therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
Remember therefore how you have received and heard hold fast and repent. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Revelations 3:1-3, “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write ( dead church), ‘These things says He (Messiah) who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. We will explore the church at Sardis and Laodicea, which are the dead and lukewarm churches. In the book of Revelation, Messiah prophesies to the seven churches in Minor Asia (modern day Turkey) Ephesus (loveless), Smyrna (persecuted), Pergamos (compromising), Thyatira (corrupt), Sardis (dead), Philadelphia (faithful), and Laodicea (lukewarm). As a result, the high priest became known as, "a thief in the night" to those who were sleeping.” Now, with the understanding of the ancient tradition, let us explore the Scriptures to discover the correct context of “a thief in the night.” Once the guards realized their garments were on fire, they would shed them and run naked through the Temple courts to get more garments. If they were, as punishment, the high priest would retrieve coals from the alter and light the guard’s garments on fire. In Jewish tradition, the high priest was known as “a thief in the night.” Why? During the night watch of the Temple, the high priest would check on the Temple guards to see if they were asleep while on duty. So, the question is, “Who does the Lord come upon as “a thief in the night?” One of the traditions that is recorded in the Gospels, and also in Paul’s letters, is the phrase, “a thief in the night.” Unfortunately, some teachers and believers have taken this terminology out of its original context, assuming the Day of the Lord will come as “a thief in the night” to all of mankind, including believers. During Messiah’s ministry on earth, there were times when He taught in Jewish traditions and terminology to the disciples, who would have understood the reference of the tradition.
0 kommentar(er)
