Christ First Forum

by **Remnant** » 09 Jun 2010, 20:49

With the imminent soon return of the Lord on the horizon and prophecy is unfolding before our very eyes, we need to be carful to not let ourselves start setting dates or believe in date setting.

Nowhere in the Scripture can I find where believers are commanded to figure out or know the date of Christ's return. In fact, there is a great deal of Scriptural warning against date setting.

Matt. 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Matt. 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Matt. 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Acts 1:7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

I Thess. 5:1-2 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

The Scripture teaches that we should be ready at anytime for the return of Christ. Nevertheless, many religious leaders claim to have discovered hidden codes in the Scripture, special methods of interpretation or revelation from God that allows them to determine the time of Christ's return.

The internet abounds with prophecies about the return of Christ in and especially 2010. Yet, This has been going on for centuries.

Date setting has been around since the Lord Jesus announced that He would be returning. Dates have been set since the first century and if you are reading this article, then it is obvious they have all been wrong. Many dates have been set on a hunch, or on a supposed vision, or political events, or supposed time paths in Scripture but no matter what method is used, the outcome is the same, ERROR! Here is a list of some of them:

80 AD ----- Ben Zakkai died about 80, and expected the Messiah about the time of his death
331 AD --- Tichonus writer of the fourth century
470 AD ----Rabbi Hanina
500 AD ----Hippolytus (170-236) and Lactantius (250-330)
1000 AD --Hysteria reigned at this magical date
1009 ------- Rain of blood; sun turns red and fails to shine for three days; plague and death follow
1147 AD - Gerard of Poehlde decided that the millennium had actually started in 306 AD during Constantine's reign. Thus, the world end would happen in 1306 AD.
1179 AD - John of Toledo predicted the end of the world in 1186 AD
1533 AD - Melchior Hoffman
1689 AD - Benjamin Keach
1794 AD - Charles Wesley
1844 AD - William Miller (7th Day Adventists)
1859 AD - Rev. Thomas Parker expected the Millenium to begin
1910 AD - Charles Taze Russell
1914 AD - Jehovah’s Witness
1981 AD - Hal Lindsey
1988 AD - Edgar Whisenant
1988 AD - J.R. Church (Hidden Prophecies in the Psalms)
1989 AD - Edgar Whisenant
1992 AD - Korean group called (Mission for the coming days)
1994 AD - Pastor John Hinkle
1998 AD - Heng Ming-Chen leader of Taiwanese cult out of Garland Texas
1999 AD - Kirk Nelson
2000 AD - Lester Sumrall
2000 AD - Tom Holt (Editor of Family Radio Digest)
2008 AD - Marilyn Agee
2011 AD - Harold Camping (He has also named the day May 21 for the rapture and October 21 for the annihilation of the unsaved)
2012 AD - The Mayan Calendar ends on December 21

As you can see the list is long for those who feel they could know the timing of the Lord’s return, yet this is an incomplete list. Whether they try to set a date by a supposed vision or a time path, the end is a failure. There is one verse which must be factored in when we have a subject like date setting.

(Deu 29:29 KJV) The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

I would not at all be surprised if Christ returns during that time frame. But if He does, it won't have anything to do with the calculations of any man or woman.

Deut. 29:29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Six reasons why I believe date setting is dangerous.

1.People begin to live by sight instead of by faith.
Rom 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.

There are many Scriptures teaching us to look for the signs of the coming of the Lord Jesus but if we knew the exact date of Christ’s return, Bible study would cease and faith would go out the window. 2 Cor 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) If we knew the exact date of Christ’s return, there would be no one walking by faith, all would be walking by sight in contradiction to God’s Word.

2. It lessens the importance of Biblical Studies
2 Tim 2:15 KJV Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The needed Bible studies in the church today should be focused on the subjects of salvation, doctrinal truths, Christian living in perilous times, etc.

3.It Divides Congregations
Rom 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

Any doctrine which borders on the extraordinary will cause some type of division in any local church. If a person comes into a congregation and says that he or she knows what day the Lord is returning, you would definitely challenge them but there will be a few in that assembly who would probably take their side which would begin a rift in the congregation. I have seen this happen as a pastor.

The real problem with introducing these type of things is that you will hurt the young believers in your church. If you think you have a date for the Lord’s return, then it best kept to ones self, so it will not deminish the faith of young believers and bring confusion to body of Christ.

4. Date Setters Draw Attention to Themselves
Gal 6:3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Date setters think they have a deeper handle on God’s word than others do. Pride comes before a fall!

5. They Turn Hope to Disappointment
Ezek 13:6 They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD!’ But the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed.

This is what the date setter does, they set a date and people hope in their words, and when it does not come to pass, the people lose hope and become discouraged. This is why any type of date setting, even with a question mark behind it, will cause people to hope and then when it all comes to naught, they become discouraged.

It is arrogant to think that they can think on the same level with God. Only God knows the date of His return to earth, and no mere human, is going to find that one out.

God tells us to have patience as we wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus. Why would be told to have patience, if we can know the exact date of His return. If we knew the date, it would then be anxiety and then the Bible tells us to be anxious for nothing. Phil. 4:6

6. Date Setters are Never Right
Jer 23:16 Thus says the LORD of hosts: Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the LORD.
Date setters try to make themselves sound like everything they received is out of the Bible. God warns that we are not to listen to these false teachings.

In Summary
I as much as anyone can clearly see that the Lord might come get His glorious church any moment and we are to look for His return, but caution is to be used.

We are to continue to preach the return of the Lord, for the King is coming. Look up for our redemption draws near.

We are to continue warning and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Look to the word of God for His promises and our hope, but date setting is dangerous and misleading and I believe if Christ had wanted us to know the date of His return, He would have told us clearly in the Scripture.

Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus!

by **Remnant** » 18 May 2011, 07:12

With all the false predictions in the news lately, I thought this needed bumping up.

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Date Setting and its dangers

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