Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2

"But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that aught be written unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." — 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 (ASV)

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

The great point is that it comes—it will certainly come, and it will come when it is least expected. There are certain signs given, by which the righteous will know of its appearing, but all study of dates and fixing of the time is contrary to the very spirit of the Christian dispensation. We are to abide, always looking for it, believing it may come today, believing it may not come today—believing that the secret of the time is with God.

You err if you say it will be this or that season; you equally err if you say it will not be then. Let it remain as it is, a secret in the heart of God, you yourselves always prepared, waiting for it to come.

But of the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that I write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

That is, most unexpectedly to an ungodly world. Even those who are watching for Christ's coming may be to some extent surprised at His appearing, as the most watchful person may be when the thief at last comes; but we will not be taken altogether unawares. We will be, at least to some extent, prepared for the coming of the Lord, but as for the world at large, it will be a dreadful and surprising visitation—

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

It will be a great surprise to the wicked. It will take them unawares. Just at that moment when they least expect it will Christ come; and as the thief comes to destroy and to kill, so will the coming of Christ be the death of their carnal ease – the destruction of their earthly hopes.