Paul responds to a question the Thessalonians posed: when will this return of the Lord take place? This was not motivated by eschatological speculation, but possibly by persecution—when you’re suffering for the faith, you want to know when it will end.[1] However, Paul chooses not to answer that question, but rather teaches that “living in faith, love, and hope is the proper way to be prepared so that the day of the Lord will not surprise them ‘like a thief.’”[2]

For that reason, I want to pose the question, Will you be surprised by the return of Christ?

[1] Green, Letters to the Thessalonians, PNTC.

[2] Green, Letters to the Thessalonians, PNTC.