some people profess to know that the messiah is coming soon, but cannot give us a date?

Question

is this as bad as a fortune teller hedging their bets

Answer 1

No. It's worse.

It's worse because such notions are used to control people, and to bolster (often hypocritical) self-rightiousness.

At least everyone knows that fortune-telling is codswallap. Plenty of loons (and loons with power) believe such tosh.

Answer 2

Nobody can "know" when the Messiah is coming. Those that profess to "know" are either lying or decieving themselves...usually the latter.
One thing I do know, however, is that there will be people around saying exactly the sorts of things I'm reading here, so maybe He is coming soon, after all.

2Pe 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
2Pe 3:4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

I wonder how many of these folks realize that they are actually fulfilling prophecy? When you think of it that way, it does get exciting, doesn't it? He could be coming up the front walk, even now!!

Answer 3

We cannot give a date because neither the Messiah nor the one who sent him gave us a date. They did, however, give us a time frame whereby we could discern such. Think about it, though. If we knew precisely when, how would we behave? Suppose we knew he was coming exactly seven years from June 1, 2007? What would we do in that time period? And as the date came closer, how would we correct our course?

On the other hand, not knowing the date allows us to manifest what is truly in our hearts. Do we serve with a date in mind? Or do we serve out of love? Are we motivated by the passage of time or are we motivated by love? Do we 'do our own thing' as the saying goes, and then attempt some overnight penitence just before the deadline? Or do we correct ourselves now, with a view toward always being obedient?

Not knowing a date allows us to show what is really in our hearts.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 4

Yes.
I love to check out the dispensationalist books every few years. Funny how the book of Revelation taught that the Antichrist would be a Nazi in the 40's, a communist in the 80's, head of the European Union in the early 90's, an Iraqi in the late 90's, and an Iranian over the last 6 months. Hal Lindsey devoted quite a bit of space to showing how important Libya and the Iron Curtain were to Biblical prophesy back in the early 80's - funny how his modern books leave that part out, but have plenty to say about Sadam.

Answer 5

If I or anyone can tell me the answer to the date of the coming of the messiah. Then I would like to know the winning numbers for all the Tatts Lotto super draws before the messiah is due to arrive here on earth. That way I'll be able to donate all the winnings into the common fund and that I be appointed treasurer of the common fund for the poor and needy with the messiah.

Answer 6

Trying reading the Bible some time. It gives specific signs that will be warning that the time is near, but states that the day and hour will never be known in advance. So sounds like exact what was predicted is happening.

As to WHY the day and hour is not know, it involves something called science. I know that for generations science taught that the earth was flat. But, thnaks to Pope Urban VIII and support of the works of Galileo, we now know that is it a sphere in shape. Because of that, there are these things called "time zones" around the world. At any given moment, it is 24 different hours and 2 different days across the surface of the plant. So whenever Jesus does return, it will be 24 different hours and 2 different days. So the Bible, knowing that the earth was a sphere (in spite of what science taught) knows that the hour and day are unknowable for a world wide event.

Answer 7

The problem is that the average Christian is spending too much time in front of the TV and no time in thier bible. The bible says that NO MAN knonweth the hour for Jesus' return. We can know the time by signs and most feel that the signs are in place for the Lord to return any day. Paul was looking for Jesus to return 2000 years ago and so am I today but no person can know. If a man sets a date he is a false prophet and the bible says to stone him. HMM say goodby to BEnny HInn, Jerry Falwell, Jim Baker and most of the TV preachers along wiht most in the pulpits today. The sad state in todays America is because we have gotten away from the bible and have turned to entertainment to tell us what we want to hear.

Answer 8

Aaahhh...such a great question, but your focus is in the wrong place. When He will return is not the important part. What is important is that He WILL return. It might be in a moment, or a month, or in ten years. The important thing is that whenever it is - morning, noon, night, rain, hail, sun, or snow - that we are ready. The real question is are you ready? Are you prepared to meet a Holy God? Could you face Him and look into His eyes? I don't know when,but I know He is coming soon.

Answer 9

Why do you need a date, He plainly stated that he will come as a thief in the night, & when he does come, You will not even know it with your kind of question, he will be coming for a Bride That HATH (PASS TENSE) made herself ready, Hath is a process of time, & not a person getting save today & going in the Rapture tomorrow, Yes, that person will be saved, But he won't be a part of the Bride, There is a process of time that the Bride hath Made herself ready.

Answer 10

2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.
9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders,
10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie
12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.
14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.