On June 30, 1993 Werner and Lee Goers took out a rather large advertisement in USA TODAY, a national newspaper. In this article, they express their strong conviction that Christ's return is near. There has been a lot of activity in recent years about the return of the Messiah. In 1988, Colin Hoyle Deal wrote a book that got a lot of attention. It was entitled Will Christ Return by 1988? - 101 Reasons Why. Well, Christ did not return in 1988. Then in 1992, a church in Korea got world-wide attention when they predicted Christ's return on September 28, 1992; however, they added that October 28, 1992 might also be the right date.
Attempts at date setting are not new. In the 1840's, William Miller predicted Christ's return between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844. These people are in good company. Over the past 20 centuries, many have tried to set a date for Christ's return. Saint Jerome, in the fourth century, predicted Christ's return in 450 A.D. Nostradamus, the French physician and ``prophet'', known to many because of the public television documentary on ``The Man Who Saw the Future'' also predicted a date for Christ's return. It is said that he successfully predicted WW1, WW2 and the rise of Hitler. His date for the return of Christ - 1999.(1)
In the recent USA TODAY article, the Goers infer that Christ will return in the year 2000 A.D. They base this on the biblical argument that there are 7000 years of time; 6000 years of man's rule followed by 1000 years of Christ's rule on earth. Let's explore their hypothesis.
The Genesis account says creation took six days and on the seventh day God rested. This seventh day of rest was often equated to the ``Day of the Lord'' by the ancient Jewish prophets and scholars. It was believed that the ``Day of the Lord'', as well as the previous six days, would each last for one thousand years. They based this teaching on Psalm 90:4 which says: ''For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.'' This seventh day is commonly referred to as the ``Millennium'' or ``Messianic Kingdom''.
Genesis 1:1 says: ``In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.'' Genesis 1:2-2:1 describes the seven days of creation from the earth's perspective. Some scholars say Genesis 1:1 took place in the dateless past and then, at some future point in time God completed creation over six days, with the seventh day being a day of rest. Irrespective of this view, it is important to realize that the seven days of creation were seven literal 24-hour days. However, it appears that the seven days of creation could also be prophetic, with each day (based on Psalm 90:4) representing a thousand years of human history.
In order to evaluate the Goers' belief that Jesus will return by the year 2000, we need to determine how many years of human history have passed. We need to know Adam's birth date. This can be done by carefully following the genealogy of Adam and by considering the time the Jews spent in Egypt, the reigns of the kings of Judah, the Babylonian captivity, etc. Many scholars have done these calculations. Archbishop Ussher in 1650 A.D. calculated back from the birth of Christ, based on the dates and chronological data given in the scriptures, and arrived at the date 4004 B.C for Adam's creation. Thus Christ was born approximately 4000 years after the birth of Adam (which would be the end of the fourth day). If we know Jesus' exact birth date, then going forward 2000 years will tell us when the 6000 years have passed and the ``Day of the Lord'' begins. Jesus should come again to redeem the earth, according to the law of redemption, after six days or 6000 years.
Recent data from the field of astronomy gives us September 29, 2 B.C. as the birth date of Jesus(3). It is 2 B.C. based on today's calendars, because of the Gregorian Calendar reform. Also, note that there is only one year between 1 B.C. and 1 A.D. Therefore, if this is correct, as early as the Fall of 1999 we will complete 2000 years since Christ's birth and 6000 years since Adam's birth (it could be later due to calandar differences and calander modifications that have taken place over the centuries). We know from the book of Daniel that Christ's return is preceded by a seven-year period commonly known as the Tribulation period. The Tribulation is broken into two parts, the first half of relative peace, followed by the worst three and one-half years in the history of mankind. Therefore, if Christ is returning to redeem the world by the year 2000, we are on the verge of entering the Tribulation and our countdown to eternity is about to begin. To better understand the requirements of redemption, we need to understand Jewish law. Under Jewish law, if you lost your property by forfeit, it remained with the new owner for a period of six years. In the seventh year, you had the right to purchase your property back as long as you could fulfill the requirements that were written down on a scroll and then sealed. If you couldn't redeem your own property, then a relative or near-of-kin (called a ``Kinsman Redeemer'' or in Hebrew a ``Goel'') could step in and redeem it. In the seventh year, if no one was able to redeem the property, then it would remain with the new owner permanently.
If you could redeem it, you would call for the elders of the city to meet with you before the city gates. You would bring out the scroll that had the requirements on it. You would break the first seal and show your ability to meet the requirements or pay the price recorded therein. You could purchase the property back for yourself in the seventh year, the year of redemption. Similarly, if you were sold into slavery, you would remain a slave for six years, but in the seventh year you would be set free. This was the Jewish law of redemption; being set free.(2)
Jesus came to redeem mankind and the world back to God after 4000 years. He paid the price of redemption on the cross; ``We are redeemed not with corruptible things such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ''. Through His sacrifice Jesus bought the world, but He has yet to take possession of it. As we approach the end of the sixth millennium, the time of redemption is almost over. ``God has placed all things in subjection under Him, but we do not yet see all things in subjection to Him.''
Soon that will change, as that familiar scene in the fifth chapter of the Book of the Revelation takes place. Jesus was found worthy to take the scroll from the Father and open its seals, allowing the four horsemen of the Apocalypse to gallop forth bringing judgment upon the earth. As the seals are loosed, judgment begins, and we will have either been redeemed or will then face judgment based upon the choices we have made. Shall we receive from God the free gift of salvation available through Jesus Christ, or shall we choose to have nothing to do with spiritual things? Once we die, our eternal destiny is fixed. Jesus says ``I put before you life or death; choose life.''
Jesus wants to be our ``Kinsman Redeemer''. But this is only possible if we make Him our ``near-of-kin'' by being adopted into the family of God. God is spirit; therefore, to be adopted requires a spiritual rebirth. This is what Jesus was talking about when he told Nicodemus that he must be born again (born from above [John 3:3]). If we're not born into the family of God, Jesus can't redeem us. But if we'll just ask God to forgive our sins and ask Jesus to become Lord of our lives, then He will also become our Kinsman Redeemer. We will be spiritually regenerated (reborn) into God's family. God will seal us with the Holy Spirit, the guarantee of our redemption when Jesus comes again. (Eph 4:30).
So if you now recognize that man was sold into slavery through Adam's sin 6000 years ago, you must also recognize that the period of the right to redemption is almost up.
SCIENCE CONFIRMS 6 DAYS OF CREATION
Many people have difficulty trying to reconcile the six days of creation with Science's calculation that the universe is 16 billion years old.
Jeffrey Schroeder, a world-class Jewish physicist has recently written a book, called Genesis and the Big Bang, that helps reconcile these two views. In this book he documents, through application of Einstein's general theory of relativity, an incredible discovery. Einstein's theory tells us that time is not a constant, but varies with speed and mass. NASA has proven Einstein's work to be true; the faster we travel, the slower time goes. Through the use of two atomic clocks, one on the earth and one on a satellite, they demonstrated that the clock on the satellite went slower. This is the theme we've seen dealt with on science fiction programs where a space traveler travels to a distant world at a significant fraction of the speed of light. When he returns, his brother is an old man, but the traveler has hardly aged at all.
Physicists have recently determined the mass of the universe and the speed at which it is expanding. Therefore it is now possible to apply Einstein's theory and determine how much time has passed from the perspective of the space traveler 16 billion light years away from earth.
Well, Schroeder did the calculations and, as incredible as it might sound, from the perspective of an imaginary space traveler, only six DAYS had past. An incredible coincidence. The Jewish Rabbis have a quaint saying: "Coincidence is not a kosher word". In other words, everything is by supernatural design. There were six days of creation and yet, based on Psalm 90:4, the six days also seem to represent 6000 years of human history. Creation took six days, but God, according to Isaiah 57:15, inhabits eternity and is therefore outside of our time domain. God is outside of time; thus He could have completed creation in zero days. This is documented in Psalm 33, which tells us that ``By the word of the Lord, the heavens were made........For He spoke and it was done''.
He spoke and it was done; no time was required. Yet the Bible records that God did, in fact, create the universe and everything that dwells in it in six 24-hour days. From Schroeder's work, it appears that this is literally true.
The Genesis account also records that on the seventh day God rested and instituted the Sabbath (meaning rest). Without a doubt, God was not tired. So why the chronology of the seven days of creation when God could have done it in a moment of time? Perhaps He was revealing to us His plan of redemption which was to be carried out over 7000 years. ``I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure,.." (Isaiah 46:9b-10).
The Goers might be correct in expecting the Messiah's return by the year 2000. We'll soon find out. It's just a matter of time.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR CHRIST'S RETURN
The Bible indicates that there will be two groups of people on the earth when Jesus suddenly returns. The first group consists of those individuals that have received Jesus Christ's free gift of Salvation. These are the Children of Light. They know the signs of His return and are anxiously awaiting Him (1 Thes 5:1-4). The other group will consist of those whose love for the Lord has grown cold and the Unbelievers who want nothing to do with Jesus' free gift of salvation.
This latter group is like the people who lived in Noah's time. In that day, the people were completely caught up with the affairs of everyday living and wanted nothing to do with spiritual things until the flood came. By then, it was too late. For this group, it will be ``as in the days of Noah"; judgement will suddenly come, and they will be totally surprised and unprepared (Matt 24:37-39).
We are living in the period of history that the Jewish rabbis call the ``Footsteps of the Messiah''. We can hear His approaching footsteps as the time of Jesus' return draws near. Soon we will rise to meet Jesus in the air or be left behind to face judgment, having hardened our hearts to the call of God.
Is Christ's return really close? People, in their zeal and love for the Lord, often jump the gun when they see a specific prophesy fulfilled by trying to set dates for His return. However, there is something different going on at this time in history that has not occurred since the Messiah came 2000 years ago. Every major theme of biblical prophesy is coming together at the same time.
Jesus is coming soon. Those individuals who have not received Jesus into their life as Lord and Saviour and those whose love for Him has grown cold (Rev 3:16) will face God's judgement.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
In future issues, we will deal with specific current events that herald the return of Jesus Christ to this earth. It is right and proper that we do this. In fact, in 1st Peter 1:10-12, we find the following:
``Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.''
It is in the same spirit that this publication will go forth to inform you of how current events fit into God's plan of redemption for mankind. Together, we will ``search intently and with the greatest care'', trying to find the season and circumstances of Christ's return. The exact day of the Lord's return is not known, but it is equally true that we are not to be caught unaware and unprepared.
We need to be watching for the signs of His return. Informed believers will not be taken by surprise (1 Thes 5:1-4), as will the unbelievers (Matt 24:37-39). Although we can't know the exact day, we are accountable to know the season and to recognize the signs of the times. Yes, Jesus is coming quickly, and none shall stand save those who have built their house upon the rock of His salvation.
``And the Spirit and the bride say, `Come' and let him who hears say, `Come' And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. He who testifies to these things says, `Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.''
Maranatha!
References:
(1)Armageddon, Appointment with Destiny, Grant R. Jeffrey, Bantam Books, July, 1990.
(2)What the World is Coming To, Chuck Smith, The Word for Today, 1980.
(3)Prophecy in the News, J. R. Church, Volume 12, number 12.
``Watch and pray, therefore, that you would be counted worthy to escape the judgment that is coming upon the earth and be able to stand before the Son of Man'' (Luke 21:36).
``Prophecy and Current Events" is published bimonthly by: ``To His Glory
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