It's About Time

First of all, let me point out that while it is generally believed that "Date-Setting" is categorically wrong, we are going to discover in our search of Scripture that such an extreme view is actually in error. If we wish to be technical, only Yahweh can set dates--all we can do, as fallible human beings, is to search out the Scriptures in hopes of solving the various riddles He places in His Word -- riddles intended to reveal to the observant the actual date for certain events to occur. "It is the glory of the Almighty to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter." (Proverbs 25:2) While it is true, for example, that "no one knows the day or the hour" of Messiah's return, that does not mean we should not, or cannot, know the general "season" of his coming. And in regard to the general concept of Date-Setting itself, there are many examples from the Bible where "Date-Setting" is not only permitted, but is clearly being both taught and used by several exemplary prophets, kings, and the people of Israel themselves.

Second of all, the other key problem with some more modern examples of "Date-Setting" is that they generally are based upon a faulty understanding of Scripture. If one were to establish a precise date for certain end-time events to take place, one would be expected to at least "do their homework." Sadly, all of them (it seems) have failed to do this--a select few earning "B's", others earning "C's", and most scoring "F's"--all because they did not make a thorough study of Yahweh's Word before sharing with others the result of their studies. If someone is so sure of their research that they can predict exactly when certain end-time events are going to take place, they need to score "100%," since anything less will result in dismal failure.

Thirdly, when people begin setting dates for certain end-time events to take place (and the time passes with no results), this tends to discourage the people who followed that persons teachings. The result of this can be very ugly, as many of these either become discouraged with faith in Yahweh or else are led into even more extreme forms of cultic beliefs and practices. Suicide, depression, and other forms of psychotic behavior are commonly associated with such "disappointments."

What is the bottom line? The bottom line is this: Yahweh has (on the one hand) warned us that we are not going to know the exact day or hour of Messiah's return. However, on the other hand there is sufficient evidence in Scripture that from time to time He has placed in his Word specific clues by which it is possible that some might be privileged (or cursed, depending upon your perspective) with an understanding of the general timeframe of when certain end-time events should take place, or possibly even exact dates. At or just before the appointed time, Yahweh often enlists men and women, filling them with his spirit, and encouraging them to seek out these mysteries hidden from general view for several thousands of years.

We should be careful in regards to the issue of date-setting. However, we should also leave a small crack in the door to allow for the remote possibility that someone might indeed discover the timing of certain Scriptural predictions. We should be aware that in many places of Scripture date-setting is not only allowed, but it is exalted as a natural by-product of Bible study, especially prophecies in Scripture involving time (provided that it is based upon sound Biblical exegesis).

What I am doing here on this website is calendar research. I give what I believe to be the most likely year in which the new Millennium will start -- which is really not date setting. In regard to the issue of date setting in general, in both Daniel and Revelation there are numerous time prophecies which, if the correct starting dates were known, it is possible that someone could correctly determine the approximate ending dates--at least, theoretically. For instance, in Daniel 9:24 a prediction is given of when the Messiah would come, and that prophecy involved 70 weeks of years and was fulfilled exactly as given -- such that it is possible someone could have figured it all out and would have been ready for the Messiah's first coming. If it were not true, then why would there be so many Bible prophecies connected with time? So, while I also urge caution regarding anyone who sets dates for certain Biblical events to occur--we have to at least leave some latitude since it is entirely possible that they could be correct. Remember, while it is not easy to solve the riddles of the timeline of man, Yahweh promises us that if we seek diligently we will find the answers we are searching for:

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

The Messianic Writings (i.e., New Testament) seem to reveal that the righteous will not be in ignorance in the day of Messiah's coming, but instead they will know -- it is the wicked that will be in darkness. Please notice how this text, commonly used to condemn date setting, actually leaves the door wide open for that very thing:

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24:36)

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (Matthew 24:42)

Please notice that in verse 36 we are told that men (in general) cannot know the day and the hour of the Messiah's coming. However, when he speaks more directly to his disciples he tells them to watch, because they do not know the hour of his coming. Why did he leave out the word "day" in this last text? Is he suggesting that the righteous might be able to know more concerning the timing of his return than the wicked? Well, in the next verse he plainly says that very thing:

But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. (Matthew 24:43)

These texts very plainly suggest that the righteous can know the general timeframe of his coming. It starts by saying that men in general cannot know the day or the hour, but then reveals that it is the wicked that really did not know (in contrast to the righteous -- for example, Noah and his family). Look at it more closely:

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:36-39)

Yes, we do not know the day or the hour--but before the time arrived, Noah and his family knew when it was time to enter the ark. And while it may be argued that someone like myself is not a true "scholar," nor considered a Bible "expert," and that this somehow disqualifies me from being able to learn and ultimately teach these secrets of the calendar, we must consider that the disciples were simple fishermen, and likewise Noah also was not a great man of the earth either. When he was building his boat, he was probably scoffed at and derided by the people who knew something regarding what he was doing, including his belief that the world would soon be destroyed by a flood and even a specific time for that event when Yahweh tells him "yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years." (Genesis 6:3)

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:42-44)

Please notice that it is the "goodman of the house" that knows the approximate time ("what watch") in which the thief would come, just as Noah and his family knew at what time to enter the ark of safety. I submit to you that it is the wicked that do not know the times and the seasons, as opposed to the righteous. So, just because we cannot know the exact day or hour of the Messiah's return, it does not mean Yahweh wants us to be ignorant of the "season" in which that event (and others) will take place. Please take note of what it says of the "times and the seasons" in 1 Thessalonians:

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-7)

Yes, the Messiah will come "as a thief in the night"--but only for the wicked! It is the wicked that will be surprised by the events taking place, not the righteous. Since the righteous are "not in darkness," does that mean we are to remain in ignorance regarding the "times and the seasons?" No, the righteous will not be ignorant of the times and the seasons--for unlike the wicked, we are not living in darkness. The righteous, therefore, can be expected to know (at the very least) the season in which these events will take place.

Look closely at the evidence uncovered in this website, compare it with the Scriptures, compare it with all the available historical accounts. Just Do the Math!, and you will find as many others have that the time is at hand!