Me hearties when it comes ter times and dates of the day of the Lord’, thar be no need ter send a message yer way, fer you well know that the day of the Lord’s coming ‘ill sneak upon us like a thief climbin’ aboard in the dead of night.

Times and Dates of The Day of the Lord

While lubbers and drunkards be singin’ ditties ’bout “Peace and safety,” a tempest ‘ill crash upon ’em like a white squall. Before they kin drop sails, the rail ‘ill be under, and they’ll be shippin’ water over the side. None ‘ill escape, not even rats, you may lay ter that. Hear what the Son says about this day.

Jesus and Our Watchfulness

Be dressed and ready for service. Keep your lamps burning. It’ll be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. It’ll be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (Luke 12:35-40)

With this stern warnin’ from the Son, keep watch! Expect him during any watch, even the dog watch. Don’t lounge about in darkness like a drunken sailor, fer if you do, this day ‘ill swamp you.

Remain Sober

We be a crew of Skipper, led by the light of the Son. Have nothin’ ter do with the night or its shadows. Don’t pass out like lubbers or sailors on shore leave, fer they drop off so deep they kin’t be rousted. Rather, be vigilant and sober. Those who get drunk, get drunk at night, and those who pass out, pass out at night.

Have No Fear of the Wrath of God

But we wear the hope of salvation as our head scarf. Skipper didn’t appoint us ter suffer his wrath, fer what good father beats his children fer no reason? Nay, we’ve received salvation through his Son. If we be saved through the Son, then why fear the wrath of Skipper?

So yes, be alert at rest and at work, fer the Son ‘ill come just as he promised. Meantime, encourage one another, build each other up, and be of good cheer. Soon — very soon! — the Son ‘ill break forth, and all this mess ‘ill be made right.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-12