Why do Christians who predict the end of the world often mention Matthew 24:36?

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   AM Hansonposted 12 years ago

   Why do Christians who predict the end of the world often mention Matthew 24:36?
   
   Matthew 24:36 reads "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."  However, many Christians who make predictions of the end of the world/the apocalypse mention this verse in their prediction and follow it with, "BUT, if we look closely at the Bible...."
   This just seems to weaken their arguement when they say that you can ignore one part of the Bible and just focus on another...

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   searchinsanyposted 12 years ago

   This is a very good question and I am glad you asked it, I agree with the point you make.
   
   It may come as a surprise to many, but the Bible never mentions the ‘end of the world’.
   
   In Matthew 24:34 Jesus told His disciples that all His prophesies would be fulfilled during the lifetime of their generation.
   
   Mat 24:34 KJV Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

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      cam8510posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I just want to point out that you have stated your answer as an established fact.But,the meaning of "This generation" could refer to the one to whom Jesus was speaking,or a future one he was anticipating.You are right if he meant his generation.

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      Abrushing1968posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Actually the bible gives us glimpses of the end of the world. The book of revelations is very clear that there will be new heaven and a new earth. Consider Rev 20 and great white throne judgment.

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I think you have made a very valid point, Searchinsany!
      
      Perhaps Christians should just read what is said in the Bible...instead of reading into it. :0)

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   cam8510posted 12 years ago

   If I understand what you are saying, your observation is that those who want to precisely predict the date of the return of Jesus Christ deal with this verse by mentioning it, giving it a nod, and then violating it.  If this is what you are saying, then you are correct.  Because they feel they have special revelation from God, these people believe they are exempt from the teaching of this verse.
   
   What should we do when we encounter such people?  Well, notice that the verse does not say "Don't predict the day or hour...."   It says "No one knows....."  So, when someone claims to know what you feel is way too much about the time of Jesus' return, then they are fakes.  They are not from God.  They will claim to be an exception to this verse's teaching, but don't buy it.

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      Abrushing1968posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Diddo

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      Ms Deeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Note also that Jesus taught we are to be alert and ready for that hour--the parable of the 10 virgins. We are not to be taken by surprise but be ready to meet him when he come. It is more about readiness than knowing what exact day he will return.

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   Mitch Alanposted 12 years ago

   Anyone making a specific prediction about the endtimes and the return of Christ is doing so out of Biblical ignorance.  That verse is very specific that we will not know the day or hour...That being said, we can know the "times" as we see the "signs".  But, if someone sets a specific date then you can know they are wrong.

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      oceansiderposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Mitch, I agree with you, because in Matthew 24:36, Jesus says: "But of that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (New King James)

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   girlgonestrongposted 12 years ago

   Just like any other verse, that verse needs to be interpreted properly.  Certain verses apply to certain people at certain times.  There is a command in Genesis to build an ark of gopher wood, but we don't see too many people today doing this because that applied to a certain person (Noah) at a certain time (before the flood) and is not an applicable command to us today.
   
   The fact of the matter is that no mat ATHE TIME JESUS WAS SPEAKING knew the day nor the hour.  The fact of the matter is that Luke 20 and 21 give us very clear signs so that we can discern the SEASON of his coming.
   
   Furthermore, it is very clear (from both Daniel and Revelation) that Christ comes exactly 3 & 1/2 years after the Antichrist commits the "Abomination of Desolation".  So....if you're alive to see that then you're most likely going to be able to know the day he returns because you just count out 1260 days (I think) from that day according to the scriptures.

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      THWLEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The prophecy in Daniel is all about the messiah. It comes from Gabriel who only delivers messianic prophecies, yet the gap theory you refer to by implication, leaves the very event that makes Jesus the messiah in the gap.

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      Mitch Alanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Girl, exactly...
      THWLE, there are prophecies that have contemporary (to the giving of the prophecy) fulfillment and a future fulfillment. This, I believe is what girlgonestrong, is alluding to.

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      THWLEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The cross and resurrection are left in the "gap" according to this CAM theory. I believe that the last week of Christ's life on earth was this final week. Those days were shortened, half way through He took away the sacrifice and offering... etc.

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   THWLEposted 12 years ago

   Jesus was saying that the Hour that this all goes down, the end of the world, Jesus' ultimate triumph, the day of judgment, etc,  would be when mankind least expected it. All of these events tie together and are supposed to happen at a time when the world least expects it.
   
   The first thing I see, now, is that if this is an unexpected event, hen we will not know that it has happened until after it has happened. We can only recognize this unexpected hour with hindsight.
   
   The Hour We Least Expected is the hour in which it would seem most unlikely that Jesus achieved His greatest victory. When He was hanging on the cross He looked defeated, though this was that moment... this was the hour He was referring to.
   
   This was the day of judgment... the day when those with sin were to be punished and those without would receive eternal life. Who had sin on this day? Jesus carried the sins of the world. Who did not have sin this day? Every man and woman that has ever or will ever exist.
   
   This was the end of the world, or the end of the old order of things. The law was fulfilled by Christ... He was the Law or the written word... and He died. What made Him better is that He rose again into a new world without the Law... a world of everlasting grace and love.
   
   They refer to Matthew 24 because it is the same account as we find in the book of Revelation. Read the beginning of Revelation again. The Revelation, or full disclosure, is OF Jesus, and was given to Him (Jesus) by God to tell His servants (the disciples) what was to shortly take place (2,000 years ago). He tells them what was revealed to Him here in Matthew 24. Regardless of when Revelation was written, it is only the full disclosure that was given to Christ sometime before He spoke those words in Matthew 24.
   
   Long story short... The world has already ended. It was all symbolic of the law, or the old order of things, passing away. We ALL live under grace now. Everything is over. Everything is complete. All prophecy has been fulfilled.
   
   Everyone Goes to Heaven because of what happened in The Hour We Least Expected.
   
   For my complete and full thoughts on this very question go to www.thehourweleastexpected.com

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      Mitch Alanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The book of the Revelation was given to John on the Island of Patmos well after the ressuraection AND assention of Christ. And not EVERYONE goes to heaven according to the Bible, but only those who accept Christ as their personal Savior.

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      THWLEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It doesn't matter when John got the revelation, or full disclosure because it was the Revelation of Jesus give to Jesus by God to show his servants (the disciples) what was about to happen. Revelation is over. Matthew 24 is over. Jesus redeemed ALL.

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      Mitch Alanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      He redeemed all, but not all are saved...The gift was paid in full at Calvary,  but it is not accepted by all...that was the point I was making. sorry for the confusion.

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      THWLEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      No problem at all. If the gift is a noun then I would agree, but I believe the gift was an action, a decision by God to redeem all of mankind through Christ. An action cannot be nullified, not even through disbelief. Start with all of Romans 5...

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      Dubuquedogtrainerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent point, Mitch Allen - I hope all read what you wrote - "all are redeemed, but not all saved."

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      THWLEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Take Romans 10 for example, and read it again from the beginning, you will see that Paul is wanting them to be saved from the LAW, not from "hell". We have all been trained to see "hell" where it does not exists.

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      Judah's Daughterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      THWLE, Rev 1:1 states, "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him [JOHN] to show His servants [believers] what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant JOHN."  So you're a Universalist and Preterist, I see.

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      THWLEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Not sure what a Universalist or a Preterist is. I came to my own conclusions from my own study that I started 5 years ago with just myself, my many bibles, a Greek and Hebrew dictionary, hard work, and a willingness to ask the tough questions

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      Judah's Daughterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      While this is off-topic to the question, a Universalist believes all will be saved (including Satan and his angels), and hell is not eternal condemnation, but temporary 'purification', and a Preterist believes "The world has already ended."

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       THWLEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks JD. Well, I am not a Universalist then. I guess I fit more w the Preterists, but I am sure there is more to their story that may not fit me. I am an Aaronist & I mean no harm w my comments. I simply love debating. It forces us all to th

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   Dubuquedogtrainerposted 12 years ago

   It is correct that we do not know the hour or the day, but we can know the seasons. Jesus gave us signs to watch for to know the time of His return would be near. Read the rest of Matthew 24. The most prophetic sign is perhaps what Jesus said about the fig tree: http://www.nowtheendbegins.com/pages/th … phecy.htm.

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      Ms Deeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree. 1Th 5:4 says we believers are not to be "in the dark" about when the Day of the Lord will be, nor be overtaken by it like a thief in the night. It is the unbelieving world who will be taken by surprise.

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      cam8510posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Ms Dee, I agree that "It is the unbelieving world who will be taken by surprise." Imagine the looks on the faces of those who never heard of Jesus? Wow, talk about a surprise. And their shock at seeing the Lake of Fire which they also never heard of.

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   Jeramiposted 12 years ago

   People assume too many things! Scripture does seem to state that the Rapture happens at the same time as the second coming of Christ. But, here is no reason to assume that the second coming happens at the same time as the first resurrection as... read more

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   Judah's Daughterposted 12 years ago

   Non-Jews would take Mat 24:36 at face value without understanding what that 'idiom' stands for.  The disciples understood, for they were Jews.  Considering Jesus was born at the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah - or some say the Feast of Tabernacles), died on Passover, rose on the Feast of First Fruits, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost...His return will be, as He said, on "the day and hour no man knows", which is another name for the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah).  "The trump of God" at His return is a 'clue', also (1 Thes 4:16).  What year?  God knows, but we will keep watch, noting the signs.  As shared in other comments here, 1 Th 5:4 states, "But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief."

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      cam8510posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Judah's Daughter.  If that is true, then we can be watchful every autumn and either sleep or live like the devil the rest of the year.  I think maybe he didn't tip us off quite that specifically.  But you might be right.

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      Judah's Daughterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You think God is only going to judge on whether or not we are behaving at His return? ~ you know better...

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      cam8510posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      But you made it so tempting.  If He is coming in the Fall, why not relax a little.  Let our hair down.  Skip that prayer meeting.  After all, its the middle of May.  We've got three whole months to live it up. *just kidding*

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      THWLEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Sounds like a fair and just God,to keep us on eggshells, waiting over 2,000 years. Not the case though. The end of the world was at the cross and resurrection when the old order passed away and all things became new. I don't buy the CAM's God anymore

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      Judah's Daughterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      THWLE 2 Tim 2:18 (post-resurrection of Christ) "men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some."  Well, you aren't upsetting my faith and those who yet live by it.

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      THWLEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      He says in 2Corinthians 5 that it was a simultaneous event with the resurrection of Christ. So which do we believe? We must examine the whole and compare it to Jesus' words, and when we do, we can easily see which one fits. Not trying to upset you

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      Ms Deeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      THWLE, 2Corinthians 5 is explaining what happens when the body of a believer dies, verse 1 referring to if our 'tent is destroyed'. It is not saying it has happened already to all believers still living.

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      THWLEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      To humans, not just believers, and he is explaining that since death has been defeated that we are immediately with Christ upon physical death (the tent). This could not be the case if death was not defeated, and since it is no one remains in death

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      ElderYoungManposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      @cam-That's the spirit I mean.  If it is in you to do something like that, then you need to repent.  If you knew the day, you wouldn't repent until that day.  Yah is not going to play the fool, but He knows he'll lose many if they know the date.

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       Sterling Mathisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       The bible  states  a fact that is obvious. It speaks of the generation that sees isreal become a nation again will be the generation to see the second comming. In the bible a generation is anywhere from 60 to 75 years. Isreal became a nation in 1948.

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    ElderYoungManposted 12 years ago

    As soon as you see the "But" it's time to flip the channel.  Yahoshua was very clear that all things in scripture must be complete and the Gospel must be preached by his preachers, throughout the ends of the earth.  Then the end will come.  That's about as specific as it gets in the scriptures.  All that can be said for sure is that it will happen "After" all of those thing.
    
    That could be the second after or 2000 year after.  It's in the Father's hands.  The main thrust is to make sure that we are all about His business at all times.  We can't keep corrupt hearts and expect to just guess the day and the hour.  This gives us time to correct ourselves, to see if we have hatred and murder in our hearts, to repent and ask the Father to fill us with "His" spirit, not one that hates and murders.
    
    Bottom line is he's looking out for us children by being vague!
    
    Elder.

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