Are We Near the End?
A recent announcement of the end of the world says that this momentous event will take place this coming Saturday, May 21, 2011, at 6:00 P.M, (I don’t know what time zone is referred to here) with full page ads in national newspapers and magazines. Actually a number of people, prominent publications, radio and TV stations and prognosticators have bought into this.
With many unsettling events transpiring in our world today, many people are becoming preoccupied with “end time matters,” and the possibility of the end of the world and Christ’s return. Please keep in mind Solomon’s statement, “There is nothing new under the sun.”
Scripture talks about: “A more sure word of prophecy...” (2 Peter 1:19)
Read the following and you can determine for yourself how “sure” these following words are. “Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
· The Montanist movement predicted the judgment of the world would occur in their lifetime: the Second Century.
· The world was predicted to end in 1033.
· Joachim of Fiore predicted the Millennium would begin in 1205.
· Subsequent predictions pinpointed the years 1260 & 1533.
· Some Christian believers in
· Pastor William Miller believed Christ’s Second Coming would take place October 22, 1844.
· John Cummings of the
· Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormons, predicted the world’s end in the 19th Century. (Probably got that little bit of information from the angel Macaroni.)
· Charles Russell (1852-1916) predicted that all governments would be dissolved and the
· Jehovah’s Witnesses, not learning from past mistakes, said the end of the world would come in 1914, 1925 and 1975.
· Joseph Rutherford (1869 - 1942) predicted “the end” would be 1925.
· Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel in
· Hal Lindsey, author of The Late Great Planet Earth, supposedly predicted the “Rapture” would occur in 1988.
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· Korean, Ha Bang-Ik, prophesied in first person, “I (Jesus) will be there in October 1992. Prepare!”
· Benny Hinn allegedly predicted the “Rapture” would occur in 1993.
· Dr. Harold Camping, president of Family Radio, expected the end of the world in 1994.
· Hon-Ming Chen predicted Christ’s return on March 31, 1998.
· Edgar Cayce predicted Christ’s Second Coming in 1998.
· Psychic, The Amazing Criswell: “The world as we know it will cease to exist on August 18, 1999.”
· Dr. Jack van Impe has speculated that the end would come between September 1999 and 2000.
· Philip B. Brown has stated that the millennial reign of Christ was to begin April 6, 2008.
Thomas Cahill, American scholar and writer states, “True prophets are few and far between and, in any case, notoriously unreliable when it comes to actual dates.”( Desire of the Everlasting Hills, pg.47. Doubleday 2000)
However, in spite of all the false predictions it was the Lord Jesus Himself, who said:
"No one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself. Only the Father knows." Matthew 24. 36 (Living Translation)
And while we are waiting remember, we are to maintain a right posture and attitude toward the eventuality of His actual literal return. Which I personally believe will happen.
This admonition from Scripture itself.
“Don’t let people waste time in endless speculation over myths and spiritual pedigrees. For these things only cause arguments; they don’t help people live a life of faith in God. The purpose of my instruction is that all Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and sincere faith. But some teachers have missed the whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time arguing and talking foolishness. They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they seem so confident.” 1 Timothy 1.4-7 (Living Translation)
“Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of the Lord Jesus.” 1 Corinthians 1.7 (Living Translation)
“We look forward to that wonderful event when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.” Titus 2.13 (Living Translation)
“I want to remind you that in the last days there will be scoffers who will laugh at the truth and do every evil thing they desire. This will be their argument: ‘Jesus promised to come back, did He? Then where is He?’…. However, “the Lord isn’t really slow about His promise to return, as some people think…. He is giving more time to people to repent.”
1 Peter 3 (Selected verses Living Translation)
“Endure until the end.” Matt.24.13-14 – (The Message)
“He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, ‘Yes I am coming soon!’
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” Revelation 22.20 (Living Translation)
There are many more Scriptures pertaining to false prophets and prophecy, look them up for yourself and be one “who correctly handles the word of truth.”
If I am wrong about this predicted May 21,2011 judgment day, this will be my last communication to you folks, and I won’t be talking to you next week; at least not on this planet.
Thanks,
Scott Ross