Will Jesus Return Like a Thief In the Night?

The Myth of a Secret Rapture in Christian Apocalyptic Fiction

A 1970s apocalyptic film entitled A Thief in the Night depicts the rapture occurring silently and without warning. Suddenly, Christians are just gone. Likewise, the best-selling series Left Behind also explains that Christians will vanish in a mysterious and unannounced disappearance.

The silent rapture common to Christian apocalyptic fiction is just that, it's fiction. The Bible says nothing about a secret rapture. In 1 Thessalonians 5 .2, the Apostle Paul writes, For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

Christ's Return Like a Thief in the Night

Now he's drawing attention to words spoken by Christ. Jesus also said that he would come back like a thief. But this thief reference does not mean a secret rapture. It means that to those who do not know Christ, his return will be unwelcome and unexpected.

For those who know his word, it won't be surprising, for we are children of the day. Remember, we're talking about the day of the Lord. In Matthew 24, Jesus says two men will be in the field, one taken and one left.

Two women will be grinding at the mill, one taken and one left. But this is also not talking about a secret rapture, because Jesus is saying this is what will happen at the coming of the Son of Man. All indications are that the day of his return and the day we're caught up to meet him are the same event.

The Lord's Visible and Triumphant Return

And it'll be no secret. Jesus says not to listen to anyone who says he's returned unannounced to a select group of people, for his return will be as visible as lightning. The Lord himself will descend from heaven in a loud and triumphant return.

The dead in Christ will rise first, and then we who are left will meet them in the air. Therefore encourage one another with these words when we understand the text.