The world, full of rioting, full of godless pleasure, is asleep, asleep in carnal security. Men are putting afar off the coming of the Lord. They laugh at warnings. The proud boast is made, "All things continue as they were from the beginning." "Tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant." 2 Peter 3:4; Isa. 56:12. We will go deeper into pleasure loving. But Christ says, "Behold, I come as a thief." Rev. 16:15. At the very time when the world is asking in scorn, "Where is the promise of His coming?" the signs are fulfilling. While they cry, "Peace and safety," sudden destruction is coming. When the scorner, the rejecter of truth, has become presumptuous; when the routine of work in the various money-making lines is carried on without regard to principle; when the student is eagerly seeking knowledge of everything but his Bible, Christ comes as a thief.

Verden med dens larmende munterhed, med alle dens gudløse fornøjelser, sover i kødelig tryghed. Mennesker regner med, at Herrens genkomst er noget fjernt. De ler ad advarslerne. De praler hovmodigt: "Alt er jo blevet ved at være, som det var fra skabelsens begyndelse." Som i dag skal det være i morgen, ovenud herligt!" 2Pet. 3,4; Es. 56,12. Forlystelsessygen vil blive større og større. Men Kristus siger: "Se, jeg kommer som en tyv." Åb. 16,15. Netop når verden foragteligt spørger: "Hvad bliver det til med hans komme, som var forjættet?" opfyldes tegnene. Medens de råber: "Fred og ingen fare!" kommer undergangen pludselig over dem. Når spotteren og sandhedsfornægteren er blevet overmodig, når rutinearbejdet i de forskellige pengeindbringende foretagender føres videre uden hensyntagen til hæderlighedens principper, når den studerende ivrigt søger viden om alt andet end sin bibel, så kommer Kristus som en tyv.