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“Is it The End, Again?"

“Is it The End, Again?"

 

     While driving to Sacramento recently, I noticed billboards that advertised an imminent Day of Judgment.  May 21, 2011 is the day Family Radio has set for Jesus to return and Judgment Day to begin.  One corner of the billboard even said, “The Bible Guarantees It.”
    
      Does it really?  Does the Bible guarantee that Judgment Day will begin on May 21?  The Bible does address the issue of Christ’s return.  As we work toward the Bible answer, please consider 4 important points:
    
     First, God has given a test to determine who is not really speaking for Him. Deuteronomy 18:21-22 says if someone speaks for the Lord (i.e., makes a prophecy) and that prophecy does not come true, then we may be sure that individual is not endorsed by God.
    
    Second, numerous dates have been set for Christ’s return which came to naught.  One website documents at least 200 (http://www.bible.ca/pre-date-setters.htm).  Some of the more recent predictions are: Charles T. Russell (founder of “Jehovah’s Witnesses”) set the date at 1910.  David Koresh (of the Branch Davidians) predicted 1995, but he died in 1993.  Louis Farrakhan envisioned 1991; and Family Radio’s president, Harold Camping, already set the date once at September, 1994.  Remember Duet. 18:22.
    
     Third, while on earth, Jesus said He did not even know the time of His return (Matthew 24:36-37).  Later, the apostle Paul likened Christ’s return to a thief coming at night (1 Thess. 5:2).  What thief lets you know when he is coming?  If you find it incredible that someone, living nearly 2,000 years past the time Jesus did, can accurately determine the day of Christ’s return, when Jesus Himself could not, then you are not alone.  May 22 will be the proof, though.
    
      Fourth, there is wisdom in God not revealing the day of Christ’s return.  If God told us when Jesus would return, then we would not have to continually live above reproach.  If, however, He could return at any moment (like Scripture teaches), then we have to constantly be on our guard and live wholesome lives (Matt. 25:13; Mark 13:32-37; Acts 1:7). 
   
    Folks, do not be satisfied with merely believing what others say the Bible teaches--read it for yourself (Acts 17:11).  The Bible makes plain that no one knows the day of Christ’s return.  The best thing we can do until that time is live the faithful Christian life--the very best life!