I think what you are addressing
@parousia70, may be answered as we consider His words above. Specifically, you ask, "how many times must He come
as a thief" (paraphrase) and I think that the word picture that is being painted is that of an unexpected and
abrupt death in one's sins...or, more accurately, clothed in soiled garments, which are bad works, opposed to the good works they were to "hold fast" to. How many of those warned in Sardis, died without "Remember[ing]" and are awaiting that hour of judgement. I pray that none who hear this message today find themselves in that same waiting room.
Brings to mind this passage in Luke 12:
YLT)
Luke 12:
13And a certain one said to him, out of the multitude, "Teacher, say to my brother to divide with me the inheritance."
14And he said to him, "Man, who set me a judge or a divider over you?’
15And he said unto them, ‘Observe, and beware of the covetousness, because not in the abundance of one’s goods is his life.’
16And he spake a simile unto them, saying, ‘Of
a certain rich man the field brought forth well;
17and he was reasoning within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where I shall gather together my fruits?
18and he said, This I will do, I will take down my storehouses, and greater ones I will build, and I will gather together there all my products and my good things,
19and I will say to my soul, '
Soul, thou hast many good things laid up for many years, be resting, eat, drink, be merry'.
20‘And God said to him, Unthinking one!
this night thy soul they shall require from thee, and what things thou didst prepare — to whom shall they be?
21so [is] he who is treasuring up to himself, and is not rich toward God.’
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Why is the Rich-Man in Luke 16:24 calling out to Abraham?
Lazarus and the Rich Man - Here a little, there a little - Commentary
Luke 16:
19 Yet a certain man was rich and clothed purple and fine-linen making-merry down to a-day shiningly
20 Yet a certain poor-one was to name Lazarus, who had been cast toward the gate of him, having sores-abiding
21 and yearning to be satisfied from the scraps, those falling<4098> from the table of the Rich-one,
but also the dogs coming licked-upon the sores of him.
22 Became yet to be dying the poor-one and to be carried away him by the messengers into
the bosom of Abraham.
Yet died also the rich-one and was entombed.
25 "But
Abraham said, '
Son! remember that in your lifetime
you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things;
but now he is comforted and you are tormented
