A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 2 · Part 2 · Subpart 49
The Coming of Christ compared to the Coming of a Thief in the Night.
1 Thess. 5.2.
But you your selves know perfectly, that the Day of the Lord so cometh, as a Thief in the Night.
THere are various Opinions concerning the Day of the Lord, or the Coming of Christ, spoken of, Mat. 24. Luke 21. 2 Pet. 3.9, 10. and in this Text. But if the Scope of the Text be but carefully considered, it will clearly appear, that the Coming of Christ here spoken of, is his Coming at the last Day to Judgment, when the Dead shall be raised. Read the latter part of the fourth Chapter, &c.
Why the Day of the Lord is compared to the Coming of a Thief in the Night, will appear by the following Parallel.
Simile.
I. THe coming of a Thief in the Night, is with a design to circumvent an unwatchful House, and to take his Prey.
II. A Thief comes provided for his purpose, with a resolution to fight, and Instruments to make way to his Design, Keys to unlock Doors, Bars to break them open, or the like.
III. A Thief comes at a Time when all is still, and People are least thoughtful of Danger, but are careless, at ease, even asleep upon their Beds, thinking themselves secure, till they are invaded, and their Goods taken away.
IV. The coming of a Thief into a House puts the careless Family into a great Fright, when they see themselves surprized, and cannot tell how to help it.
V. The approach of a Thief in the Night, makes the poor amazed Family to forget all their former Pleasures and Enjoyments, and expect no more than their Lives for a Prey, and glad would they be of them too.
VI. At the coming of a Thief in the Night, Execution is oftentimes done, to the Ruin of the People where he comes.
Parallel.
I. THe Coming of Christ, or Day of the Lord, will be with design to circumvent the careless Professors, who sleep in a sinful secure State, as if there was no God to fear, no Jesus Christ to look for, no Heaven to be sought, no Hell to be avoided; to such he will come, and seize them for his Prey, to cut them asunder, and appoint them their Portion with Ʋnbelievers and Reprobates.
II. Even so will the Lord Jesus Christ, at his second coming, be provided for his purpose, with Fire and Sword to accomplish his Design, which is to make a Desolation in the Earth: For by Fire and Sword shall the Lord plead with all Flesh, and the slain of the Lord shall be many. He shall be revealed from Heaven, with his mighty Angels, in Flames of Fire, 2 Thess. 1▪ 7, 8.&c.
III. The Day of the Lord will come, when all is still, and the World least thoughtful of Danger, but are careless, eating, and drinking, and marrying, and sleeping, till the Heavens rend asunder, the Archangel utter his Voice, and the Judg himself come upon them:Mat. 24.37 But as the Days of Noah were, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.
IV. The Day of the Lord will in like manner put the sleepy Generation (that shall then be) into a great and dismal Fright, when they see themselves on a sudden surprized, but know no way of Escape: Men startled, Women quaking, Beasts crying, but none to help them. Then they will say to the Rocks and Mountains, Fall on us, and hide us from the Face of him that sitteth on the Throne, Rev. 6.16, 17.and from the Wrath of the Lamb; for the great Day of his Wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?
V. The coming of the Day of the Lord will make the World much amazed, and forget all their former Pleaurses and Enjoyments, as if they had never been, and would gladly accept of their Lives for a Prey, or to be extinguish'd, or cease to be; but alas! 'tis in vain, nothing but Hell and eternal Burnings remain for them, where they shall be always dying, yet never dead.
VI. By the coming of the Day of the Lord, there will be such Execution done, as will be to the utter Ruin and Un-doing of wicked Men, who shall be stripp'd of all they have formerly set their Hearts upon, and would now give the whole World, were it in their possession, for so much Grace as would help them to Heaven,Mat. 25.8. and save them from the dreadful Judgment.
Simile.
I. A Thief comes with a wicked Intent, to gratify his wicked Will unrighteously.
II. A Thief's coming may be prevented.
III. The coming of a Thief is but to a few, and the Dammage he does is but to a few Families.
Disparity.
I. THe Lord cometh with a good intent, to fulfill his Father's Will, to save his People from all their Troubles, and to render Justice to God's Enemies.
II. But the coming of the Day of the Lord cannot be prevented:2 Pet. 3.10. The Day of the Lord will come, in which, &c.
III. The coming of the Day of the Lord, and the dismal Effects of it, will be to all the Wicked: The Lord cometh with Ten Thousand of his Saints, Jude v.14, 15.to execute Judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly, &c.
Inferences.
1. REproof, 2. Caution, 3. Exhortation.
1. Reproof to ungodly Men; that there should be such a Day to come, and notice given of such a thing, and they so heedless and careless about it.
2. Caution to the Godly, to take heed, and carefully mind the Counsel of Christ,Mark 13.35, 36, 37. Luke 21.34 36. and Warnings of his Servants, unto such a due Watchfulness, as may prevent the Danger of being found sleeping, and so the Day come upon them at unawares.
3. Exhortation to all, both good and bad, to make ready; for only they that shall be found ready will go in with him into the Marriage-Chamber;Mat. 25.20 & 24.44. the Door will be shut against all others, whether Professors or Prophane: Be ye therefore ready, for at an Hour you think not of the Son of Man cometh.