Let's recap some of the key points that we have discussed in
this series. First, if you accept my arguments, there is no
scriptural evidence to suggest that Jesus wanted us to think
that the Parable of the Fig Tree was a cryptic message that,
rightfully interpreted, was a reference to Israel becoming a
nation in 1948. As far as I can tell, this is a fabrication
of certain misguided American preachers and Bible teachers,
who believe that it is our duty to support Israel.

Second, there is likewise no Scriptural evidence that we are
supposed to interpret a Biblical generation as being a period
of exactly fifty-two years. This again was a number dreamed
up by American Christians who apparently thought that finding
an average number of years would solve their problem for them
and convince their followers that Jesus would be returning in
the year 2,000.

Third, nowhere does the Bible exhort us to add 1948 and 52,
so that we can determine that Jesus would return in the year
2,000. Obviously, this was a major error on the part of those
same misguided American preachers, because Jesus certainly
did not return in the year 2,000. Have you seen Him?

Fourth, there is convincing evidence in both the Old and New
Testaments, which strongly suggests that Isaiah's prophecy
was not about the birth of the nation of Israel in 1948, but
rather, about Jesus' birth, and the new spiritual nation of
believers which resulted from His Crucifixion on the Cross,
and His subsequent Resurrection from the dead, almost two
thousand years ago. This nation appears to have been born at
the moment of Christ's Resurrection, and Jesus was in fact
the Firstfruits, or firstborn, of this nation.

Allow me to add some clarification to that last point. While
in my view the Old Testament Scriptures seem to be prophesy-
ing the birth of a new spiritual nation founded upon Jesus'
Blood, and comprised mainly of Gentile believers, it is also
important to realize, as we saw just a moment ago, that once
a person does come to Christ, be they Jew or Gentile, their
ethnicity is no longer any of importance. As Paul candidly
wrote:

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor
free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one
in Christ Jesus."
Galatians 3:28, KJV

"Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor
uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but
Christ is all, and in all."
Colossians 3:11, KJV

Fifth, contrary to the claims of the "at any moment" people,
who expect Jesus to appear any day now without warning, the
Bible seems to indicate that certain key Endtime political
and religious events must occur, before the Lord will return.
Until all of these events do occur, as prophesied, it is my
personal belief, based upon my current understanding of the
Scriptures, that we still have at least seven years before
Jesus will return. The day may indeed arrive when we will be
able to anticipate Jesus' Arrival "at any moment", but in my
view, that day has not arrived yet. As such, it is harmful
to our faith to promote the "at any moment" doctrine, as a
number of preachers have done. Not only does it give people
false hope, but it makes us look like idiots, and may even
drive people away from our Christian faith when these false
predictions fail to materialize.

Furthermore, contrary to the misguided views of a few, there
is absolutely nothing that any of us can do, not even destroy
the Dome of the Rock, in order to force God to speed up His
plan. As we saw earlier, everything will occur in God's time,
in His way, as He sees fit.

Before concluding this series, let me add one final thought.
In presenting my arguments regarding why I believe that it's
wrong to offer a precise date for when Jesus will return, I
shared a verse from Matthew chapter twenty-four where Jesus
states "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the
angels of heaven, but my Father only". While I believe that
this verse certainly held true for the Disciples of Jesus'
time, being as they didn't need to know when the Lord would
be returning, I also believe that the day may possibly come
when we Christians of the Endtime may in fact know the exact
day when Jesus will return. As the Lord said to His closest
followers:

"Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom
of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might
not see, and hearing they might not understand."
Luke 8:10, KJV

Please also consider the truth of the following two verses:

"But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should
overtake you as a thief."
1 Thessalonians 5:4, KJV

"Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his
secret unto his servants the prophets."
Amos 3:7, KJV

For more details regarding why I embrace this belief, please
refer to my two-part article "As A Thief In The Night?: Not
For Me". With these thoughts, and this challenge, I'll bring
this series to a close. I pray that it has been a blessing
to many.


This file was written by the WordWeaver

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