“but of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only” Matthew 24:36Many persons are very familiar with this scripture using it to say that no one can know when God is coming. This implies why look. We will just go about our business until God comes. How many sermons do you know about end times or prophecy? How many sermons have you heard on Revelation? How much studying and reading do you do? For most people, not much. Too stressful and confusing. Plus I have a handy scripture I can quote which is my escape hatch. I will simply concentrate on what I can know – not what I can’t know.
It is so important to read scriptures in context. Doesn’t the world justify what it does and tell Christians “Do not judge or you will be judged” or “turn the other cheek”. How many verses are quoted out of context. We recognize all of these, but it is very convenient to do the same with end time prophecy. I am not here to say anything, but let’s take a closer look together.
I want to just bring out a couple of things for consideration since we are likely in the very last days. Here are some scriptures and thoughts:
Matthew 24 is full of all the signs Jesus gives us for end times. Wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, etc. Why all these signs if we are to simply chalk up end times to “whenever it happens it happens”: Jesus also says it will be as in the days of Noah when people were eating, drinking and marrying. Hmmm…carrying out “normal” life without care as to the time. A few verses later Jesus says this:
Matthew 24:42-44 “Watch therefore, for you do no know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what in what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you be also ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect him.
Jesus tells us we don’t know the hour, but he is specific to tell us to WATCH. This is right after he gave us a multitude of signs which we can clearly see. Wars (WW I, WWII and soon to come WW III?) Rumors of wars (cold war, terrorists). Israel becoming a nation (1948) and the capture of Jerusalem (1967). Earthquakes, etc. He said it would be like birth pangs.
Even if we don’t know the day or hour – it is very clear that we are to be watching. He says be ready. What of the parable of the 10 Virgins? 5 were ready and taken. 5 were left and told to buy the oil. Oil is the Holy Spirit.
Here is what Jesus says in Luke 12:37
“ Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.”
Sound familiar? Jesus girded himself and washed the Apostles feet at the Passover meal before his death. When is the next meal? For the Bride of Christ at the Rapture. What does Jesus clearly say again? WATCH. Now how doe you watch? Jesus gave us signs and even though we may not know the day or hour we should clearly know the season.
Jesus says this later in Luke 21:29-36 “29He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32"I tell you the truth, this generation[b] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
Maybe you are not a drunk, but what about the “anxieties of life” and dissipation means letting time get away or “procrastination”. Do you think if a remnant of Christians were Raptured it may suddenly build some urgency to study “End Times” and begin to watch? This is so similar to the 10 Virgins parable.
Matthew 25
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'
9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'
12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'
13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Here is Paul’s thoughts:
1 Thessalonians 5
1Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.4But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.
Paul says “But you brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.” Maybe you can say you don’t know the day or hour, but are you sure that Jesus is not asking you to diligently watch and study the signs of the times?
The Rapture is about Marriage to Christ. In Jewish custom as the Bride was waiting for the Groom he came at midnight. She was to be on watch for him. Yes, she did not know exactly when, but she was ready when he came. When I was in the Navy and you stood watch it was an offense worthy of “jail” (tribulation) to be caught asleep. Paul says, “do not be like the others who are asleep.” If you love someone that you are separated from are you not waiting and watching?
Revelation (of Jesus Christ) 3:3 says this:
“Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.”
Suddenly here in Revelation (of Jesus Christ) it says again WATCH, but also if you don’t you will not know what hour. Now wait a minute – Jesus says earlier that we cannot know. Maybe God reveals at some point in the last days when he will come. In any event – surely we are to WATCH.
Hebrews 10:36-38 (New International Version)
36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37For in just a very little while,
"He who is coming will come and will not delay.
38But my righteous one[a] will live by faith.
And if he shrinks back,
I will not be pleased with him."[2 Peter 3:3-5 (New International Version)
3First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water
Blessings,
Tony Ellsworth
P.S. – This email has been sent to teach and inform what I believe to be true. I wrote it with a sense of urgency, but not to specifically rebuke anyone. I think it is a very important subject that we all need to look at J I hope you receive it well! Please feel free to share your thoughts with me – I love to learn about God!