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the bible says no one knows theday or the hour of jesus return

2007-10-09 10:44:18 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

17 answers

The composite sign discussed by Jesus in the Gospels as identifying his "presence" ("parousia" or "return" or "[second] coming") seem quite obviously to require a fulfillment over several years, at least (see Matthew chapter 24). This shouldn't surprise Christians, because Christ's FIRST "presence" (or "coming") also lasted for decades.

While it is true that Jehovah's Witnesses have never pretended to know the precise day or hour that Christ sat on his heavenly throne, Jehovah's Witnesses also believe that Scriptures such as Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32 refer to the full fulfillment of that sign at Armageddon.

(Matthew 24:36) Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father.

(Matthew 25:13) Keep on the watch, therefore, because you know neither the day nor the hour.

(Mark 13:32-33) Concerning that day or the hour nobody knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but the Father. Keep looking, keep awake, for you do not know when the appointed time is.


Regarding 1914, the Scriptures do show that Jesus sat on the throne of the Messianic Kingship that year. In hindsight, most of humankind can see the historic upheaval that began with World War I. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that mankind in general has seen a wide range of specific signs since 1914, and that anyone can perceive these as significant without even opening a bible.

Yet the bible DOES comment upon it! Jesus foretold this specific collection of signs as evidence that his "presence" or so-called 'second coming' had arrived. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that "presence" to be Jesus' presence as the King of God's Kingdom. Citations are from both New World Translation (NWT) and Youngs Literal Translation (YLT).

(Matthew 24:3, NWT) disciples approached [Jesus] privately, saying: "Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence
(Matthew 24:3, YLT) the disciples came near to [Jesus], saying, 'Tell us, when shall these be? and what is the sign of thy presence...?

(Luke 21:7,24, NWT) Teacher, when will these things actually be, and what will be the sign when these things are destined to occur?
(Luke 21:7,24, YLT) Teacher, when, then, shall these things be? and what is the sign when these things may be about to happen?'

Amazingly, since the 1870's, Jehovah's Witnesses had recognized 1914 as a significant year according to the chronology indicated in bible prophecy. Decades before 1914, Witnesses noted that Jesus' discussion of his second "coming", or second "presence" specifically mentions "the appointed times of the nations", which Jehovah's Witnesses believe to be a centuries-long period of relative godlessness when God's rulership through the Davidic kingship was interrupted (the line of hereditary kings beginning with King David of Israel). Jehovah's Witnesses recognize that the Davidic kingship ended in 607 BCE when Jerusalem fell to Babylon, and would begin again during the fulfillment of the composite "sign" of Matthew 24 and Luke 21.

(Luke 21:24, NWT) Jerusalem [or 'Davidic kingship'] will be trampled on by the nations, until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled.
(Luke 21:24, YLT) Jerusalem [or 'Davidic kingship'] shall be trodden down by nations, till the times of nations be fulfilled.

How long would "the appointed times of the nations" last? Daniel chapter 4 contains a prophecy in which God's rulership, through the Davidic kings is represented by a "tree". That tree is kept down for "seven times", which seems to be seven periods of 360 "days" (See Rev 12:6,14). So Daniel 4:15 seems to be referring to 2520 "days" when God's governmental rulership would not be seen.

(Daniel 4:11-17, NWT) The tree grew up and became strong, and its very height finally reached the heavens, and it was visible to the extremity of the whole earth. ...14 He ["a holy one"] was calling out loudly, and this is what he was saying: "CHOP the tree down... 15 However, LEAVE its rootstock itself in the earth... let seven times pass over it. 17 ...that people living may know that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind and that to the one whom he wants to, he gives it and he sets up over it even the lowliest one of mankind.
(Daniel 4:11-17, YLT) Become great hath the tree, yea, strong, and its height doth reach to the heavens, and its vision to the end of the whole land...14 He ["a holy one"] is calling mightily, and thus hath said, Cut down the tree...15 but the stump of its roots leave in the earth...and seven times pass over him; 17 ...that the living may know that the Most High is ruler in the kingdom of men, and to whom He willeth He giveth it, and the lowest of men He doth raise up over it.



But in history, 2520 days is not a significant amount of time. Jehovah's Witnesses look to Scriptures such as Num 14:34 and Ez 4:6 and re-examine the history using 2520 YEARS instead. From 607 BCE to 1914 CE is 2520 years; so many significant things happened that year, and World War I was only one part!.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_09.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_10.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_02.htm

2007-10-09 23:53:31 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 2 4

They want you to believe that they are God's voice on earth and his only organization...Only proble, with that, is that they are ALWAYS wrong....Oops!

they are a cult, and they are doing a fine job spreading a false gospel.

Jehovah's Witnesses claim to be God's only prophet....Does God not condemn them?
Remember Deut. 18:22, "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him." If someone makes a false prophecy, and they have claimed to be a prophet of God, then they are false prophets and are not to be listened to.
Do the Witnesses claim to be the prophet of God? Yes, they do.

In 1972 the Jehovah's Witness Watchtower claimed to be the prophet of God.
IDENTIFYING THE "PROPHET" -- "So does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come? These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet?...This "prophet" was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah's Christian Witnesses..
1 day ago - 6 days left to answer.
Additional Details
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1897 "Our Lord, the appointed King, is now present, since October 1874," Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 4, page 621.

1899 "...the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty' (Revelation 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth's present rulership, is already commenced." The Time Is at Hand, page 101 (1908 edition).

1916 "The Bible chronology herein presented shows that the six great 1000 year days beginning with Adam are ended, and that the great 7th Day, the 1000 years of Christ's Reign, began in 1873." The Time Is at Hand, page ii, (forward).

1918 "Therefore 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 11, to the condition of human perfection." Millions Now Living Will Never Die, page 89.

1922 "The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures than 1914." The Watchtower 9/1/22, page 262.

1923 "Our t
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1923 "Our thought is, that 1925 is definitely settled by the Scriptures. As to Noah, the Christian now has much more upon which to base his faith than Noah had upon which to base his faith in a coming deluge." The Watchtower, page 106 4/1/23.

1925 "The year 1925 is here. With great expectation Christians have looked forward to this year. Many have confidently expected that all members of the body of Christ will be changed to heavenly glory during this year. This may be accomplished. It may not be. In his own due time God will accomplish his purposes concerning his people. Christians should not be so deeply concerned about what may transpire this year." The Watchtower, 1/1/25, page. 3.

1925 "It is to be expected that Satan will try to inject into the minds of the consecrated, the thought that 1925 should see an end to the work." The Watchtower, Sept, 1925 page 262.
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1926 "Some anticipated that the work would end in 1925, but the Lord did not state so. The difficulty was that the friends inflated their imaginations beyond reason; and that when their imaginations burst asunder, they were inclined to throw away everything." The Watchtower, page 232.

1931 "There was a measure of disappointment on the part of Jehovah's faithful ones on earth concerning the years 1917, 1918, and 1925, which disappointment lasted for a time...and they also learned to quit fixing dates." Vindication, page 338.

1941 "Receiving the gift, the marching children clasped it to them, not a toy or plaything for idle pleasure, but the Lord's provided instrument for most effective work in the remaining months before Armageddon." The Watchtower, 9/15/41, page 288.

1968 "True, there have
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1968 "Why are you looking forward to 1975?" The Watchtower, 8/15/68, page 494.

A JW might say that the organization is still learning. If that is so, then how can they trust what they are taught now by the Watchtower? Will what they are being taught now change also?
A true prophet of God won't err in prophesying. Only a false prophet does. The Jehovah's Witness organization, that claims to be a prophet of God, is really a false prophet. Jesus warned us by saying, "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect -- if that were possible" (Matt. 24:24).

2007-10-10 03:40:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4 3

As there seems many responses masking why Jehovahs Witnesses have self belief Jesus Presence would be invisible. i could purely decide to characteristic those scriptures to the communicate. Hebrews a million:3 states that (after his ascension) Jesus now "reflects the brightness of God's glory and is the top likeness of God's very own being.."(stable information bible) additionally, Jesus will take a seat at God's top factor 'till' God as positioned all his enemies as a footstool under his ft! - Hebrews a million:13. for this reason as "no you are able to see God at any time" - Exodus 33:20; a million John 4:12. Then this needless to say shows no person in the international will see Jesus 'in individual' returned! all of the artwork of salvation would be achieved via God's angels by Jesus's authority - Hebrews a million:14; a million Peter 3:22. additionally, to coach that Jesus became into no longer a 'coming' yet greater of a presence. be conscious Jesus words at Matthew 24:37-39 the place he mentions the 'days' of Noah to be equivalent to his presence. study with Luke 17:26-30 that still says the 'days' of the Son of guy would be purely with the aid of fact the days of Noah. Footnote: at first, The watchtower would not 'play video games' with words as troll to troll wrongly assumes; yet did their 'study' employing diverse greek interlinears and expository dictionaries that are obtainable in lots of libraries international extensive! Why no longer bypass and take a glance sometime? additionally, surfari, you will locate that parousia would nicely be translated 'presence' as shown interior the Vine's Expository Dictionary of previous & New testomony words and Liddell & Scotts Greek- English Lexicon(1968) needless to say shows..! the place parousia actual comes from the meaning "being alongside", "pa·ra´" meaning 'alongside'; And "ou·si´a" meaning 'being'. you will additionally locate many bible translations swap from 'coming' to 'presence' because it suits, the place paraousia became into written any way, including at 2 Corinthians 10:10 & Philippians 2:12!!

2016-10-08 22:13:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Unfortunately you misunderstand.
JWs point out the time Jesus began ruling in heaven as King, his 'coming' in the sense of beginning to execute his duties as king. The first thing he did was to throw Satan and his demons out of heaven. Bible chronology shows that this happened in 1914.
The return that no one knows about is the end of this system of things, when Jesus rids the earth of wickedness, wicked people and Satan. That will be the time he will usher in the wonderful times we are looking forward to. That is why we have to keep on the watch, because at an hour when no one (not even the JWs) is expecting, that is when he will return.
Hope that clears up things.

Edit: cmhelp1- it's good that you have brought up that verse- Rev. 7:4-8. Look at that carefully- have you ever heard of the TRIBE OF JOSEPH? Where are the tribes of Ephraim and Dan? the Levites were set aside for temple service but were not reckoned as one of the 12 tribes. That list is not about fleshly Israel. Compare Numbers 1:4-16

2007-10-09 11:05:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2 4

Well I am not too sure but arnt we suppose to look for other signs such as :

The rise of 2 moons in one month
The sun rising from west and setting in the east
Rise and Fall of Anti christ
and so forth.

2007-10-09 11:44:33 · answer #5 · answered by mummyyusuf 4 · 0 1

GOOD QUESTION?

They also believe that John 1:1 is a "god" instead of "GOD"

In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.

They also believe that they are the 144.000 of
Revelation 7:4-8

And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God. There were 144,000 who were sealed from all the tribes of Israel: from JUDAH
12,000 from Reuben
12,000 from Gad
12, from Asher
12,000 from Naphtali
12,000 from Manasseh
12, from Simeon
12,000 from Levi
12,000 from Issachar
12, from Zebulun
12,000 from Joseph
12,000 from Benjamin
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I have often wondered how they fit into this scripture.
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They aslo believe and teach that there is NO burning Hell at the end of Judgement, I was told that Satan and his followers will just vanish.

Re 20:10
Then the Devil, who betrayed them, was thrown into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Re 20:14
And death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death the lake of fire.

Re 20:15
And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
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I just don't know what Bible their getting their false information from :)

God Bless You

2007-10-09 10:57:21 · answer #6 · answered by B Baruk Today 6 · 2 2

do they have a new date?

2007-10-09 10:50:41 · answer #7 · answered by Old guy 5 · 0 3

Not defending them here but they do not claim to know when Jesus will return, however, they have claimed several times in the past to know by prophecying the date, e.g 1918, 1934, 1975, etc. You will be told that this is not true, that they simply pointed to these dated as possibly being significant. sadly, their own, literature betrays the lies.

2007-10-10 04:17:53 · answer #8 · answered by the truth has set me free 4 · 3 3

Pinpoint?? All in all, the Watchtower has predicted the end of the world for 1914, 1918, 1925, 1975, and 1989.

That's not a good track record for a "prophet"

2007-10-09 10:50:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 5 5

It's essentially the same reason that people say he will return at all. They think God told them once. And maybe he did. Who knows? Certainly neither of us, nor anyone else on here.

2007-10-09 11:17:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2 2

LNP's got it right...Jehovah's Witnesses are not Christian, so they do not revere Christian scripture, the ones in which Jesus says no one (not even the Son) knows the day or hour of the end.

2007-10-09 10:49:34 · answer #11 · answered by Kevin 3 · 3 3

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