Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5

"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. When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief: for ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness;" — 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 (ASV)

It is needless or useless to ask about the particular time of Christ's coming. Christ did not reveal this to the apostles. There are times and seasons for us to work in, and these are our duty and interest to know and observe; but as to the time when we must give up our account, we do not know it, nor is it necessary that we should. The coming of Christ will be a great surprise to people.

Our Lord himself said so. As the hour of death is to each person what the judgment will be to humankind in general, so the same remarks apply to both. Christ's coming will be terrible to the ungodly. Their destruction will overtake them while they dream of happiness and indulge in vain amusements.

There will be no means to escape the terror or the punishment of that day. This day will be a happy day to the righteous. They are not in darkness; they are the children of the light. It is the happy condition of all true Christians.

But how many are speaking peace and safety to themselves, over whose heads utter destruction is hovering! Let us endeavor to awaken ourselves and each other, and guard against our spiritual enemies.