1 Thessalonians 5:4

“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as. thief”

“But yet”: In contrast to the unbelievers. “Are not in darkness”: The Christian is no longer in spiritual darkness and separated from God (Colossians 1:12; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 5:8). In addition, we have the light of God's word, so that we are not in ignorance either (Psalms 119:105). We are right with God and we know Jesus could come at any time. Hence there is no good reason why Christ's appearing should catch up unprepared. “That day”: The same day mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:3. Again, the Premillennial viewpoint is failing to fit these clear passages. If all Christians have been removed from the earth prior to 1 Thessalonians 5:3. then how could "that day" find these Christians or any Christians unprepared? According to the Premillennial theory, all Christians have been removed from this world prior to the Lord coming in judgment upon the unbelievers.

It is clear that Paul believes that the events of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 happen at the same time as the events of 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, seeing that Paul still has Christians on this earth when the Lord comes to judge and condemn the unrighteous.

“Overtake”: To take eagerly, seize, possess, thus overtake. “As. thief”: “Unpredictable events have different effects on those who are unprepared for them and those who are ready for them” (Marshall p. 136). Stott notes, “The apostle explains that there is no need for us to be alarmed by the prospect of the Lord's coming, because there is no need for it to take us by surprise. Christ's coming is definitely going to be unexpected. The solution to our problem lies not in knowing when He will come, but in staying awake and alert” (p. 110). The point that Paul will be making is that if we live in the "light", we are always prepared, but if we live in the "darkness" we will be always unprepared.