Warning: Don't be caught sleeping when the "Thief" comes!

[Vine Abider]

When I read and prayed over these verses in Daily Light (evening entry), I was reminded of the Lord's warning to be watchful for His return, and to not be found by Him unaware, caught up in this life's affairs, and sleeping.  In several places the Lord portrays Himself as a thief, and that we should be vigilant to this fact (Matt 24:43, 1 Thess 5:2, Rev 16:15).  This is yet another indication that there are some conditions (and warning) to believers, in how we conduct ourselves.  We are not just waiting here, with our "ticket punched" all ready to go, and our attitudes and conduct makes no difference.  No, again and again we are exhorted to watch and pray, "run the race," "pursue the Lord" and build His house with His designated fireproof materials (1 Cor 3:10-15).  Oh saints, may we all be active and diligent in preparing ourselves for His soon return!

 

What do you mean, sleeper? Arise. 

This is not your rest … it is defiled, it shall destroy. § Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. § If riches increase, do not set your heart on them. § Set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. Therefore arise.

Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation. § Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

While the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. § Yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry § Now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. § Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—lest, coming suddenly, He find you sleeping.

Jonah 1:6; Mic. 2:10; Col. 3:2; Ps. 62:10; 1 Chron. 22:19;
Luke 22:46; 21:34; Matt. 25:5; Heb. 10:37; Rom. 13:11; Mark 13:35–36

[Marathoner]

It's a warning to the unfaithful steward. One must be known by Him to be accounted faithful or unfaithful stewards; those who are not His, are neither. I have overheard these exhortations coming from the religious for many years, and note how many who deliver them are ensnared by the world: with one breath they praise the Lord, and with the next they hate their neighbor and judge others harshly. 

The Lord is that thief to the unfaithful steward, not the false. 

[Vine Abider]

1 hour ago, Marathoner said:

It's a warning to the unfaithful steward. One must be known by Him to be accounted faithful or unfaithful stewards; those who are not His, are neither. I have overheard these exhortations coming from the religious for many years, and note how many who deliver them are ensnared by the world: with one breath they praise the Lord, and with the next they hate their neighbor and judge others harshly. 

The Lord is that thief to the unfaithful steward, not the false. 

Agreed. As believers we are encouraged to be diligent and abide in the True Vine, and if we do, we are supplied by His wonderful, buoyant life.  It truly is only His life in us that overcomes, and this includes the strength for us to run the race and avoiding drowsiness, etc.

The saints who are diligent to remain in Him and are energized to watch for the return (i.e., "Thief"), they will be rewarded.  The ones who are not, will not be rewarded.  (of course, they have been reborn with His eternal life, so this does not impact their eternal security in Christ)

[Ani Tefillah]

3 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

When I read and prayed over these verses in Daily Light (evening entry), I was reminded of the Lord's warning to be watchful for His return, and to not be found by Him unaware, caught up in this life's affairs, and sleeping.  In several places the Lord portrays Himself as a thief, and that we should be vigilant to this fact (Matt 24:43, 1 Thess 5:2, Rev 16:15).  This is yet another indication that there are some conditions (and warning) to believers, in how we conduct ourselves.  We are not just waiting here, with our "ticket punched" all ready to go, and our attitudes and conduct makes no difference.  No, again and again we are exhorted to watch and pray, "run the race," "pursue the Lord" and build His house with His designated fireproof materials (1 Cor 3:10-15).  Oh saints, may we all be active and diligent in preparing ourselves for His soon return!

 

What do you mean, sleeper? Arise. 

This is not your rest … it is defiled, it shall destroy. § Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. § If riches increase, do not set your heart on them. § Set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. Therefore arise.

Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation. § Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

While the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. § Yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry § Now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. § Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—lest, coming suddenly, He find you sleeping.

Jonah 1:6; Mic. 2:10; Col. 3:2; Ps. 62:10; 1 Chron. 22:19;
Luke 22:46; 21:34; Matt. 25:5; Heb. 10:37; Rom. 13:11; Mark 13:35–36

Amen! I have "The daily light", too, even in English! 😊 I found it in a second hand store here in Norway 🇳🇴 some years ago, and it has been a daily delight for me. 🆙 🎶 🆙 

[debrakay]

When I saw this title I automatically wanted to say "And don't get caught without your lamp wick trimmed and oil for your lamp when the Bridegroom comes!"  Matthew 25 tells the whole story.  Be ready!

'The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ' Matthew 25:4

[AdHoc]

The return of the Lord is is taught by scripture to be delayed for an unspecified time.

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a FAR country, who called his own servants,
...
19 After a LONG time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them (Matt.25:14–19).

But scripture also teaches that one should expect it in your lifetime. In 1st Thessalonians 5:23, Paul, having quieted the sorrow of the living saints for the departed, prays that the Lord would keep the living "whole". And he defines what is "whole". "Whole" means body soul and spirit still together - that is - alive. At death a man is torn asunder. You "give UP" the ghost and your body returns to the elements.

On His return, Jesus travels from the highest heaven to Mount Olives. On the way He stops in the clouds to receive, and judge, the Church (1st Thess.4:12-18). But immediately an anomaly seems to appear. We have scriptures showing the saints who are diligent and intimate with the Lord receiving Promises of being in the air (1st Thess.4:17) and avoiding what will come upon the earth (Lk.21:35-36, Rev.3:10) and we have scriptures showing Christians on earth during this time (Rev.7:14, 12:17, 13:7 & 18:4). The picture of the Lord as a Thief answers this. A Thief comes stealthily, unexpected, in the night, at the circadian low FOR THAT WHICH IS PRECIOUS.

Is it not then clear? In the multiple scriptures concerning being ready, it is a serious matter to be found entangled with this life. As Matthew 24 says, the flood of Noah's time took them while they  were doing "normal" things.

In this matter we must make a difference between the sleeping of the drunk and the sleeping of death. The Lord has delayed now for close to 2,000 years. Many saints have fallen asleep - their 70 years being lived out. The sleep of the five wise Virgins was the same as that of the foolish. They all awoke at the same time. They were all called to meet the Bridegroom. The foolish are in all points the same as the wise except one - they thought the oil in their VESSELS (not lamps) was for free. The parable is NOT about salvation. It is about the Kingdom - when, as Daniel 2 to Revelation 11:15 shows, Jesus comes back to earth and establishes an everlasting kingdom ON EARTH. The company of Matthew 7:21-23, the Servants with the Talents and the Virgins were all saved. The question was; Were they qualified for the kingdom?

[Marilyn C]

7 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

When I read and prayed over these verses in Daily Light (evening entry), I was reminded of the Lord's warning to be watchful for His return, and to not be found by Him unaware, caught up in this life's affairs, and sleeping.  In several places the Lord portrays Himself as a thief, and that we should be vigilant to this fact (Matt 24:43, 1 Thess 5:2, Rev 16:15).  This is yet another indication that there are some conditions (and warning) to believers, in how we conduct ourselves.  We are not just waiting here, with our "ticket punched" all ready to go, and our attitudes and conduct makes no difference.  No, again and again we are exhorted to watch and pray, "run the race," "pursue the Lord" and build His house with His designated fireproof materials (1 Cor 3:10-15).  Oh saints, may we all be active and diligent in preparing ourselves for His soon return!

 

Good warning there VA. Now, when the Lord ascended to the Father, we know He sent His Holy Spirit to tell us more things -

`But you, brethren, are not in darkness that this day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.` 1 Thess. 5: 4 & 5)

`exhorting, (encouraging and warning) one another, and so much the more as you SEE the Day approaching.` (Heb. 10: 25) 

I personally take heart at what the Lord has said to us, His Body, which is further revelation than to Israel in the gospels. I believe the Holy Spirit will quicken our spirits the closer we get to the Lord`s coming. We wont be taken unawares if we are `eagerly waiting for Him. 

`To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time.` (Heb. 9: 28)

[Marilyn C]

2 hours ago, AdHoc said:

The return of the Lord is is taught by scripture to be delayed for an unspecified time.

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a FAR country, who called his own servants,
...
19 After a LONG time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them (Matt.25:14–19).

But scripture also teaches that one should expect it in your lifetime. In 1st Thessalonians 5:23, Paul, having quieted the sorrow of the living saints for the departed, prays that the Lord would keep the living "whole". And he defines what is "whole". "Whole" means body soul and spirit still together - that is - alive. At death a man is torn asunder. You "give UP" the ghost and your body returns to the elements.

On His return, Jesus travels from the highest heaven to Mount Olives. On the way He stops in the clouds to receive, and judge, the Church (1st Thess.4:12-18). But immediately an anomaly seems to appear. We have scriptures showing the saints who are diligent and intimate with the Lord receiving Promises of being in the air (1st Thess.4:17) and avoiding what will come upon the earth (Lk.21:35-36, Rev.3:10) and we have scriptures showing Christians on earth during this time (Rev.7:14, 12:17, 13:7 & 18:4). The picture of the Lord as a Thief answers this. A Thief comes stealthily, unexpected, in the night, at the circadian low FOR THAT WHICH IS PRECIOUS.

Is it not then clear? In the multiple scriptures concerning being ready, it is a serious matter to be found entangled with this life. As Matthew 24 says, the flood of Noah's time took them while they  were doing "normal" things.

In this matter we must make a difference between the sleeping of the drunk and the sleeping of death. The Lord has delayed now for close to 2,000 years. Many saints have fallen asleep - their 70 years being lived out. The sleep of the five wise Virgins was the same as that of the foolish. They all awoke at the same time. They were all called to meet the Bridegroom. The foolish are in all points the same as the wise except one - they thought the oil in their VESSELS (not lamps) was for free. The parable is NOT about salvation. It is about the Kingdom - when, as Daniel 2 to Revelation 11:15 shows, Jesus comes back to earth and establishes an everlasting kingdom ON EARTH. The company of Matthew 7:21-23, the Servants with the Talents and the Virgins were all saved. The question was; Were they qualified for the kingdom?

Most of your comments are from what the Lord said to the people of Israel. We are not Israel, and the Lord has sent His Holy Spirit to give us revelation pertaining to us. We do not have an earthly inheritance but a heavenly one with the Lord on His own throne in the third heaven. 

`To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne...` (Rev. 3: 21)

 

THE BODY OF CHRIST`S INHERITANCE IS IN HEAVEN.

Our inheritance, our hope, our place, our citizenship, all of which are IN HEAVEN.

 `...to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.` (1 Peter 1: 4 )

` ...because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of truth..`(Col. 1: 5)

` ...and raised us up together and made to sit in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.`(Eph. 2: 6)

` For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly await for the  Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.` (Phil. 3: 20)

(New King James)

 

[AdHoc]

19 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

Most of your comments are from what the Lord said to the people of Israel. We are not Israel, and the Lord has sent His Holy Spirit to give us revelation pertaining to us. We do not have an earthly inheritance but a heavenly one with the Lord on His own throne in the third heaven. 

`To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne...` (Rev. 3: 21)

 

THE BODY OF CHRIST`S INHERITANCE IS IN HEAVEN.

Our inheritance, our hope, our place, our citizenship, all of which are IN HEAVEN.

 `...to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.` (1 Peter 1: 4 )

` ...because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of truth..`(Col. 1: 5)

` ...and raised us up together and made to sit in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.`(Eph. 2: 6)

` For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly await for the  Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.` (Phil. 3: 20)

(New King James)

 

 

19 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

Most of your comments are from what the Lord said to the people of Israel. We are not Israel, and the Lord has sent His Holy Spirit to give us revelation pertaining to us. We do not have an earthly inheritance but a heavenly one with the Lord on His own throne in the third heaven. 

`To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne...` (Rev. 3: 21)

 

THE BODY OF CHRIST`S INHERITANCE IS IN HEAVEN.

Our inheritance, our hope, our place, our citizenship, all of which are IN HEAVEN.

 `...to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.` (1 Peter 1: 4 )

` ...because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of truth..`(Col. 1: 5)

` ...and raised us up together and made to sit in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.`(Eph. 2: 6)

` For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly await for the  Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.` (Phil. 3: 20)

(New King James)

 

You contradict the Lord Himself. If it's parable it ISN'T for Israel.

Revelation 3:21 does not give the position or locality of HIS (Jesus') Throne. But Matthew 25:31-32 does - before ALL Nations - unless of course "ALL Nations" including the goats, go to heaven.

1st Peter 1:4 and Colossians 1:5 tells where your inheritance is reserved. Not where it will be executed.

12 And, behold, I COME quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be (Rev.22:12).

Ephesians 2:6 is aorist. You should be in heaven but you are not. "IN Christ" states your status because you had your origin in Christ. With your application 1st Corinthians 4:15 makes Paul God the Father.

"Citizenship" does not state the whereabouts of a man or woman. Jesus, a Citizen of heaven, was on earth for over 33 years. During that time He prayed to the Father; "Thy Kingdom COME ... "

 15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Rev.11:15).

 

 

[Marilyn C]

5 hours ago, AdHoc said:

 

You contradict the Lord Himself. If it's parable it ISN'T for Israel.

Revelation 3:21 does not give the position or locality of HIS (Jesus') Throne. But Matthew 25:31-32 does - before ALL Nations - unless of course "ALL Nations" including the goats, go to heaven.

1st Peter 1:4 and Colossians 1:5 tells where your inheritance is reserved. Not where it will be executed.

12 And, behold, I COME quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be (Rev.22:12).

Ephesians 2:6 is aorist. You should be in heaven but you are not. "IN Christ" states your status because you had your origin in Christ. With your application 1st Corinthians 4:15 makes Paul God the Father.

"Citizenship" does not state the whereabouts of a man or woman. Jesus, a Citizen of heaven, was on earth for over 33 years. During that time He prayed to the Father; "Thy Kingdom COME ... "

 15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Rev.11:15).

 

 

`Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers....` (Rom. 15: 8)

Jesus spoke in parables to the people of Israel concerning the promises made to the fathers. 

God the Father tells us where Jesus` own throne is.

`God.....raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age BUT ALSO IN THAT WHICH IS TO COME.` (Eph. 1: 20 & 21)

The Body of Christ IS NOT JUDGED ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS. That is for those who are in the graves. (Rev. 20: 11 - 15) 

Rev. 22: 12 concerns the great white throne judgment and the Body of Christ is certainly NOT being judged but under the precious blood of Jesus. 

Our standing before God is in heaven for that is where Christ, the Head of the Body is. We are in Christ and spiritually we are joined to the Head. 

Jesus gave Israel the Lord`s prayer. Some of it is especially for them -

1.they have to forgive others before God forgives them. That is not so for us, the Father forgives us first and then we are able to forgive others. 

2. Israel has to pray for God`s kingdom rule to come to them. For us the Lord`s rule is already in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

 

As to the kingdoms of the world etc, that is at the end of the trib, and we are already in heaven. We have a heavenly calling whereas Israel has an earthly one.