Corpus-Paul

["Mike Thompson" <mbt2 AT cam.ac.uk>]

--On Tue, 4 May, 1999 4:38 am -0300 "Frank W. Hughes" <fwhughes AT sunbeach.net> wrote, quoting Hilgenfeld:

> "The teaching of the first letter, that the Day of the Lord comes abruptly and unpredictably, like a thief in the night, is not the teaching of the second letter, which rather gives ascertained omens of the return of Christ."

This reading of 1 Thess assumes that Paul means that the Day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night for Christians. But Paul's point in context is that it will be a shocking and negative surprise for unbelievers, those who say 'Peace and safety' (5.3). Paul goes on to emphasize that his readers however are not in darkness. It will not be like a thief in the night for those who belong to the day and who are alert. There is nothing said here that precludes signs that might be recognized by his readers who are spiritually awake.

Cheers,

Michael Thompson

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