Speaking of the timing of His return in His famous prophecy on the Mount of Olives shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus said, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matthew 24:36).
On the surface this seems to indicate that we can't know when Jesus Christ will return until it actually happens. Is that what Jesus meant? Consider several verses from Luke's parallel account of that same prophecy in Luke 21:
• "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near" (verse 20, emphasis added throughout).
• "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near" (verse 28).
• "So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near" (verse 31).
Here, within the span of a dozen verses, Jesus tells us three times that events and trends in this same prophecy are clear indications that His coming is near.
Further, the book of Revelation, which is "the Revelation of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:1), in several verses gives us specific spans of time during which events will take place leading up to His return.
For example, gentiles (non-Jews) will gain control of Jerusalem and "will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months" (Revelation 11:2). Similarly, the two witnesses "will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days" before being killed and miraculously resurrected (verses 3-12). God's people are also hidden and divinely protected "for a time and times and half a time" (Revelation 12:14).
All three of these periods—42 months, 1,260 days and "a time [a year] and times [2 years] and half a time [half a year]"—equal 3 1 ⁄ 2 years. Comparing them with other prophecies, we know that all these 3 1 ⁄ 2-year periods end at Jesus Christ's return. Anyone who can count, then, can know to within a day or so the time of Jesus Christ's return—3 1 ⁄ 2 years from when these things commence.
So it isn't a matter that no one can or will know the time of Christ's return when it is near. Jesus Himself gives us three clear markers as to when the final 3 1 ⁄ 2-year countdown will begin. He gave us many other broad indications that the time is growing closer—thus He said, "When you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near."
Jesus followed His words "but of that day and hour no one knows" with the example of Noah's day, when people were unaware of or ignored the danger of the times in which they lived (Matthew 24:37-39). "Watch therefore," He then says—telling His followers to be alert to conditions around us and to be spiritually vigilant at all times.
The Bible gives us many warning signs that precede Christ's second coming. Yet indications are that in that time the vast majority of mankind will be simply unwilling to listen, or so far removed from God's Word that they are woefully unaware of those warnings.
The Parable of the Sower In Jesus' parable of the sower, recorded in Matthew 13, Mark 4 and Luke 8, "the seed is the word of God" (Luke 8:11). The story describes three reasons why some who hear God's truth fail to bear spiritual fruit. It also reveals the state of mind of those who produce abundant fruit. Following is a paraphrased summary of the four examples given.
The seed that fell by the wayside and was eaten by birds illustrates how many people may hear some truth, but Satan the devil is responsible for their losing interest before they really study it, believe it and act on it.
The seed that fell on rocky soil illustrates how some people are initially enthusiastic about God's truth, but they don't put down deep spiritual roots. When they begin to suffer trials or persecutions because of their beliefs, they lack the faith and courage to continue, and so they wither like a thirsty plant in the sun.
The seed that fell among weeds and thorns illustrates how our lives can become overcrowded and spiritually starved, just like a plant surrounded by weeds becomes starved for sunlight, water and nutrients. Those weeds and thorns include "the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches [materialism]," "the desires for other things" and "cares, riches and pleasures of life" (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19; Luke 8:14).
"But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty" (Matthew 13:23). Or, as Luke records, "those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience [or endurance]" (Luke 8:15).
Which of the above examples will apply to your life? GN