In a posting, I recently asked opinions on what calendar year people thought Christ was crucified. The answers varied slightly, but the general consensus was between 25 and 35 AD. For the purposes of this post then, let's say it was 30 AD. If so, should that mean anything for us today? Is there a Biblical connection, some Scripture we could look to which might explain when, at the time appointed, He would return to earth, when His second Advent might be?
Scripture quotes Him saying, Behold, I have foretold you all things. Mark 13:23. An all encompassing statement like that could surely include when He would return, right? Yes, but my belief is we are tasked with finding where or how, in the Holy Bible, that ultimate mystery might be revealed; for it is also written we are not to know the time or the season of His return. Then again, we are expected to search the Scriptures, to study to show ourselves approved. Is this simply a test for us?
Let me put it this way; Our Father, our Lord and the Holy Spirit may want to see, by our actions, how much interest we really have in His Word, in every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. That said, let's get back on topic; does the Bible tell us when we should expect to see our Lord? Try this, for I wouldn't want anyone to be ignorant of where to look. Did the Apostle Peter gave us our Heavenly Father's timetable for mankind?
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the LORD as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 11 Peter 3:8. This could be the Holy Spirit's way of saying, "Sharpen up kids, this is important!" And that is why I asked for opinions on when Christ was crucified. Two days ago, 2,000 years ago, the date was 20 AD. Today, we are now finishing 2020 AD. Humm.
Is it remotely possible, using the Holy Bible as the ultimate Reference Book, that Christ would be returning in 10 years, in 2030 AD? The atheists, even weak Christians, would say, "The man is mad! Don't listen to him, no one knows the exact date." That's true, but these are Scriptures we should consider; our Lord Jesus certainly would not want us to be ignorant of something He considered important, would He? Let's go deeper.
If our Beloved was crucified and resurrected in 30 AD then He would be gone from us for precisely 2 days in 2030 AD. Then what, what happens as we begin the 3rd day? The third day I shall be perfected the Lord told us in Luke 13:32. In Mark He said, After that He is killed, He shall rise the third day, and again in Mark, And the third day He shall rise again. Matthew tells us, The third day He shall be raised again, and also, And be raised again the third day.
It is commonly thought, and taught, and preached, the Scriptures were talking about 24 hour days here, and of course, they were. But what if the Holy Spirit wanted to teach us on several levels of understanding? Well, surely we would have known, something this profound could not be hidden for 2,000 years, could it?
And they shall scourge Him, and put Him to death: and the third day He shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. Luke 18:32
Am I safe in saying that all wisdom comes from God? Consider this: if the LORD doesn't want us to know something we won't know, until He deems it the appointed time to tell us. Actually, it may surprise many to know the LORD did tell us when to expect the return of His Son in the OLD Testament.
Come, and let us return onto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up. After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight. Hosea 6:1
How about that, we are going to get raised up when the third day begins! Now the scoffers and mockers will have a field day with this, so I'm not proclaiming the Lord's return on 2030. The two days might be finished on 2025 which would only leave us 5 years to end this flesh age. It might be 2035, which means we still have 15 years to get right with the LORD. Get right with the LORD, what does that mean?
Well, let's say we consider ourselves to be a righteous person, a person who always tries to do the right thing before the LORD, and before our fellow human beings. We need to make sure we stay that way, to be steadfast in our righteousness until this earth age is over. Put another way, let's keep the LORD happy with us.
If we are a wicked person, we need to repent, change our ways, and ask the LORD for His forgiveness; to wash away our sins with the blood of Jesus Christ. See, simple, we have a very loving Father Who is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 11Peter 3:9
That's it. Like king Jehoahaz, I hope we get the 15 years, I think our generation is going to need it!