Will Jesus' return take Christians by surprise like a thief in the night?

Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 1: Jesus Christ never intended for His people to be taken by surprise at His coming. He intends for you to be totally aware of the time of His return, so that you would be watching, waiting, and ready when He comes again. Scriptures that refer to His coming again as “a thief in the night” do not refer to the way the church will experience His return, but to the way the world will see it. The coming of Christ will take the world totally by surprise—but not the Christian. Paul said, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of the light” (1 Thessalonians 5:4, 5). Scripture, King James Version: 1 Thessalonians 5:4, "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief."; 1 Thessalonians 5:5, "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.

Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-16.

Share this answer

Will Jesus' return take Christians by surprise like a thief in the night? → wsb.bible/answers/will-jesus-return-take-christians-by-surprise-like-a-thief-in-the

• Does the falling away in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 mean the rapture?
• Is the word rapture in the Bible?
• What happens to unsaved loved ones left behind after the rapture?
• Does Revelation 3:10 teach the church is kept out of the tribulation?