Text: I Thessalonians 5:1-9
1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ...
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It is a common saying that "Jesus is coming soon". This refers to the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to gather the elect, that is those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus and have confessed Him as Lord over their lives.
As much as it seems like this second coming tarries, believers must ensure that they stand their guard, keep the faith and not distracted by the affairs of the world and its pleasures. Most importantly, Christians should not sleep (that is we should not lose focus or we should not allow the enemy to distract us from the faith.
According to the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, the virgins were all qualified and ready to meet the bridegroom, but while they waited, they all fell asleep before the arrival of the bridegroom and they lost focus for that moment. If the foolish virgins had not fallen asleep, they would have known on time that their oil could not sustain them. They would have gone to get more oil before the arrival of the bridegroom.
Matthew 25:5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Another danger of sleeping is that the enemy can manipulate a man while he is sleeping. (Matthew 13:24-25). This sleep can be likened to a time of rest from spiritual activities, prayerlessness, doubt, weariness, etc. This is why we must always ensure that we stand firm in the Lord at all times, praying fervently, studying God's word, keeping the faith as we earnestly await the day of the Lord, for we know surely that He will come. (John 14:2-3)
Matthew 13:24Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
There is a common hymn that days "Christian seek not yet repose.. ." No matter how weak or strong you are in the faith, you must not rest, relax or fall back because our enemy never rests at pulling down believers. (I Peter 5:8; John 10:10)
1 Peter 5:8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
The day of the Lord will come suddenly, unannounced like a thief in the night. At that time, there will be no more room for repentance or forgiveness. The Lord is coming for an harvest of souls - those who remain clean, washed by the blood of the lamb, and who are longing for the coming of His kingdom. (2 Timothy 4:8)