No man knows the day or hour

[Anon]

So I'm just curious...read an article today that scientists think the earth may sustain an asteriod hit in 2036. Now I do know that Revelation does include some things including the earth being hit by various explosives, or asteroids...wormwood...whatever....

Does anyone think that this will be an object already in orbit, so therefore moderately predictable, or do you think God will send His own object?

I was just thinking, we don't know the day nor the hour, but can the "signs of of the times" be accurately interpreted well enough for Christians to get an idea of the general year(s) Christ may return?

[HappyChristian]

It could be either. But God has used natural disasters since the flood. There is also the possibility that the melting heat that is prophesied is nuclear. With all the rogue countries going after nukes, it wouldn't surprise me if humans don't destroy the earth themselves...

[Anon]

I have definitely heard and agree with the nuclear theory....including the sun turning to blood and the moon to sackcloth which is what they would look like if the atmosphere were filled with thick smoke.

I just wondered if God would send enough signs for Christians to be able to pin everything down to within a year or two....curiosity I guess.

[HappyChristian]

I have definitely heard and agree with the nuclear theory....including the sun turning to blood and the moon to sackcloth which is what they would look like if the atmosphere were filled with thick smoke.

I just wondered if God would send enough signs for Christians to be able to pin everything down to within a year or two....curiosity I guess.

Yeah, I've often wondered the same thing. We know we are in the last days (that's been since Paul's time), but just how long those last days are...With the junk going on in Egypt, one has to wonder if we aren't in the final parts of the last days, and if the problems there don't indicate that, I don't know if anything ever will.

[Anon]

I mean technically, if they had a true asteriod truly pinned down to 2036, then technically we could maybe expect the rapture between 2028-2030 ish...which even doing the math, any DAY now would be "right" as far as the math that's already been done using the Bible.

Eh. Just fun to think about.

[HappyChristian]

Yeah, I think it's fun to think about, too. I do wonder, though, how they could pin down an asteroid at that exact year. All kinds of things could happen to alter the path the asteroid is taking.

[John81]

I think the main signs for Christians to notice will be more spiritual in nature than anything physical. As such, I don't think there will any way to even estimate a general span of the end coming within a certain period of time.

Many saw the "sign" of Israel becoming a nation again in 1948 as a sign that Christ would return within 40 years. That didn't happen. Many then changed their speculation to Christ returning 40 years after the Jews took over Jerusalem. Again, didn't happen.

I believe the signs we (Christians) are to be looking at are mostly within the spiritual realm. The spiritual climate in the churches, including our own church, as well as in our nation and around the world.

[Covenanter]

The Mongol hordes; the black death; the Reformation when the power of the Roman antichrist was broken; the world wars; Israel; ....

There will be no last sign - & Jesus will come to world that is totally unprepared & in ever-increasing rebellion as in the days of Noah. Hopefully the faithful will be watching & praying - ready.

Edited February 10, 2011 by Covenanter

[JerryNumbers]

Amen John, You know, the Christians that went on and on about the happening in 1948 being a sign that Jesus would soon come did more harm than good.

The best thing we can do is keep it plain, the Bible is so clear, "be ye ready," He will come at a time "ye think not." If we say more than the Bible says on this issue, we have said to much, we have much more that Jesus who had more right to speak of that days coming than any human.

Mt 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Lu 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.


Mr 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Ac 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.

1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

Any more than that does a great diservice to our Lord. Its clear, its not for NONE of us to know.

[John81]

The Mongol hordes; the black death; the Reformation when the power of the Roman antichrist was broken; the world wars; Israel; ....

There will be no last sign - & Jesus will come to world that is totally unprepared & in ever-increasing rebellion as in the days of Noah. Hopefully the faithful will be watching & praying - ready.

So true. Jesus said there would be no signs yet all those things you mentioned, and so much more, was viewed as signs of the end; including the Dust Bowl in America, the New Madrid earthquakes in the 1800s, the movements of various comets, the aligning of certain stars and planets, World War One and World War Two, etc.

We are told that it will be as in the days of Noah, wickedness abounding but everyone going about their lives as if there is no concern, and Christians are told to be living for the Lord so when His unannounced return does come, we will be found about His business, not our own.

[Invicta]

I think the main signs for Christians to notice will be more spiritual in nature than anything physical. As such, I don't think there will any way to even estimate a general span of the end coming within a certain period of time.

Many saw the "sign" of Israel becoming a nation again in 1948 as a sign that Christ would return within 40 years. That didn't happen. Many then changed their speculation to Christ returning 40 years after the Jews took over Jerusalem. Again, didn't happen.

I believe the signs we (Christians) are to be looking at are mostly within the spiritual realm. The spiritual climate in the churches, including our own church, as well as in our nation and around the world.

These interpretation of signs are all based on a false interpretation of prophecy. Many still do.

[John81]

Amen John, You know, the Christians that went on and on about the happening in 1948 being a sign that Jesus would soon come did more harm than good.

The best thing we can do is keep it plain, the Bible is so clear, "be ye ready," He will come at a time "ye think not." If we say more than the Bible says on this issue, we have said to much, we have much more that Jesus who had more right to speak of that days coming than any human.

Mt 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Lu 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.


Mr 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Ac 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.

1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

Any more than that does a great diservice to our Lord. Its clear, its not for NONE of us to know.

We are to be busy, as the Lord commands, casting off our old self, putting on Christ, and being busy about His work. Will Christ find faith when He returns? What a question to really think about! Just how many truly faithful will there be when He returns? Do we want to be found living our lives as we are today or would we much prefer to be living a much holier life, being the salt and light about His business when He returns?

[JerryNumbers]

However, I do believe that we see signs that we are in the latter days.

Mt 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

However Jesus doesn't have much good at all to say about those who keep seeking signs, yet there be a number of evangelist, even preachers and pastors, book writers too, that make their living saying they are reading the signs of the time, translating them for us, and always proclaiming this or that at every happening. Many fall for them, supporting their way. They would do better to spend their money putting out the 'Gospel of Jesus Christ.'

I would not let one of them behind my pulpit nor would I spend a penny on their books.

[John81]

However, I do believe that we see signs that we are in the latter days.

Mt 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

However Jesus doesn't have much good at all to say about those who keep seeking signs, yet there be a number of evangelist, even preachers and pastors, book writers too, that make their living saying they are reading the signs of the time, translating them for us, and always proclaiming this or that at every happening. Many fall for them, supporting their way. They would do better to spend their money putting out the 'Gospel of Jesus Christ.'

I would not let one of them behind my pulpit nor would I spend a penny on their books.

Jack Van Impe and many others make their living off this.

[JerryNumbers]

Jack Van Impe and many others make their living off this.

And many unknowns make their way through many communities.