Bulletin Article for May 25, 2003

Date Setters

by Micky Galloway

In the mind of many there is a 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. Nearly every major denomination or sect claiming fundamental faith in the Bible holds to some form of it; Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Holiness, Southern Baptist, Christian Church and some Churches of Christ. On every hand one can hear people talk about the “signs of the times” and the imminent return of Christ. Commentators and religious leaders have added much confusion with their prophetic speculations.

Consider these date setters of the past. William Miller - Founder of Second Adventists which, under Ellen G. White, evolved into the Seventh Day Adventists set the date for the return of Christ in 1844. When the time came for Miller's prediction to be fulfilled nothing happened. He then set the date forward one year, claiming that he made a mistake and did not read the signs right, but Christ would come in 1845. When the day appointed by Miller came, his followers clothed in white garments climbed upon the hills, up into trees, on top of barns and houses to wait for Jesus. When the evening came, they rolled from their perches a disappointed people, faith and hopes shattered. Charles T. Russell - Founder of the Jehovah's Witness movement set Oct.1914 for Jesus to come and for the millennium to begin. This date too, came and went. Russell moved his date forward to 1918. Russell believed when WWI began that Armageddon was at hand and the end of the world would come with the end of the war. J.F. Rutherford - successor of Russell, preached that “millions now living shall never die.” He affirmed that “we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the apostle in Hebrews chapter eleven, to the condition of human perfection” (Millions Now Living Will Never Die; p.90). He further said, “When the times of restoration begin there will doubtless be many men on the earth who will be very old and almost ready for the tomb. But those who learn of the great ransom-sacrifice and who accept the Ransomer shall return to the days of their youth; they shall be restored to perfection of body and mind and live on the earth forever” (p. 98). Rutherford also died without witnessing the coming of Jesus and the millennium. Mary Baker Eddy of the Christian Science religion likewise believed she would not die. However, at the age of 96 she died and by the same token her death must be regarded as a dying demonstration of the falsity of her claims.

Are there signs that will predict the coming of Christ? In Matthew 24:1-2 Jesus spoke of 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 question from the disciples, “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 (verse 5). As the Jews were expecting the Messiah to set up a political kingdom, claiming he was the Christ would enhance the power of any political leader. There would be wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes (verses 6-7). These have always been and are signs of nothing at all. Within Rome, four emperors came to a violent death in 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 the coming destruction upon Jerusalem. 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 Judaea flee unto the mountains” (Matthew 24:15-16). Luke tells us in the parallel passage that this refers to the Roman army (Luke 21:20-21). Therefore, when they saw the city of Jerusalem encompassed with soldiers they were to flee to the mountains immediately, not even returning to their houses.

But are there signs that will predict the second coming of Christ? Jesus said, “BUT OF THAT DAY AND HOUR KNOWETH NO ONE …” (Matthew 24:36). Clearly, with verse 36 a change of subject matter occurs. Matthew 24:4-35 discusses the plural “days.” “These days” describe the period of the destruction of Jerusalem (verses19, 22, 29). 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 known expressions in Scriptures for the final day of judgment (cf. Matthew 7:22; Matthew 11:22, 24; Matthew 12:36). Jesus said regarding “that day,” “Knoweth no man” (verse 36).

Note the contrast between the destruction of Jerusalem and the second coming of Christ. With the destruction of Jerusalem, there would be specific signs given, there would be time for flight from the city into the mountains. However, with the second coming of Christ and the end of the world, there would be no signs given, times would be normal, his coming would be sudden 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” (verses 42, 44). Three parables follow to illustrate the suddenness and unexpectedness of the Lord's coming: 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 indicates the need to be ready for the Lord's coming, for when he comes there will be the judgment. Jesus' words about the destruction of Jerusalem did indeed come to pass as Titus the Roman general conquered Jerusalem in 70 A.D. It is essential that we listen when Jesus warns, “Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13).