Christ Comes as a Thief

I have to admit that this passage in Matthew never made perfect sense to me;
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” Matthew 24:42-44 (NLT)

I'm happy to report that it makes sense to me now that I understand that Christ is coming in a two-phase event. He first comes to snatch all believers from the earth (rapture) but he never comes any further than the clouds. With a loud trumpet call and in the twinkling of an eye, we will all be called into heaven where we will forever more be with the Lord. Then, about 7 years later, after the Great Tribulation, we will return with Christ to rule with him on the earth for a thousand years. This is referred to as the Millenium rule of Christ.

So, now that we understand this, we know exactly what Christ was referring to in the passage above. Satan is the prince of this earth. He is the "homeowner" in the passage. The bible tells us that no one knows the day or the hour of Christ's rapture event...only God the Father in heaven. So Satan doesn't know the exact time either. Christ will come like a thief so that Satan and all people left on the earth will be totally suprised when a billion or so people are suddenly snatched right out of satans house.

Maranatha!! Come Lord Jesus!! Pray that we will all be ready as you give us signs that the bloom is certainly on the fig tree...so we can know that summer is near.