Note 23 at 1 Th. 5:4: The metaphor of these statements is weakened for us because of our use of electricity for light today. In the time which Paul wrote these words, a world without electricity was a dark world. Their artificial light provided only enough light to survive. There was no comparison between the light of day and the darkness of night, just as unbelievers without Christ are unable to see like those who have the light of Christ in their lives.