Remember this: If the owner of the house knew what time the thief was coming, then the owner would be ready for him. The owner would watch and not let the thief enter his house.
At night when it is dark, evil people\par go out and break into peoples’ houses.\par But during the daylight, they\par lock themselves in their own homes\par and avoid the light.\par
“So the five foolish girls went to buy oil. While they were gone, the bridegroom {\cf2\super [385]} came. The girls that were ready went in with the bridegroom to the wedding feast. Then the door was closed and locked.
So you must always be ready. You don’t know when the owner of the house will come back. He might come in the afternoon, or at midnight, or in the early morning, or when the sun rises.
Jesus saw the boat far away on the lake. He saw the followers working hard to row the boat. The wind was blowing against them. Sometime between three and six o’clock in the morning, Jesus went to the boat. Jesus was walking on the water. Jesus continued walking until he was almost past the boat.
Those servants might have to wait until midnight or later for their master. But they will be happy when their master comes in and finds them still waiting.
So be ready all the time. Pray that you will be strong enough to continue safely through all these things that will happen. And pray that you will be able to stand before the Son of Man. {\cf2\super [336]} ”
“Listen! I will come, \{and it will be a surprise,\} like when a thief comes! Happy is the person that stays awake and keeps his clothes with him. Then he will not have to go without clothes, and people will not see the things he is ashamed for them to see.”
So don’t forget what you have received and heard. Obey it. Change your hearts and lives! You must wake up, or I will come to you \{and surprise you\} like a thief. You will not know when I will come.