This article talks about another method on how we can conclude that May 21, 2011 is the date of Christ's return - the Rapture. This method is by far the simplest way to learn of this ever-so-important date. If you'd like to learn a more detailed study on this date, please visit the following websites:
These sites show an abundance of Biblical facts that I won't even want to make an attempt to summarize. They factor in the Biblical timeline of the history of the world; the use of numbers by God (numbers like 2, 3, 7, 10, 17, 23 have spiritual meanings); the Great Tribulation, which closely ties in with the end of the external church era; and the unfolding of God's external representation of His kingdom, including churches, to name a few. The studies on these sites use heavy Biblical scriptures and do not contain theological works. This is key because if we are true believers, we only want to rely on the Holy Bible (King James Version is the most accurate translation).
This article will show you a more simplified way to understand that May 21, 2011 is the date of the Rapture. This method is also described briefly on the sites listed above but I would like to show more details. This article is based on the teachings of John McOwen from eBiblefellowship.com.
Before we begin, let me answer the following questions I've been asked before about this subject:
1. Why are you trying to come up with a date of Christ's return?
The following verses say that the true believer must "watch" (or read the Bible) and "blow the "trumpet" (or warn) about His return:
Luke 21:36
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Eze 33:7
7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
Eze. 3:20-21
20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.
When God gives the commandment to "watch", He is effectively saying there are lots of information He has revealed in the Bible concerning His return that we must read about. Otherwise, we'd all be in agreement that, since His return does not have a date, He will come as a "thief in the night". Because He has commanded us to watch and "be sober", this requires an actual date to discover so that we won't be caught sleeping.
To sum up my answer, God's commandment for us to "watch" means there must be a date of His return so that we are not caught by surprise (so that He doesn't come as a "thief in the night"). We cannot be like the 5 Foolish Virgins described in Matthew chapter 25.
2. Doesn't the Bible say He will come "as a thief in the night?"
While it is true that the Bible says Christ will come as "a thief in the night", it also gives so many details that we are to "watch" for His return. For instance, we read in 1 Thess. 5:2,
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
Churches teach this as the basis of His return. I remember reading another article online that discusses May 21, 2011 as the date of the Rapture. At the end, I read comments made by the readers. One of the comments, with the name of "Pastor", said Christ will come as a thief in the night. Whether this person is indeed a pastor or not, it does not matter. This is widely taught. But they fail to read the following verses (4-8):
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
As you can see, those who don't want to know the return of Christ are described by God as "of the night", "sleeping", and "drunken". Those who "watch" are those who continue reading the Bible for His return. The Bible contains massive information about the timeline and His return.
Other verses that talk about this include:
Rev. 3:2-3
2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Rev. 16:15
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
These verses illustrate that if we continue to watch for His return (by searching the Scriptures), then His return will not come to us as a surprise.
Again, I would suggest reading from any of the Websites listed above.
3. But what about Mark 13:32, where it says not even Christ knows when He'll return?
Sure, Mark 13:32 says,
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.
Since Christ is God the Father, the "Son" that's mentioned in this verse is the "son of perdition". In the New Testament, the Greek language did not use capitalization. However, the translators capitalized this thinking it was referring the God the Son. However, since God the Son is God the Spirit, we all know God the Son knows the day and hour of His return. In this verse, the "Son" is Satan, as he's the "son of perdition"...
Interesting to read your post but I don't believe we can fix a date for Christ's return. Yes we do need to be watchful and we can see the signs of his return being near even at the door but I do think there is a need to be careful about setting dates, even the JW's have realised this type of error. I can't agree either that Mark is talking about the 'son of perdition'. I believe it is Jesus, Phil 2:7 says Jesus "made Himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." We do forget sometimes that whilst Jesus was on earth he was like as we are and therefore I don't believe he would know the date of his return. This would not make him any less God the Son and equal with the Father but I don't believe Jesus was the Father whilst he was on the earth.
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