He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. –Revelation 22:20
Apparently, the world was supposed to end on Saturday of last week. All of us who know Jesus are supposed to be in either the new heavens and the new earth, or the millennial kingdom of Christ (depending on your view, which, if Jesus had come back, we would all know what view was correct) as I write this article.
I have received a few questions related to the end times topic that hit the major news outlets in the past month. David Meade, the “Christian” author and source behind the prediction has since backpedaled on his prediction (which is reasonable, considering it did not come true), and now says September 23 only marked the beginning of cataclysmic events that will usher in the end. He bases his prediction on an amalgamation of astronomy and biblical numerology. The number 33 weighs heavily in his calculations. “Jesus lived for 33 years” he says, “and the name Elohim, the generic name for God in the Old Testament, is mentioned 33 times.” September 23rd was also the 33rd day after the solar eclipse that captured America’s attention in August.
So, here briefly are my thoughts on this prediction and all date and time predictions on Jesus’ return…
- Baloney, malarkey, silly, waste of time, find a better hobby.
- Biblical numerology? Baloney, malarkey, silly, waste of time, find a better hobby.
- The Planet X causing issues with earth and bringing about end time disasters? Check with NASA – they say it is baloney, malarkey…well, you know the rest.
- September 23rd being the 33rd day after the eclipse? That is true, and bears no significance whatsoever on the return of Jesus.
- January 27 significant as a date for the return of Jesus? No, but it will be my 52nd birthday, Lord willing, please mark your calendars.
I went a little tongue-in-cheek there, but you get the drift. Now for some serious business.
- Jesus is coming back. Christians have always believe that, and with good justification. The Scriptures are abundantly clear on that issue. Does the world think we are silly for believing that? Yes, of course, but many also think we are silly for believing that he came the first time, that he was and is the Son of God, and that he rose from the dead. The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing; to those who are being saved, however, it is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18).
- We do not know when Jesus is returning. Moreover, we will not know, try to figure it out as we might. Jesus’ call to us is to be found ready and busy at the task he has assigned to each of us. If we do so, we still will not know the day of his return, but whatever day it is, it will not catch us “sleeping” (Mark 13:35).
- We are in the end times. We have been since Jesus’ first advent. His appearing ushered in the final days. You, I, and everyone who has lived since that first Christmas have lived our lives in the “end times” (Mark 13:3-8; Heb. 1:2).
- Good, genuine Christians have different convictions concerning the “last days.” If you have questions, ask me, I’m the only one who has it right. : ) (I jest again, of course.) Studying the “isms” of end time eschatology (Dispensationalism, Amillennialism, Post-millinnialism, Pre-millinnialism) to name a few, can be fun, enlightening, and helpful in your Christian walk. But please, please do not make it essential teaching. Let’s offer grace to our brothers and sisters who think differently than we do on these matters. We can always tease those who got it wrong for eternity in heaven.
The world did not end Saturday – no surprise there. However, it will someday, and the good news is that those of us who have placed our hope and faith in Christ will experience it, one way or another (1 Thess. 4:13-18). So be of good cheer, be watchful and alert, and pray “Amen, come Lord Jesus.”
Grace and peace,
Pastor Jym