Christ's Coming Does Not Come as a Thief to the Elect

Comment on EBF's video "Biblical Evidence for the end in 2033":

"Only God knows when he will return, and he will come like a thief in the night"

EBF response:

Many in the churches like to quote this verse. But, unfortunately, they do not realize what they are saying. For the Bible tells us that Jesus only comes upon the unsaved as a thief in the night. For those whom God has saved (the elect) He does not come as a thief in the night:

1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Notice the contrast: Christ comes as a thief in the night and sudden destruction comes upon them. But – God declares in v.4, "ye, brethren, are NOT IN DARKNESS, that that day should overtake you as a thief". To be in darkness means to be dead in sin. Only the unsaved are in darkness. The brethren are not in darkness because they have been translated out of the darkness and into the light of God's dear Son and His kingdom.

Therefore, Christ does not come upon those in the light as a thief. Which helps to explain this Scripture:

Daniel 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

At the time of the end God unseals His Word. Revealing many things including end time information – such as the timing for the end. The wise will understand. The wicked will not understand.

Compared to: Christ comes as a thief on the unsaved (wicked who do not understand). He does not come as a thief to the saved (wise who do understand). It all fits together quite well.

Proverbs 28:5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.