“He Comes Like a Thief”

People often use “He Comes Like a Thief” to mean Jesus’ appearing must be a total surprise to everyone. “If He was coming at the end of the Tribulation, it wouldn’t be a surprise.” But is that what He means?

The “Comes Like a Thief” analogy is found five times in connection with the return of Christ. Let’s take a tour through each instance, and examine its context.

Matthew 24:43

Jesus told a short parable about a master of a house and a thief. “But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Mt 24:43-44).

Jesus is clearly speaking to His disciples.  Does Jesus mean His coming must surprise believers?  No; otherwise He wouldn’t have commanded us to watch.  In Matthew 24:32-34, He tells how to know when His coming is imminent–when we have seen “all these things” (Mt 24:4-29).

What does it mean to watch or be ready?  Jesus tells three more parables (Mt 24:45-51, Mt 25:1-13, Mt 25:14-30), all contrasting people who abide in their faith with people who fall away.  “Watch” seems to mean abide in Christ.  To abide is to accept or act in accordance with an authority’s word.  We abide in Christ if we continue to believe and obey what He has taught us.

1 Thessalonians 5:2, 4

“For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.”  Here’s another contrast. This Day won’t overtake “you” as a thief. The reason given for the Day of the Lord not overtaking you as a thief is not because you are taken off the planet first, but rather, because you walk in the light—you abide in Christ (1 Th 5:4-10).  For more on this passage, see But We Won’t Suffer Wrath.

2 Peter 3:10

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pe 3:10-13).  Here again is a contrast of behavior.  Are we persons engaged in holy conduct and godliness?

Revelation 3:3

“Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.” These are some of Jesus’ words to the church of Sardis.  They know the truth, but they need to hold fast to what they were taught.  They know the truth, but they have need for repentance.  Essentially, if they don’t abide, He’ll come upon them as a thief.  The exhortations Jesus gave the Christians in Sardis and these other first century churches are still relevant to us today as we wait for the second coming of Christ.  Jesus didn’t return to the first century Sardinian believers, but they all died—likely too, on a day they did not expect.  When death came, had they remained in Him?  Or had they turned away in belief or works?

Revelation 16:15

The final coming “as a thief” is included within a description of the sixth bowl of wrath: “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”  During this time, the armies will be assembling in Armageddon (Rv 16:16), near the very end of the Tribulation.  The believers who observe it, like us today in whatever trials we face, are expected to keep their faith and obedience to Jesus.  Jesus’ reference to nakedness reflects His exhortation to the lukewarm Laodiceans (Rv 3:17-18).  Of course, Jesus is not talking about physically sleeping in clothes, but abiding in Christ.  “And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (Rv 19:8).

“Comes Like a Thief”, in context of usage, is not about Jesus’ appearing being a total surprise, but refers to the righteous judgment of God on the wicked (when Jesus returns).