False Prophets 101 – Date Setting

I know I touched on this subject a couple days ago, but I want to make some more observations on this subject with Harold Camping’s false May 21, 2011 Rapture date coming just a few days from now.

Of course, I also already stated that I know that absolutely nothing is happening on Saturday. This Harold Camping guy has already proven himself to be a false prophet for setting the date of the Rapture and the end of the world back in 1994.

First of all, as always, we need to know exactly – what does the Word of God say on this subject?

Divination and soothsaying (both of which can be called in our modern vernacular – predicting the future) are strictly prohibited and are considered grave sin to anyone who participates in these practices. In many instances, in the bible, these activities are called “Observing the times.”

Jesus, right before He ascended said to His apostles who asked Him if He would be restoring the Kingdom to Israel, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” In fact, it was THE last thing Jesus said to them. I would think that Jesus’ last words would be important. (Acts 1:6-7)

If Jesus said that it is not for us to know the times or the seasons – why is there so many people who believe that we are to know the times or the season? He also said the following:

“But of that day and hour knoweth NO MAN, no, not the angels of heaven, but MY FATHER ONLY” Matt 24:36

“Watch therefore: for ye KNOW NOT what hour your Lord doth come.” Matt 24:42

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye THINK NOT the Son of man cometh.” Matt 24:44

“The lord of that servant shall come in a DAY when he looketh not for him, and in an HOUR that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the HYPOCRITES; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt 24:51

“Watch therefore, for ye KNOW NEITHER THE DAY NOR THE HOUR wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matt 25:13

I think that if there had been some hidden way to calculate the time or hour from the scriptures Jesus would have said so. But clearly Jesus said we were not to know the day or the hour or the times or the seasons.

If it is just a question of whether or not we are now in the last days, 1st John 2:18 states “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come , even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” That word time is the same Hebrew word Hora that was translated hour in the verses in Matthew. We have been in the last hour and last days since John wrote that verse.

We are to be followers of Christ. We are to watch and pray ALWAYS because Christ could return at any time. If we DID know the day and hour, as these false prophets suppose, then we would party like its 1999 and then clean up our act, repent and be all ready for the day when the Son of man would return, sort of like how they act for Mardi Gras. God knows this about us.

Now I know that it is fascinating to speculate and talk about the coming of our Lord. I wish it was today and this hour. But we are not to be caught up in all this talk about whether the Lord is coming back or not. He is. We know this. We should be ready and watching for his return and praying for the lost, among other things.

But most importantly we are NOT to be setting dates. I believe there may be some out there who have followed date setters and or set dates themselves and have been proven wrong, and are genuinely remorseful. If they were to repent and never set a date again, then they would be forgiven. Unfortunately, it is usually a pride thing and the date setters keep working away feverishly trying to figure out the next date that they can proclaim. I actually knew someone who told me that God told her she would die on Passover, Apr 22nd of this year. I told her I believed that satan had somehow infiltrated her prayer time with the Lord and was trying to make her into a false prophet. Of course, she didn’t want to hang out with me anymore after that. She is posting on her blog as of today, proving that she did not die on Passover. I haven’t gotten any kind of apology or anything, and now, having failed to predict her own death, she is predicting the death of America. Sorry if I don’t feel much like holding my breath on that one.

I know I say that dark days are coming. They are already here. Just look around at our society or watch TV sometime. It doesn’t take a prophecy to see that. All the more reason to watch and pray and to reach the lost while there is still time. How much time? I don’t know – and neither do you. I do, believe that if you meet someone who claims to have some insider knowledge of the day of the return of Christ or the rapture – or even the downfall of America or the stock market – I would be extra cautious before you start selling all your possessions or drink the Kool-aid.

Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves my friends.
Stay away from date setters and from meaningless speculations on the times we are living in. Jesus Christ could come back at anytime, but the Father is long-suffering, because He desires all to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. Thank God for that.

Blessings in Christ
Linda