surprise. Let us read once again the Lord’s solemn words in Mark 13:33-37. We should often ask ourselves this question: Would I wish the Lord to find me doing what I am now doing, to find me saying or thinking what I am now saying or thinking?