¹ Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 

형제들아 때와 시기에 관하여는 너희에게 쓸 것이 없음은

An appendix relating to times and dates of the Lord’s second coming, which the Thessalonians know well already, but just a reminder about what will happen on that day in line with the teaching in the previous section conerning the believers who are dead (4:13-18).

² for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 

주의 날이 밤에 도적 같이 이를 줄을 너희 자신이 자세히 앎이라

‘In the night’ goes with ‘a thief’ rather than ‘the day of the Lord’. Emphasising that it comes suddenly, whether day or night. Goes in line with our Lord’s words that the day will be as sudden as the lightening flashing one side and lighting up to the other side of the sky (Luke 17:24) and that it will come like a trap (Luke 21:34).

³ While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety’, destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

저희가 평안하다, 안전하다 할 그 때에 잉태된 여자에게 해산 고통이 이름과 같이 멸망이 홀연히 저희에게 이르리니 결단코 피하지 못하리라

Just like the false prophets in the OT who announced ‘peace, peace’ when there was no peace, ‘healing the brokenness of the people superficially’ (Jer 8:11) and ‘smearing it with whitewash when the people build a wall’ (Ezk 13:10). Neither superficiality nor pretence will make them escape the day of the Lord that comes for sure (even to those who are dead). Because those who announce peace actually do not have the authority to do so. False authority always leads to deception.

⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 

형제들아 너희는 어두움에 있지 아니하매 그 날이 도적 같이 너희에게 임하지 못하리니

The whitewash will be crushed (Ezk 13:11) and the superficially treatment brokenness will lead to death (Jer 9:1). The only authority that can announce ‘peace and safety’ is that of Christ. When you belong to him his coming back is not a surprise anymore but hope that will rescue us from the coming wrath (1:10) and wipe tears from our eyes (Isa 25:8, Rev 7:17, 21:4). The Coming One will abolish death finally (Rev 21:4). When we know and are expecting this much it is not at all like a thief in the night anymore.

⁵ You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

너희는 다 빛의 아들이요 낮의 아들이라 우리가 밤이나 어두움에 속하지 아니하나니

Such knowing and expectation bring us into light. We are not darkness who hate light anymore. Who fear their deeds of superficiality or pretence might be exposed (cf. John 3:20). Therefore whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son (John 3:18), i.e. the only authority to announce truce peace and safety that comes from his work of the cross. But remember: God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him (v17).

Lord, how is it that we knew and chose for ourselves this marvellous and complex game of power and authority? It must be true that you chose us and not the other way round, because we would not have had the capability even to decide which was right. Let us not pretend as if we are wise ourselves but submit to your wisdom and knowledge, we give thanks for your decision and action. As the blessed beneficiaries let us confess you, the Great and Almighty God, with our breaths and words and deeds to prove and display that indeed we belong to the day and to the light of expecting you coming back, rewarding, and wiping away every tear from our faces. Thanks be to our Lord Comforter and Strengthener, our Ultimate and Only Authority.