Are you a child of Light or of Darkness?

[Eccl12v13]

I’m sure many people, in congregations all over the world, have heard their pastor or some other pastor say over and over again, “The Lord’s return will come as a thief in the night.”. While this is true, it should also be taught that this warning is NOT for everyone. This warning is reserved for the unrighteous, those without wisdom and understanding in God’s word. For them Jesus second return WILL come as a thief in the night.

Unfortunately, many pastors are teaching this to their own members and they too are lead to believe the day of the Lord, or Christ second coming, will come without warnings, signs or anything. Many saints believe Jesus second coming will be a ‘secret’. And because they have not been taught the truth and have been given no other scriptures to read, other that what the pastor reads to them, they sit back, do nothing, ignore the signs and the warnings and wait for Jesus ‘secret’ return. All of which are just the opposite of what Jesus tells us to do.

Now are the saints really supposed to be in the dark about Jesus return? Should Jesus return sneak up on the saints and take them by surprise, as it will for the unrighteous? Are we really supposed to just sit back, wait and do nothing?

God’s word says absolutely not!

Contrary to what many believe, God has given us many signs to let us know His arrival is near. As a matter of fact, God tells His true believers His second coming should NOT sneak up on them and overtake them as a thief. God calls those with knowledge and understanding, “…children of the light…”

And what does God call those without wisdom and understanding? He calls them, “…of the night….of darkness…” Let’s now read to confirm;



Children of Light or Darkness

I Thes 5
2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

Paul tells us that Jesus return will come as a thief, but to whom? Jesus second coming will be a surprise to those that are of the night and in darkness. These are the ones that either ignored the true word of God or just did care about gaining wisdom or knowledge of God‘s word. These are the ones that were described as the following;

Luke 17
[26] And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
[27] They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
[30] Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

Just as in the days of Noah, people will be having a good old time and not watching for the signs God will give to let them know His arrival is near.

Let’s look at what Jesus Himself said about His second coming and the warning He gives for not being observant;

Rev 3:3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

And here we have Jesus Himself telling us His second return should not to take us by surprise as a thief. But the key to that not happening is remembering what we have received and heard, to hold fast, repent and to WATCH!

So from the mouth of Paul and from Jesus Himself we are told the saints should not be in the dark concerning His second coming. If we remember what we have heard and hold fast to it and watch, His second coming will not come upon us as a thief.

Now what about those whose pastors did not give them any signs to look for? What about those pastors that did not give wisdom and understanding? For them, Jesus second return will be a total surprise! The saints without knowledge and wisdom will be just as surprised as the unrighteous!

Do you know the signs that Jesus and all of the men of God gave us to know when His hour is near?

According to God’s word there should be no way His second return take those with wisdom and knowledge by surprise. There are just too many events that MUST take place before Jesus returns.

And we are not to just limit ourselves to just the reading of the bible. When God says to watch, He means just that; watch everything that is going on around us;

- Have the toes of the image spoken of in Dan. come together yet?
- Has there been talk of the building of the temple?
- Do those that call themselves Jews have a red heifer to restart sacrifice?
- Is the world gearing up for one man to rule over it, thus getting reading for one world government?
- Have nations started aligning themselves getting ready for battle?


The time will come when you will prove which you are. Will Jesus return come as a thief in the night for you? Which will you be? A child of the darkness….or a child of LIGHT?



.

 

[jskmjskm]

Eccl12v13,

I am a child of light and believe that at a point in time, I will know when Jesus will come and get His child. I believe what I do for many reasons. Like the story about Noah, the story about Lot, and the parable about the ten virgins. We will know because Jesus will clearly tell us when to enter the ark, leave the city, or come to the wedding.

I believe that all on your list is in the works. What are your thoughts there?

 

[lioncub]

If you are in darkness, then you will not be ready when Jesus returns. There are many who are in darkness, who deliberately disobey Jesus by not being baptised in water and have yet to receive the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

If you are in darkness, that day will overtake you like a thief in the night. When it comes, you will be taken by surprise, you will be devastated, horrified.

You have been warned ! Get right with God, don't end up spending eternity in the wrong place !

 

[jskmjskm]

Lioncub,

I have been baptised in water and have recieved the Holy Spirit with evidence of a changed life. I have not spoken in tongues in the jiberish kind of way way but I do speak in tongues that since I have a new way of talking, I talk Jesus and the kingdom of God which most do not understand, but my brothers and sisters do.

 

[rizen1]

Thank you Lord for the wisdom and knowledge you've given Eccl12v13. I stand in agreement with everything stated above.

People need to wake up, WATCH and PRAY. Everyone is chasing after emotionalism, what feels good have to be His Holy Spirit. They want milk because they can not digest meat.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1Timonthy4:1

 

[ozell]

I’m sure many people, in congregations all over the world, have heard their pastor or some other pastor say over and over again, “The Lord’s return will come as a thief in the night.”. While this is true, it should also be taught that this warning is NOT for everyone. This warning is reserved for the unrighteous, those without wisdom and understanding in God’s word. For them Jesus second return WILL come as a thief in the night.

Unfortunately, many pastors are teaching this to their own members and they too are lead to believe the day of the Lord, or Christ second coming, will come without warnings, signs or anything. Many saints believe Jesus second coming will be a ‘secret’. And because they have not been taught the truth and have been given no other scriptures to read, other that what the pastor reads to them, they sit back, do nothing, ignore the signs and the warnings and wait for Jesus ‘secret’ return. All of which are just the opposite of what Jesus tells us to do.

Now are the saints really supposed to be in the dark about Jesus return? Should Jesus return sneak up on the saints and take them by surprise, as it will for the unrighteous? Are we really supposed to just sit back, wait and do nothing?

God’s word says absolutely not!

Contrary to what many believe, God has given us many signs to let us know His arrival is near. As a matter of fact, God tells His true believers His second coming should NOT sneak up on them and overtake them as a thief. God calls those with knowledge and understanding, “…children of the light…”

And what does God call those without wisdom and understanding? He calls them, “…of the night….of darkness…” Let’s now read to confirm;



Children of Light or Darkness

I Thes 5
2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

Paul tells us that Jesus return will come as a thief, but to whom? Jesus second coming will be a surprise to those that are of the night and in darkness. These are the ones that either ignored the true word of God or just did care about gaining wisdom or knowledge of God‘s word. These are the ones that were described as the following;

Luke 17
[26] And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
[27] They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
[30] Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

Just as in the days of Noah, people will be having a good old time and not watching for the signs God will give to let them know His arrival is near.

Let’s look at what Jesus Himself said about His second coming and the warning He gives for not being observant;

Rev 3:3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

And here we have Jesus Himself telling us His second return should not to take us by surprise as a thief. But the key to that not happening is remembering what we have received and heard, to hold fast, repent and to WATCH!

So from the mouth of Paul and from Jesus Himself we are told the saints should not be in the dark concerning His second coming. If we remember what we have heard and hold fast to it and watch, His second coming will not come upon us as a thief.

Now what about those whose pastors did not give them any signs to look for? What about those pastors that did not give wisdom and understanding? For them, Jesus second return will be a total surprise! The saints without knowledge and wisdom will be just as surprised as the unrighteous!

Do you know the signs that Jesus and all of the men of God gave us to know when His hour is near?

According to God’s word there should be no way His second return take those with wisdom and knowledge by surprise. There are just too many events that MUST take place before Jesus returns.

And we are not to just limit ourselves to just the reading of the bible. When God says to watch, He means just that; watch everything that is going on around us;

- Have the toes of the image spoken of in Dan. come together yet?
- Has there been talk of the building of the temple?
- Do those that call themselves Jews have a red heifer to restart sacrifice?
- Is the world gearing up for one man to rule over it, thus getting reading for one world government?
- Have nations started aligning themselves getting ready for battle?


The time will come when you will prove which you are. Will Jesus return come as a thief in the night for you? Which will you be? A child of the darkness….or a child of LIGHT?



.

amen brother

God's words is light


Psalm 119

<SUP id=en-KJV-16003 class=versenum>104</SUP>Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

<SUP id=en-KJV-16004 class=versenum>105</SUP>Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
<SUP id=en-KJV-16005 class=versenum>106</SUP>I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

God's word is light, truth and spirit
John 6

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

 

[Eccl12v13]

Eccl12v13,

I am a child of light and believe that at a point in time, I will know when Jesus will come and get His child. I believe what I do for many reasons. Like the story about Noah, the story about Lot, and the parable about the ten virgins. We will know because Jesus will clearly tell us when to enter the ark, leave the city, or come to the wedding.

I believe that all on your list is in the works. What are your thoughts there?

As do I.

God gave us biblical signs as well as wordly events to watch for.

God tells us the man of sin will be revealed and he will sit in the temple of God...letting us to to watch for the building of a temple.

God tells us the daily sacrifices will end...letting us know that in order for them to end...at some point they must begin.

God tells us that the man of sin will cause all both great and small to have a sign in order for them to buy and sell....letting us know this person will have some sort of control over the entire world....letting us know to be on the look out for some sort of world government or control.


We must watch for the signs of all of these coming events....just as God's word tells us.


.

 

[will]

Are we really supposed to just sit back, wait and do nothing?

Do nothing?
The Lord gave a very specific and clear command recorded in Matthew 28:18-20.
I think He wants us to be too busy to obey this command with all of our being, so we don't even have time to sit on our hands postulating when He will come back for us.

 

[jari]

like you quoted your self:
I Thes 5
2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

it says we aren't in darkness. but you say we need to observe signs and know bible? Well that's not what the bible says. Jesus says people will understand signs of heaven but they cannot know the Lord's coming.

So out of two arguments your both contradicted the bible ...

i have no option but to listen what i've read from bible instead of you unless you can explain this contradiction.

 

[Eccl12v13]

like you quoted your self:
I Thes 5
2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

it says we aren't in darkness. but you say we need to observe signs and know bible? Well that's not what the bible says. Jesus says people will understand signs of heaven but they cannot know the Lord's coming.

So out of two arguments your both contradicted the bible ...

i have no option but to listen what i've read from bible instead of you unless you can explain this contradiction.

The bible cannot contradict itself. And all I have done is quote God's word.

Jesus tells us to both watch for the signs and at the sametime, in the same sentence tells us we will not know the day nor hour;

"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

But He still tells us that His coming should NOT be as a thief to those with knowledge and understanding.


His coming will be as a thief to those that do not watch!


.

 

[jari]

Hello

The bible cannot contradict itself. And all I have done is quote God's word.

Jesus tells us to both watch for the signs and at the sametime, in the same sentence tells us we will not know the day nor hour;

"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

But He still tells us that His coming should NOT be as a thief to those with knowledge and understanding.


His coming will be as a thief to those that do not watch!


.

no i said you contradict the bible. And no jesus doesnt say watch for the signs.

I wish you would quote bible when you say that because i know its not there.

Perhaps a misunterstanding easily made but its not in the word what you said.

 

[Eccl12v13]

Hello



no i said you contradict the bible. And no jesus doesnt say watch for the signs.

I wish you would quote bible when you say that because i know its not there.

Perhaps a misunterstanding easily made but its not in the word what you said.

Maybe I'm not sure of which sign you are speaking about...but God's words are very clear concerning the signs that Jesus told His disciples to look for when they asked about His return and the end of the world. Let's read what thus said the Lord.....

Matt.24
[3] And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

So we have the disciples asking Jesus about His return and the end of the world. But notice they didn't just ask Him to TELL them about these events...they asked for 'signs' of His coming and the end of the world. Let's read some of the signs Jesus told His disciples would take place to let them know His return would be near....

[4] And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

The very first thing Jesus tells them is NOT to let ANY man deceive them.

[5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

And above we are given the very first visible sign to let us know His return is near.....that there would be many that come in HIs name, and many would be decieved.

[7] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Are we not seeing these events take place before our very eyes now?

[15] When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand

Above is a very important sign Jesus tells us to be on the watch for. For Jesus tells us it will be this sign that the most terrible time in the history of man begins....the great tribulation period. Let's confirm this...

[21] For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Jesus gave us the sign that let's us know just when the great tribulation period will occur. Now let's read what sign He gives us to look for AFTER the tribulation period....

[29] Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

Jesus tells us that very soon after the great tribulation period is over, there will be a sign for us to look for in the sky. And this sign will let us know of another event that is about to take place. Let's read it...

[30] And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Jesus tells us after the tribulation period is over and after the sun is darkened and the moon does not give her light, that it will be at this time Jesus returns with power and great glory. But that is not all...He tells us of yet another sign that will accompany His arrival....

[31] And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Jesus tells us that a great trumpet will sound, angels will appear and His elect will be gathered. What an event we will be able to see. Sometihng else He tells us we will notice upon His arrival is what He tells us next....

[40] Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
[41] Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Jesus gives us yet another sign to look and to watch for to let us know this is His return. He tells us that there will be two in a field and one will be taken while the other is left. There will be on grinding in the mill and one left. Jesus has given us MANY signs to watch for concerning His return and the end of the earth. Let's read how He closes this dialog.....

[42] Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Let's now go to the book of Mark.

Mark 13
[33] Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
[34] For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
[35] Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
[36] Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
[37] And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Matt.25
[13] Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Jesus tells us we will not know the day nor the hour.....but the one thing He does tell us ALL is to WATCH!

And you can only watch for signs if there are signs given to watch for!

Like I said....I'm not sure which signs it is that you claim Jesus did not tell us to watch for...but concerning the questions that the disciples asked Jesus; to know what to look for to know that His coming is near, Jesus provided us with lots of sings to look for.

.

 

[jari]

It seems your avoiding the scripture when it says this : [42] Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

We know the signs when he comes yes but we dont know right now as there are no signs yet to give us accurate "hour" (date).


and again we are not infact in darkness like it says:


I Thes 5
2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

I dont wish to debate with you about this as the scripture you have posted makes sense to me. i hope you see my point as well.

 

[Eccl12v13]

It seems your avoiding the scripture when it says this : [42] Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

We know the signs when he comes yes but we dont know right now as there are no signs yet to give us accurate "hour" (date).

Actually...I did not avoid the scripture...it is one of the ones I posted in my reply.

And we will NEVER know the hour because that's whats Jesus tells us;

"...for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."

And this has never been a debate on my part. For those that have wisdom in the scriptures, Jesus return will not sneak up on them. It will not come as a thief. They will not be surprised.

.

 

[Donnie Ducati]

Why can't this be answered with a short post ?


Its as simple as this...........if your "Born Again" your a child of Light... ie; GOD.


Short and sweet.

 

[Kit Carson]

Pretty good thread to study. It shows how man turns the word around and creates confusion.

No one knows when Christ will return, not even Christ himself as he plainly says only the Father knows.

There are no signs, there are no warnings, and no one knows the hour or the day.

All it means is we as people will be going about our lives, doing this or that, be we good or evil, and all of a sudden, there it will be. So it by words simply means, we will be unaware and just as you are unaware when a thief breaks into your home when you are away and steals, so will we be unaware.

The only signs will be on that day and hour, only at that time will we be aware. Until that time no one knows, not even Christ, as only God knows the when and how.


Kit

 

[Eccl12v13]

Pretty good thread to study. It shows how man turns the word around and creates confusion.

No one knows when Christ will return, not even Christ himself as he plainly says only the Father knows.

There are no signs, there are no warnings, and no one knows the hour or the day.

All it means is we as people will be going about our lives, doing this or that, be we good or evil, and all of a sudden, there it will be. So it by words simply means, we will be unaware and just as you are unaware when a thief breaks into your home when you are away and steals, so will we be unaware.

There WILL be signs! For those that God calls the "children of light", there will be LOTS of signs to let us know His coming is near. For those with knowledge, Christ 2nd return should NOT come upon us as a thief in the night!



.

 

[Kit Carson]

There WILL be signs! For those that God calls the "children of light", there will be LOTS of signs to let us know His coming is near. For those with knowledge, Christ 2nd return should NOT come upon us as a thief in the night!



.

I suppose it depends on how you look at it and what is on another persons mind.

I just read the entire book of Luke again this evening. So what I get out of it is pretty simple. Before the coming of Christ there will be such things as earthquakes, wars, and such things. But there are no set signs to let anyone know the hour, day , or time that Christ will arrive. All will be like those in Noahs time , eating, drinking, making merry in spite of warnings. So it will be so when Christ does return. There will be no sign per say to show or to know his hour or time of return. So he will come when all are unaware. It will just happen.

I see no mention of any signs to let anyone know the time of his return. All we are told is that certain things will happen like wars and natural disasters prior to his arrival.

If you see it, run to it. Do not stop to get your wallet, you will not be needing it.

All this end time stuff used to worry me. I pay little attention to it anymore, I just say Hi to God each day. I trust him not to forget me. I concentrate more on trying to be a better person all the time. I am kinda beyond worry about the end times. This comes with time and as your faith grows. With time you will find you wish Christ would come and fix it all. You gain the knowledge that it will be a better time.

Kit

 

[Eccl12v13]

All will be like those in Noahs time , eating, drinking, making merry in spite of warnings. So it will be so when Christ does return. There will be no sign per say to show or to know his hour or time of return. So he will come when all are unaware. It will just happen.

I Thes. 5
4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.


God's word tells us that His arrival should NOT overtake us as a thief. Though we may not know the day or the hour, it should be no surprise to those that study God's word that His coming is soon.

.

 

[Fraction]

I Thes. 5
4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.


God's word tells us that His arrival should NOT overtake us as a thief. Though we may not know the day or the hour, it should be no surprise to those that study God's word that His coming is soon.

.

So you're saying it's soon right? You do realize people have been saying "soon" for around 2000 years right? I don't mean to crash the second coming party here, but it could happen 50,000 years from now for all we know. Soon to us? Possible. Soon to God, indeed. No one knows when it's going to happen. Will there be signs? Obviously, because the bible says so. Have these signs been displayed yet and prophecies fulfilled? No one knows that either!

If you are in darkness, then you will not be ready when Jesus returns. There are many who are in darkness, who deliberately disobey Jesus by not being baptised in water and have yet to receive the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

If you are in darkness, that day will overtake you like a thief in the night. When it comes, you will be taken by surprise, you will be devastated, horrified.

You have been warned ! Get right with God, don't end up spending eternity in the wrong place !

How come in every single thread you post in, you talk about the nonsense of being baptized and speaking in tongues? Not one single time does the bible say that being baptized in water and speaking in tongues is required for salvation. Every single time you post no evidence at all, or you post scripture of situations where it talks about either being baptized in Jesus Christ or someone being baptized after being saved by faith. I respect your opinion and all, but this is one thing you should always add "this is my opinion or view" after or before.

Feel free for anyone here to correct me if I am actually wrong, but 99.9% sure I am not. >.>