Chapter
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Verse

1 Thessalonians 5:2

ESV For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
NIV for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
NASB For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night.
CSB For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.
NLT For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.
KJV For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
NKJV For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

What does 1 Thessalonians 5:2 mean?

The Thessalonian believers realized the day of the Lord would begin unexpectedly, like the arrival of a thief at night. No one looks forward to a thief's invasion, so this reference is not likely a mention of the rapture. The rapture is a hopeful, welcome event, whereas the arrival of a thief is a frightful, unwelcome event. A thief comes to steal, whereas Jesus comes at the rapture to give. He gives Christians glorified bodies, a blessed reunion, and the joy of seeing him face to face (1 Corinthians 15:51–54; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; 1 John 3:2).

We must not think Paul's reference to the day of the Lord's coming "like a thief in the night" means that day will arrive during a literal, solar night. The comparison is not to the timing of the day of the Lord's arrival but, rather, to its manner of arrival. This era will arrive suddenly and unexpectedly. Divine judgment will catch unbelievers off-guard. They will be surprised by the sudden arrival of God's wrath.
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