From the time of Lactantius who set the date to be A.D. 200 to the present, there are others who set or predict dates for the Lord Jesus second coming. In different era of time, because of the different settings and reasons, the appointed time was given to encourage believers. However, it is also a sword with no handle, disappointing those who really believed and did not see the fulfillment of the ‘appointed’ times. Some left, became disillusion, wondering whether there is really a second coming of Jesus.
We have to be careful of the ‘theories’ on how the dates were set:
E.g. ‘1 day to 1000 years’ theory, ‘the reference of the fig tree as the birthing of Israel’ and so on…
First of all, Jesus told as plainly through the incident on the Mount of Olives. He said in Mark 13:28-37 (NASB95) 28 "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 "Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 30 "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 32 "But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.33 "Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.
34 "It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. 35 "Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 "What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!' "
34 "It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. 35 "Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 "What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!' "
Also in another incident before His Acension whereby the disciples were asking whether He is restoring the Kingdom, He answered in Acts 1:6-7 (NASB95) 6 So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
What I understand of Jesus is saying through these incidents are that we should not be too occupied by knowing the date or even setting the date, especially for others. However, we should be on the alert (4X mentioned in v33, v34, v35 and v37 of Mark 13).
What are we to be alert of?
Answer: v36 - - - in case the master’s servants are asleep when the master comes back.
“Lord, give me grace to set my eyes on you always. Give me grace to complete the tasks that you have given me. Give me grace to see that while You tarries your return, that my loves one will also know You and Your saving grace”
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