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2 Peter 3:10 - A different angle on "the day of the Lord" - Day 141

Hello again my friends,

Managed to get behind yesterday.  As you will see, I was struck by likening the day of the Lord and a thief breaking into a house.  

Listening to a commentary about world events from a Christian worldview by Al Mohler.  He reports that a significant number of "spiritual but not religious" people are turning to spiritual directors to help them get in touch with themselves.  Think about that.  People are willing to pay someone to listen to their fears and help them feel better.  But they don't want to go where they can hear the truth about where they came from, why they are here and where they are going (the gospel) for free.  As you rub shoulders (or socially distanced equivalent) with other people, listen for hints that they may be "spiritual but not religious" and point them to the narrow gate.

Blessings,

Jeff

The day of the Lord will come like a thief.  Just thinking, How exactly does a thief come?

Unexpectedly - no one expects a thief to break in and steal.  We have security systems to make us feel secure, but so do banks and museums.

A thief is generally intentional.   We have all heard about "casing a place".  Observing the defenses, habits, routines of the target.  If somebody leaves their car running at a gas station, a thief may take advantage of this opportunity.  But a "good thief" knows that people will routinely do this and wait patiently for someone to show up.  He is looking for the right time to put a plan into action.

A thief has a goal.  Car thieves look for top of the line cars.  They aren't going to steal a 10 year old sedan.  Jesus said the thieves come to steal, kill and destroy.  

So why does Peter use this picture of someone who is evil to the core to describe "the day of the Lord"?

Despite all the claims to know when the Lord will return, Jesus  clearly states that in his human nature, he does not know when He will return.  This knowledge is reserved for divinity.  If Jesus' human nature doesn't know, I am sure that no human knows.  Let me be clear, undue interest in the timing of the second coming is unhealthy.  Therefore, it will be unexpected, just like a thief.

Preparedness by the homeowner will deter a thief.  The believer's preparedness does not delay the Lord's coming, but Jesus does tell us to be ready, to watch and pray, to lay up treasure in heaven.  The day of the Lord will be unexpected, but that doesn't mean we should be unprepared.

Part of preparedness is not to collect the things that thieves want.  

So I think that the picture is used to make us think about the "what sort of people ought you to be?" question. It doesn't try to equate a thief and the Lord.

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