End Time Prophecy -- 09/23/2017 ???

This is the one-year anniversary of September 23, 2017.

That date might not ring a bell, but there was quite a flurry of activity on the Internet a year ago about a date that would usher in the 'beginning' of the end times. Today, on the anniversary of that date, I wanted to re-post my blog from a year ago that addressed how we (Christians) are to understand biblical teachings regarding the 'end of time' in light of the unending predictions that litter social media and other news outlets.

*** Reposted from September 25, 2017 (edited). ***

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Last Saturday, September 23, 2017, was, according to many prognosticators, a very significant day for Christianity. I personally found no one predicting the ‘end of the world,’ but rather, a grand event that would mark the ‘beginning’ of the end times. (If you missed all the hub-bub just look it up on the Internet.) 

One preacher claimed that the biblical statement that ‘no one knows the day and hour’ was about the end of the world, but applied only to people before Jesus ascended to heaven. He went on to say that anyone who disagreed with him was a scoffer.

So, how do people come up with specific dates like this?
Well, as one author put it, there are many ways to misinterpret the Bible. So, instead of trying to identify and untangle potential misinterpretations, why not just take a careful look at Scripture?

There are many claims being made these days concerning the 'end times.' Let’s consider two recent claims:

• Christians can figure out specific dates on which prophesied events from the Bible concerning the end of time will be fulfilled.
• September 23, 2017 marked the appearance of a sign that is found in Revelation 14, and that relates to our future (i.e. the end of the world).

1. Let's begin with Jesus' statement about 'the day and hour.' It is true; Jesus did warn the people of his day saying:

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. (Matthew 24:36)

What did He mean by that?
Luke recorded the exact same occasion in his gospel account. Comparing the accounts of Matthew and Luke is illuminating. And why is that?

• Matthew primarily targeted a Jewish audience who would understand Jewish terminology.
• Luke primarily targeted a non-Jewish (Gentile) audience using non-Jewish terminology that his audience would better understand.

So, Luke's record ‘decodes’ the Jewish terminology used by Matthew on the same occasion as the verse quoted above.

Matthew recorded Jesus saying that a future event would be marked by the "abomination of desolation." More specifically, He told his listeners to literally run to the mountains “when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet….” (Matthew 24:15)

Luke, decoded the words of Jesus for his non-Jewish audience, “when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is at hand.” (Luke 21:20)

The Roman army surrounded Jerusalem and laid siege to it ultimately ending with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. So, the 'abomination of desolation' was a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem and it took place in the lifetime of those listening to Jesus on that day. It is understandable then why Jesus also said:

This generation will not pass away until all these things take place. (Matthew 24:34)

So, Jesus’ statement in Matthew 24 about 'no one knowing the day and hour' applied specifically to the destruction of Jerusalem. And while no one knew the specific day and hour in advance, Jesus gave the people a warning sign that they could recognize.

So, is it possible that later Christians can figure out the ‘day and time’ of the end of the world?

Short answer: No.
Consider the following verse as explanation:

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10)

This verse is clearly refers to the end of the world in which everything will be burned up. The Apostle Peter wrote this to a Christian audience well after the ascension of Jesus into heaven. So, no one can claim that the teaching applied only to those at the time of Jesus. And whether God revealed the end of time date to the ascended Jesus, as some claim, is immaterial. Peter said the time will "come like a thief," meaning, a time that is unknown. 

Peter's statement applies equally to Christians today. So, the conclusion that Christians today can accurately calculate the date of 'end time activities' or the specific date of the 'end of the world' is based on speculative human reasoning and conflicts with scripture.

2. What about the Book of Revelation and the great sign of 09/23/2017?

Let's look at a few statements made at the beginning and end of the Book of Revelation.

At the beginning of the Book of Revelation John was instructed by an angel to write what he was told. At times he recorded the actual words of the resurrected/ascended Jesus. The following things were revealed to John at the beginning of the book:

• The things revealed in the book “must shortly take place.” (1:1)
• Blessed are the ones who read and heed the writing, “for the time is near.” (1:3) [So, the 1st Century reader was expected to read and respond to the things written.]

The following things were revealed to John at the end of the book:

• An angel was sent to show John “the things which must shortly take place.” (22:6)
• Jesus explicitly said to John, “And behold, I am coming quickly.” (22:7)
• John was told to NOT seal up (conceal, hide) the message of the book, “for the time is near.” (22:10)

These statements form what you might call 'bookends' to the entire revelation that John received...and what do they reveal?
Whatever people think about the prophetic imagery in the book of Revelation, John and his readers understood the message to be for them, in their time. So, from our perspective today, the events referenced in the Book of Revelation are history.

Conclusion:

Christians should anticipate the return of Jesus with readiness. That means that they must remain faithful to Jesus and follow His word continually. Then, whenever He returns, they will not be caught off guard and unprepared.

Spending time calculating the end of time is futile. In fact, when predictions fail, it teaches non-believers to stop listening to the message of the Bible! 

The gospel message on the lips of a true disciple is a much better message to non-believers than subjective predictions that breed contempt and, ultimately, unbelief!

Mark Stinnett