And if with the day of the Lord, you realize it can happen to any generation

that ought to make you very, very concerned about the generation in which you live.

Having to face this eternal judgment, we don't know when that terror is going to break loose,

but we're busy persuading men because we know it's coming.

Welcome to Grace To You with John MacArthur. I'm your host, Phil Johnson.

Some years ago, police in Philadelphia, who were dealing with a rash of bicycle thefts,

began using unlocked bikes to lure criminals.

Officers kept watch on the vulnerable bikes, and they were able to catch a number of thieves in the act of stealing.

And of course, most of the time, you have no way of knowing when a thief will come.

It's that aspect of complete surprise that Scripture is getting at when it says the day of the Lord will come,

like a thief in the night. Find out what it takes to be ready for Christ's return and protected from the divine wrath that follows.

Here's John MacArthur to continue his study, The Rapture, and The Day of the Lord.

We find ourselves in chapter 5, and I would invite you to turn to chapter 5,

and we look again at the first three verses of this chapter.

First Thessalonians chapter 5, verses 1 through 3.

A discussion takes place between the Apostle Paul and the governor by the name of Felix.

His wife is by his side, she being named Roussilla.

The Apostle Paul comes before the governor and his wife with the purpose of presenting to them the way of truth in Jesus Christ or the gospel.

And as he approaches them, it's clearly stated in verse 25 of Acts 24,

that he discussed with them three things, righteousness, self-control, and judgment.

Here was the Apostle Paul confronting a pagan.

Here was the Apostle Paul confronting the man who was his captor, who really had authority over his life.

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