Deeper Reflection
THE THESSALONIANS WRONGLY THOUGHT THAT THEY “could most easily get ready for Christ’s coming in judgment if they could know when He would arrive”². But Paul’s response to them was: “concerning the times and the seasons” they “have no need to have anything written” to them (v.1), because we will never know. For “the day of the Lord will come” in a sudden and unexpected way, “like a thief in the night” (v.2). And this we must be “fully aware” (v.2).In teaching His disciples, Jesus made it crystal clear that we cannot know the timing of His return (Mk 13:32-37). Don’t miss the triple emphasis on this: “of that day and hour no one knows” (Mk 13:32) and “you do not know” (Mk 13:33, 35). The words of Jesus, particularly pertaining to eschatology here, are absolutely certain and trustworthy (Mk 13:31). However, the timing of their fulfilment has not been revealed and so should not provoke undue speculation. Christians have been attempting this for the last 2,000 years and have failed. But they have not given up. What folly! Not only do we not know, but Jesus says to us: “It is not for you to know” (Acts 1:7a). It is none of our business. For not even the incarnate Son knew, but the Father alone, who set the timetable for the future (Acts 1:7b). In the state of “do not know” we have only one business: “Be on the alert!” Mark the fourfold emphasis (Mk 13:33, 34, 35, 37). Be watchful on the inside, not on the outside.

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² John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 108