No Man Knows the Hour
Is it true no man knows the hour or has the church been missing some important information in the Bible? So many people say no one knows the hour or the time when the Lord Jesus will return. We tend to say or repeat a lot of things we heard from someone else. Let us look at a few scriptures in regards to the hour of His second coming.
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Matthew 24:36 KJV
Many people seem to know this scripture and often quote it but are we really paying attention to what other passages reveal to us in the Bible? Jesus did speak about “seasons” and “signs of the times”. These are the things that give Christians a clue that His arrival is soon. It is true we may not know the exact hour or time but He has given us plenty of clues in His Word regarding His second coming. What we need to do is observe the seasons and times and take notes.
In fact, there are many scriptures in the Bible that point to a VERY approximate time for us. Believers in Christ are also known as the children of God. This means they are not strangers. They are part of the family. So as a family member we should not be so surprised as someone who is considered an outsider. Let us look at several of the clues that give us hints to the time of the Lord’s return.
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Matthew 24:32-33 KJV
In this parable, Jesus was stating that when the leaves on a fig tree are ripe, this means, the figs are ready to be harvested. When the leaves on the branch appear it lets the person who harvests them know the figs are ready to be picked.
The parable of the fig tree is important to understand because Jesus is telling us the time or season that leads up to His return. When the fig tree has leaves it lets us know summer, or a “season”, is near. The fig tree, in a spiritual sense, represents the nation of Israel. Israel became a nation in 1948. Israel is like a tree that produces fruit but this particular tree doesn’t produce fruit until its leaves are visible. The figs are symbolic for the people of Israel. When the figs are ripe, or in a spiritual sense, when the people of Israel are ready to be taken, or gathered up, Jesus will be returning to gather them. This would include the church, as well. This reference to Israel being “ready” refers to them accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Yes, even if the nation of Israel are the chosen people of God they must come to the Father the same way everyone else does. Jesus said, He is the way, the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. John 14:6
In this parable, Jesus is telling us that once Israel becomes a nation His return is near and to expand further…Once the remaining Jews accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior His return occurs. To us, 50 to 75 years is not near. But we must remember that our time is not the same as the Lord’s time. Peter tells us a thousand years is like one day and one day is like a thousand years.
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. 2 Peter 3:8 KJV
These 75 years that have passed by also pertain to what the Bible calls a “generation”. The generation that witnesses Israel becoming a nation will see many signs and wonders occur before His return. We have indeed seen many wonders and some we gasp and fear when we see how destructive they have been. If you really stop to notice, we have already seen many scriptures in the book of Luke chapter 21 alone be fulfilled in these last couple of years.
Luke 21:8 – we’ve seen people call themselves the Christ.
Luke 21:9 – we’ve seen wars arise.
Luke 21:10 – we’ve seen nations rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
Luke 21:11 – we’ve seen earthquakes in various places, famines and pestilences, fearful sights from heaven.
Luke 21:12 – we’ve seen leaders of nations be persecuted and they are trying to put them in prison.
Luke 21:16 – betrayal in families and friends.
Luke 21:17 – we’ve seen hatred rise especially towards Israel.
Luke 21:25 – we’ve seen signs in the sun, the moon and stars, distress of nations, and even the sea and waves roaring (or turbulent).
Luke 21:26 – we’ve even seen men’s hearts failing them for fear.
But you beloved, and every believer is called to rejoice because our redemption draws near. Meditate on these things and we will focus on more details revealed in the Old Testament that show us His return is very soon. Be blessed!
