September 23rd has come and gone. Jesus has not yet come, as far as I know, and so I wonder for all those who expected him to come on that date, “Now what?”
We cannot know the time but we must watch the signs and see the seasons. (Matthew 24)
But as time ticks by and the year is in its autumn, we look to October and the Feast of Tabernacles. But if something significant doesn’t happen then, “Then what?”
Our faith is not by sight, though we look for signs of Jesus’ return and God’s kingdom coming to earth. I have no doubt in Jesus: He was hanged on a cross, died, was buried and rose again.
But what of the prompting I had to get back to the home country of England by September? And what for the thousands who believed the Rapture or even the End date of 21-23 September 2017?
How do we hang on when signs tell us God is moving, yet He appears not to have changed anything? How do we hang on when contradictions seem to abound?
I remember Jesus. I hang on in all circumstances because I know that Jesus died for me on a cross two thousand years ago and he lives, and intercedes for me in heaven. I know because I know.
All else pales into insignificance.
4 replies on “Reflecting on Prophecy and Expectation of Jesus’ immanent return”
Heya Sarah,
Although Jesus told us to “watch out for signs” He also said “no man knows the day or the hour”. So, that is what I hold onto.
I believe it is our responsibility to watch, pray and be ready. But, just as an expectant mother is given a due date for her baby to arrive, no-one can be completely accurate when the child will be born. Not even the doctors, unless it is a planned c-section. We must stand on Jesus’ words, not man’s predictions.
And, I’m sure the Lord will reveal his reasons for wanting you back in the UK soon enough.
Many blessings,
Rose
Could not agree with you more, Rose. Thank you for sharing. So appreciate your reading and feeding back. I’m sure it blesses others too.
Hiya, Sarah. I’ve a question or two for you. First, are you originally from the U.K? That’s just idle curiosity, and just as idle hands are the devil’s workshop (or have I messed up that quote?) idle curiosity might not be far behind. It’s just that I remember you on a podcast, ages ago, and don’t recall a British accent. Not important, though.
Second, and perhaps more pertinent, I hadn’t heard of the significance of Sept. 21-23. It does raise a question, though, I’ve been curious about for a long, long time. And it’s this: Is there Biblical precedent for publicizing the precise timing of the believed Rapture or End date?
I remember when I was a kid, looking out through the front-room window at the neighbors working on their garden. My mother, who was a bit of a skeptical person, commented that it was odd they would be working on their garden when they were certain the Second Coming would be in two days.
What is the purpose of such advance announcement. Surely it’s not the pride in being correct, is it?
Anyway, thanks for your always thought-provoking posts.
Hi Jay,
Yes indeed, when first we became internet acquainted, I may have been in Britian or by then Canada. I’m Canadian by birth and moved to the UK about 25-30 years ago. Then back to Canada about 8 years ago, then Spain, then back to Britain. So, there’s a bit of a mid-Atlantic accent I expect:)
As to the second and far more important point, indeed, we are NOT to predict the coming of Jesus but to look at the signs and to be ready. Matthew 24: Jesus shares about the coming of the age and in answer to his disciples “When?”he says, no one knows, not me, only the Father. So, it is natural to see the signs he describes and to wonder When but to categorically define a date would seem, to me, not the right manner to take. I like what Rose mentions above, we are to watch and to be ready but as to date and time, no one knows.
Always enjoy your work and it’s nice to connect as it’s been a while since we first met, with lots of connection gaps on my part… Thanks for writing in!:)