1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 When they say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! 4 But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; 5 for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. 6 So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; 7 for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
Thoughts: On this "All Saints Day" it is good to remember we are all children of the light and of the day. One of the difference between all the saints (the invisible/true church in both heaven and here) and those who are not- is that we are to be awake, alert for God's presence, people of faith, hope, and love.
Prayer: Let me, Lord, be a true saint of the Day. Let me always be ready for your coming; ready for your inbreaking presence.
John Calvin abridged: He calls them back from a curious and unprofitable fascination with the time of his coming, and reminds them to be a constant state of readiness for his coming. The Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night for unbelievers because they will be surprised as if they were asleep. No darkness is more dense than ignorance of God.
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