Don't be surprised! (Pt.2)

(Part 2)

“Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.”-1 Thessalonians 5:-4

Not only did Jesus express some truths that we, as believers, shouldn’t be surprised to hear, so did the Apostle Paul. Speaking of the future catching away of the church and the second coming of Christ, Paul admonishes us not be be surprised when that day comes like a thief in the night. 

This significant truth would not come without its controversy as many false teachers in Paul’s day tried to capitalize on the event. However, Paul was not surprised to find false teachers and false prophets among the body of believers:

“But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.”-2 Corinthians 11:12-15

There are many people today who will be shocked to find false teachers and false prophets among them and consequently, because they are not diligent in discerning their presence, will be led astray by their teachings. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t be shocked that following Jesus would require us to face opposition and trials:

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.”-1 Peter 4:12 

Fiery trials? Who signed up for that? The Apostle Peter warned us that it should not be considered a strange thing to suffer for Christ or to walk through difficult situations on account of our relationship with Him. Yet, there are believers that are shocked by the idea that part of our experience following Jesus is to share in His suffering. Instead, many people see fiery trials and suffering as an indication of God’s displeasure, when in reality it is a sign of divine relationship. In fact, the Apostle John takes it a step further:

“So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.”-1 John 3:13

The more you separate yourself from this world (the way that it thinks, acts, and believes) the more it is going to hate you. There are those who are surprised by the idea that you cannot be friends of God and friends of this world. They are shocked to hear that following Jesus means that the world will hate them. They believe that you can live one foot in the world and one foot in God’s Kingdom, but James 4:4 is clear:

“Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.”

If you count the cost now, you can prepare for and face those things knowing that God warned you they were coming. However, if you thought coming to Christ was suppose to make your life rosy and perfect, you are going to be surprised by a few things along the way.

Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church