Date Setters
By Micky Galloway

In their minds, many have the popular conception that a "Golden Age" of universal righteousness is about to dawn upon the earth. Many people within the Church of Christ today are ignorant concerning the doctrine known as "premillennialism." This doctrine has entered, and still remains in, nearly every religious movement. Almost every major denomination or sect (Adventists, Jehovah Witnesses, Holiness, Southern Baptist, Christian Church, and some Churches of Christ) that claims to have fundamental faith in the Bible holds to some form of premillennialism. On one hand, we hear people talking about the "signs of the times" and the imminent return of Christ. Commentators and religious leaders, with their prophetic speculations, add to the confusion. Consider the following date setters of the past.

Will there be signs that predict the second coming? In Matthew 24:1-2, Jesus spoke concerning the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. "And Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way; and his disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple. But he answered and said unto them, see ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." This prompted the disciples to ask: "Tell us, when shall these things be? And what (shall be) the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matthew 24:1-3)

Jesus began to answer their questions by telling them some things that would occur that would NOT be signs at all (Matthew 24:4-13). These would NOT even be signs of the destruction of Jerusalem. There would be false Christs (vs.5).

Since the Jews expected the Messiah to set up a political kingdom, claiming to be the Christ would enhance any political leader's power. There would be wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes (vs.6-7). These have always been, and still are, signs of nothing at all. Within Rome, four emperors came to a violent death within the short space of 18 months. In Seleucia, 50,000 Jews were slain. In Caesarea, a battle between Syrians and Jews resulted in the death of 20,000 Jews. Acts 11:28 mentions a famine that occurred in the days of Claudius Caesar. Many earthquakes were documented in this area before A.D. 70. Yet, Jesus told the disciples, "see that ye be not troubled: for (these things) must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet." (Matthew 24:6)

There would, however, be a very definite sign of Jerusalem's approaching destruction. Jesus said, "When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that readeth understand), then let them that are in Judea flee unto the mountains." (Matthew 24:15-16) In the parallel passage, Luke wrote that this refers to the Roman army, "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her." (Luke 21:20-21). Therefore, when they saw the city of Jerusalem encompassed by soldiers, they were to flee to the mountains immediately, not even returning to their houses.

But are there signs that will predict Christ's second coming? Jesus said, "BUT OF THAT DAY AND HOUR KNOWETH NO ONE ..." (Matthew 24:36) Clearly, in verse 36 the subject matter changes. Matthew 24:4-35 discusses the plural "days." "These days" (vs.19,22,29) describes the period of Jerusalem's destruction. Matthew 24:36, 42, 50, and 25:13 discuss the singular, "that day and hour." The expressions, "the day," "the great day," "that day," and "that hour," are used in Scripture to describe the final day of judgment (cf. Matthew 7:22; Matthew 11:22,24; Matthew 12:36). Jesus said regarding "that day," "Knoweth no man." (vs.36)

Note the contrast between the destruction of Jerusalem and the second coming of Christ. Before the destruction of Jerusalem, there would be specific signs; this would allow time for them to flee from the city into the mountains. However, when Christ returns, and the world ends, no signs will be given; time will seem normal; He will come as suddenly as a thief in the night.

The lesson is, "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come" "...be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not, the son of man cometh." (vs.42,44) The suddenness and unexpectedness of the Lord's second coming is illustrated in the three parables that follow: the parable of the servants (Matthew 24:45-51), the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), and the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). This context emphasizes the need to be ready for the Lord's coming, for when he comes there will be judgment. What Jesus said regarding the destruction of Jerusalem did indeed come to pass in 70 A.D. when Titus the Roman general conquered Jerusalem. It is essential that we listen to Jesus' warning: "Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour." (Matthew 25:13)

I've always been amazed that these so-called "date setters" have any creditability at all. Many, such as the Jehovah Witnesses, have on numerous occasions, predicted the end of time; they've been wrong every time! Many have hoodwinked folks into disposing of their possessions, only to find that they have to replace them because the "end" didn't come. They tell us the timetable was off, and the dates need to be adjusted. Maybe it's their thinking that needs adjustment! (KMG)


Go Back to our Main Page