Jesus was teaching about His Second Coming, which would be unexpected; the date and time would not be revealed in advance. Using the illustration of domestic burglary, Jesus said that householders are always shocked to find that thieves have ransacked their home. Why are they shocked? Do they not know that thieves exist and have operated in their town? Of course they know, but they do not believe that it will happen to them. This scenario is paradoxical, because Jesus is not a wicked thief; but His arrival will be as unforeseen as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

Thieves do not announce their arrival. If they did, then the householder would be prepared with sufficient force to see off the intruder. To be ready is to be safe. That was the point of what Jesus was saying to His disciples. They must always be alert to the fact that He could come back at any time; they must be ready as Peter affirmed (2 Peter 3:10-14).

By contrast, the world which assumes that they are safe, are really in danger when Jesus returns. Like those who were swept away by the flood, there will be no time to think again (repent) about their independence from Jesus (Matthew 24:37-39). Everything they have worked for will be destroyed (Luke 17:27). Their opportunity for salvation will have gone and they will have no protection. 'Salvation' and 'judgement' are two sides of the same coin. When salvation comes for the believers, judgement comes against the unbelievers.

Jesus was urging His trainee apostles, and the church which would be formed, to be ready, always ready, for His return. The very moment when self-indulgence can distract our focus could be the moment when the skies will burst open with glory. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 describes that scene, but it is followed by a warning not to be like the unbeliever who lives in the darkness of his/her God-excluded life. Paul concludes 1 Thessalonians with a call to action, "But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober." (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6). Those who say they love Jesus should be spiritually alert - living godly lives, joyfully anticipating that Jesus might join us at any moment. The prospect of Christ's return should encourage holiness in our lifestyle and fervour in our witness … so that our friends and colleagues will not be unprepared either.