(For the elect to watch and be ready spiritually)
-by Brod Andy-
Could the exact date of Christ’s glorious return be known ahead of time?
Should God’s church proclaim it?
Will Christ return in 2029? Keep Watching and Be Ready!
In an article written sometime in 2000 by a highly respected evangelist about the imminent return of our Lord Jesus Christ, the title declares with certainty that Jesus Christ will come again. However, it also strongly warns against setting of specific dates for that glorious and exhilarating event. The opening statement of the article reads,
“Can anyone accurately predict the time of Christ’s “Second Coming”? Should any man dare set a date for that momentous event—or predict precisely when the “6,000 years” of man’s chaotic misrule will end?”
Certainly, the evangelist is not alone among the churches of God (CoG) with strong opposition and serious reservation, even stern warning, against setting of dates for the return of Christ. After all not a few dates had been predicted and failed to the great dismay of the faithful since the 1st century church to our generation. Even the apostle Paul also erred in supposing initially that Christ would return within his lifetime (1 Cor. 15:50-52). He later on wrote that the day of Christ and the elect’s gathering unto him shall not come except there comes a falling away first and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition (2Thess. 2:1-4). Surely there are enough scriptures to support the warning. Those against setting the date are quick to argue that “if Jesus Christ didn’t know it, how could we who are mere men”? But what do we make of certain scriptures indicating that this event could be known to the very day that it will happen? Shall we just ignore them? Isn’t it better to study thoroughly, analyze and reconcile these seemingly contradicting scriptures (2Tim. 2:15) so that the truth will come out? After all as followers of Christ, we are admonished to live by every word of God (Matt. 4:4). But this issue is also primarily a matter that our Father in heaven had kept to himself until the time he would have decided to reveal it. The question therefore is not whether or not it can be predicted but whether or not the Father has intended to make it known before it comes.
Jesus Didn’t Know It Then, But Not For A Long Time
Certain scriptures in the Bible are time-bounded and remained true only for a definite period of time. Such was Christ’s statement in John 5:37.
Joh 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
The part of the above scripture that says, “Ye have neither…at any time…seen his shape” is still true today. However, that part stating “Ye have neither heard his voice at any time” ceased to be true in the course of Christ’s ministry. This happened when he asked the Father to “glorify thy name” days later before his impending arrest…
Joh 12:27-28 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. (28) Father, glorify thy name…
And the Father responded with “a voice from heaven” saying…
Joh 12:28-30 … I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. (29) The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. (30) Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
At this point and for the first and only time Christ’s disciples and others following him were able to hear the voice of the Father in heaven. And as Jesus himself explained, this episode happened for the sake of the people who at that point might still have doubted that the Father did send him.
When the disciples asked Jesus about the signs of his coming and the end of this present world, he didn’t really know the day of his return and so he only gave them signs and then capped these with the following words:
Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mar 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Most if not all who are against setting of particular dates would be quick to quote the above scriptures to support their position. They have the mistaken belief that until our time now Jesus Christ still does not know the exact day of his glorious return. But the scriptures above merely stated a simple fact: that at that point only the Father in heaven knew the day of his coming because the matter was still in His hands or power to decide. This was made obvious in Christ’s answer to a similar query of his disciples after his resurrection.
Act 1:6-8 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (7) And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32 are not saying that the Father shall keep the day of Christ’s coming a secret until the very day when He sends him back to establish God’s kingdom here on earth. In fact when the apostle John wrote the book of Revelation Jesus Christ already knew the day of his return because the Father had already revealed to him everything he needs to know about his return, namely: the end time events such as, falling away of the church (white horse), terrorism (red horse), trade/economic war (black horse), world war, famines, pandemics (pale horse); and the things to come (Rev. 1:1&19). Jesus Christ knew already every detail of all prophecies written about in the book of Revelation and the sealed book mentioned by Daniel the prophet (Dan. 12:4). At the time John wrote the Revelation, Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32 ceased to be true and valid because Jesus Christ already knew the exact day of his second coming. Just like John 5:37 these scriptures are also time-bounded and ceased to be true after certain period of time.
Why Past Predictions Failed
Before continuing it is essential to understand, first of all, why past predictions about the second coming of Christ have failed. There are two (2) important reasons for this and to members of God’s church it should not be surprising. First, when a prediction is given by anybody outside of God’s church it certainly would not come to pass. It is because God reveals his secret only to his servants the prophets and to them that He considers righteous. God’s word is emphatic on this in the book of Amos.
Amo 3:6-7 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? (7) Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
And Proverbs 3:32 adds,
Pro 3:32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
Since the time Jesus Christ built the church, God’s servants and righteous men could only be found in this one church and not anywhere else. Therefore any prediction by men outside of God’s church, such as those watching the “rapture of the church” that sent me emails of their predictions, are bound to fail. They don’t understand the truth about the coming kingdom and God has not revealed any of His guarded (sealed) secrets to them because they are not righteous neither His servants.
The 2nd reason is timing. There is a time for God to reveal this date and it shall come only when certain seals have been unlocked to open the understanding of the mystery surrounding it. Hence, setting the date of Christ’s return before the pertinent seals have been unlocked is premature and preemptive of his prerogative to reveal it. This is the most important reason why past predictions, even those of God’s own servants, Herbert W. Armstrong (HWA) included, have failed – The protective seals were still in place when such predictions were made. The correct understanding were still locked and the secret kept.
Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Dan 12:8-9 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? (9) And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Rev 5:1-3 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. (2) And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? (3) And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
Rev 5:8-9 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. (9) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
The immediately preceding verses above (Rev. 5:8-9) confirm that indeed Jesus Christ already knew the day of his return when the apostle John wrote the book of Revelation. It was no longer a matter that the Father placed in His power but one that had been decided and shared with Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:1). Opening the seals of the book that he took from the Father, for the understanding of his servants is now in Christ’s hands since he has prevailed to open them (Rev.5:5). The timing to reveal it to the church is now up to Jesus Christ to decide. Since John was writing from a distant past and was only brought forward in spirit to the time of the day of Lord (Rev. 1:9-10), the understanding of the mysteries in his writings are to be revealed only when the day of the Lord becomes a reality and not before. At this point it must be stated that the day of Christ’s glorious return is not the beginning of the day of the Lord. In fact the latter has already come without anyone predicting it because as the scripture says, it came “as a thief in the night”. To understand this point please read the article “Simplifying the Day of the Lord Puzzle”. Another article titled, “The White Horse and the Red: Mystery Truly Unlocked!” proves conclusively that the day of the Lord has already come as a thief in the night.
Knowing that Christ has prevailed to open the seals, should free God’s elect from the shackles of past failures and belief that the date of Christ’s glorious return could not be known until it comes. Instead, these failures should encourage us to keep watching world events, study and analyze the scriptures about prophecy correctly, and always keep close to God who reveals secrets and gives deeper understanding of his words. Hopefully this article will help us know and understand.
As in the Days of Noah
Reference to the days of Noah has also been cited often as basis for the argument that Christ return couldn’t be known ahead of time. However, a thorough examination of the scriptures pertaining to the great flood that wiped out entire population except Noah’s family would show the very opposite of what has been generally an accepted conclusion that Christ’s second coming can’t be known ahead of its occurrence.
Mat 24:37-39 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (38) For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, (39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
As it is of the world we live today, the entire population in the days of Noah consisted of: 1) the vast majority that were so wicked it repented God to have made man on earth, and 2) the very tiny minority that found grace in the eyes of God (Gen. 6:5-8). Jesus Christ used their example to warn the world in general and the elect today in particular, not to be like the vast majority of Noah’s time who ignored the warning about the impending destruction. Noah knew exactly the day that God had set to destroy all flesh on earth with a flood and must have informed the populace of his time, while construction of the ark was in progress. It was on the 17th day of the 2nd month, the 600th year (Gen. 7:4,11) of Noah’s life.
Gen 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
Gen 7:4-6 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. (5) And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him. (6) And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.
Gen 7:10-13 And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth. (11) In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. (12) And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. (13) In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;
It’s not that the entire population didn’t know or clueless of the exact day they would be destroyed with the flood. They were warned of the day the flood would come but stubbornly ignored the warnings and continued to enjoy life like everything was fine and business as usual. That’s why they were surprised by the suddenness of the flood and destruction as though they didn’t know it at all. They knew it but didn’t heed because they didn’t believe Noah nor God. It’s worrisome that the same thing could happen to this present generation and to most of the elect even if the date of Christ’s imminent coming and the impending destructions shall be proclaimed.
The Elect Shall Know It, If …
The scriptures are not wanting in giving warning signs for the elect to know and understand what lies ahead. And God certainly would and in fact has already revealed specific dates for the impending destructions and Christ’s glorious return. But the elect shall know it only if they understand and have faith to believe. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ once asked, “…when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Here is a scripture couched as a riddle. Did Christ mean none will believe when he comes in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matt. 24:30)? That would be absurd! It’s not only God’s elect who are waiting for his glorious return. The whole “Christian world” does. Certainly, many would believe, even those without faith, when Christ comes in the clouds of heaven (1Thess. 4:16-17) although a few months later, many will make war against him, supposedly as an invader from outer space (Rev. 19:19). But why would Christ ask that question? It’s because he was referring to his coming as a thief (Rev. 16:15) in the day of the Lord and not to his visible return when every eye shall see him (Matt. 24:30; Rev. 1:7). This requires faith (Heb. 11:1). Therefore he posed that question. He didn’t expect many would believe when he comes as a thief in the day of the Lord, as in the days of Noah, even if people are told. Occasionally in the past, the Lord God (who later became Christ) had appeared to select men for certain reasons. For instance, he appeared to Noah, Abraham, and Moses. Four days after his resurrection, he appeared to his disciples and later on to Saul and much later he appeared to the apostle John when he instructed him to write the book of Revelation. If people today even of the churches of God couldn’t believe that Jesus Christ had in time past appeared in spirit to HWA and much later to Robert G. Ardis for a very important purpose then it is not because he didn’t but because people simply have no faith to believe it. Having said that, it must now be stated at this point that the day of the Lord came already and it was known only on October 1, 1997 (pp.15-16 The Day of the Lord – 6000 Years Have Ended 3rd ed. 2006). On page 25 of the booklet “Set Apart By Truth”, Robert G. Ardis (RGA) wrote:
“The day of the Lord has come as a ‘thief in the night’. This extremely important event happened on October 1, 1997. No one was aware of it until it happened! This great Truth was revealed that night, immediately after it happened, and was preached to God’s True Church the next day on the Feast of Trumpets! The Lord ‘came suddenly to His Temple’. The Day of the Lord began!”.
He who does not believe in this revealed truth from God would also most likely not believe the exact date of Christ’s visible return that will be proclaimed shortly in this article. But the elect shall know it, and believe, if … they are watching and not sleeping.
Th 5:1-6 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
In Matthew 25:1-13 Jesus Christ gave a parable about the 10 virgins that have fallen asleep while waiting for their bridegroom. The virgins are God’s elect today and they are being advised through this parable to watch.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Those against setting of dates also use the above scripture in support of their belief that the day or hour of Christ’s return could not be known ahead of time. But they are missing the very purpose for watching. In their mind, since Christ’s return could not be known until he comes, all that the faithful should do is watch one’s own spiritual condition. However, that is not the intended purpose meant in this scripture. As stated in the above verse the rationale for watching is because (for) “ye know neither the day nor the hour” of Christ coming, then they should watch. Hence, the purpose obviously for watching is so that they will know the day or the hour of Christ’s coming. It’s like, why should a person study hard a difficult subject matter? Is it for him to become a better person or so that he will understand? That’s no brainer! Of course one should study hard to understand something difficult to understand! And with the acquired understanding becomes a better person. Likewise, we watch so that we will know. And with the new knowledge become a better prepared elect of God (Matt.25:15-29). If the intended purpose for watching is merely to keep track of our spiritual condition, Jesus would have no reason giving the disciples specific end-time signs (Matt. 24:14-26) that we should watch, the fulfilment of which help us know how near his return will be. Jesus had given the signs for good reasons, foremost of which is for his disciples to know the exact day he will return. To emphasize this point he gave the disciples the parable below:
Mat 24:32-33 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: (33) So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
Obviously, as each of the end-time signs is fulfilled, the day of Christ’s return becomes more imminent even as it is now at the doors. For this reason the purpose for watching is achieved.
Signs that Christ is Coming
Those who have fallen asleep spiritually and the rest of the world are oblivious to the fact that the day of the Lord has already come and that only few end time signs have not been fulfilled. The day of the Lord is a pivotal sign that began a few years after the falling away of the church (WCG) occurred and the man of sin who sat at the temple of God was revealed (2 Thess. 2:1-4). The mystery about the white horse and red horse of Revelation 6 are now understood and that they happened already and their impact are still being felt to this day. The great tribulation, which the 5th seal symbolized (Matt. 24:21; Rev. 6:9) is now looming in the horizon because the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet (Matt. 24:15) is now standing in the holy place (Whoso Reads, Let Him Understand! 2nd ed. 2006 pp. 18-23). This is now a fulfilled end-time sign. Previously, the work of preaching the gospel (Matt. 24:14) was finished at the death of Herbert w. Armstrong (HWA) in January 1986 although some quarters have disagreed about it. Now, those who are looking at a temple in Jerusalem, whether existing or to be built, for the fulfilment of Matthew 24:15 are looking at the wrong place because nothing is and will be holy in Jerusalem (Ezek. 23:17; 36:17) until Jesus Christ and the saints take their abode there (Rev. 21:1-3). This will be after the resurrection of the 144,000 firstfruits (Rev. 14:1-4; 20:4-6). The prophecy in Luke 21:20 pertaining to a desolation once Jerusalem shall be compassed with armies has nothing to do with a holy place because there is no place holy on the face of the earth today except God’s church. Very soon the great tribulation (Matt. 24:21; Rev. 3:10; 6:9-11) will be upon this world to try every person on the face of the earth. Sudden destruction will be upon the whole earth and in their panic people around the world will seek our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God’s elect should not believe anyone who will say Christ has arrived and here or there (Matt. 24:23-26) because many false prophets and Christ’s shall come out to deceive. In warning his disciples against deception prior to his imminent return Jesus said,
Mat 24:26-28 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. (27) For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (28) For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
It is easy to understand what Christ meant regarding the lightning. However, what did he mean about the “carcase” and “the eagles” that will “be gathered together”? When Jesus Christ returns, every eye shall see him in the clouds of heaven approaching our planet earth. Like a lightning he will be seen from all parts of the world. And satellite cameras will certainly capture scenes of his coming and show them in television sets everywhere. However, when he gets closer to the earth, only the eyes of them who are near the place where he awaits the resurrected and the translated saints (eagles) will be able to see him. Therefore Christ issued this warning sign so that when the great tribulation comes the elect will not be deceived. But, where is that place where the eagles will be gathered together? It is the place where the bodies (“carcase”) of the 2 witnesses that should be killed at the end of their work, will lie unburied (Rev. 11:8-9). That place is a mountain where Jesus was crucified, just outside the city of Jerusalem (Luke 23:33; Rev.11: 8). Now that we know this, there is no way any false prophet could deceive the elect when they say Christ is here or there. But their declarations that Christ has returned will fulfill this very prophecy about them (Matt.24:23-26) and tell us how very imminent Christ’s coming is.
Can We Set the Date of Christ’s Return?
It is not for any man, and not me definitely, to set the date of Christ’s return. But if he reveals it from the scriptures can we not and shall we not proclaim it? As we proceed, it will become obvious that we are not by ourselves setting the date of Christ’s coming but Christ himself through the scriptures that can be put together pointing to a specific day that this event will happen. It is no different from putting together all the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that can be fitted in only one particular way to reveal the beautiful picture that is hidden in the cut-out pieces.
Deciphering the exact day of Christ’s coming lies in the understanding of the following factors, namely: 1) That the day of the Lord has already come as a thief in the night; 2) That the resurrection of the firstfruits will be on feast of firstfruits, Pentecost day; and 3) certain sealed scriptures that include a few verses that involve certain number of days. Enough has been written about the day of the Lord and posted in this website, so that we will not discuss it further in this article.
In chapter 15 of Paul’s 1st letter to the Corinthians he wrote:
1Co 15:3-6 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (5) And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: (6) After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
What did Paul mean by “according to the scriptures”? Of course there is no other way to interpret that. “According to the scriptures” means according to prophecy as found in the Word of God, the Holy Bible particularly in the Old Testament. Jesus Christ said of this in the following verses:
Mat 26:53-56 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? (54) But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? (55) In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid no hold on me. (56) But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.
Two times in the above verses (1Cor. 15:3-6) Paul used the phrase “according to scriptures”. First with respect to Christ’s death and then with respect to his burial and resurrection. So which prophecies did the apostle refer to and what aspects of these scriptures is relevant to Christ’s imminent return? Are there any references to dates? Somewhere in another article posted in this website, it is stated that God’s master plan for salvation of mankind and the coming kingdom of God, as pictured by the feast days in Leviticus 23, can be considered as “the mother of all prophecies”. Therefore, a lot of information about prophetic dates can be learned from Leviticus 23. We know from various scriptures that Jesus came to fulfil the ultimate sacrifice pictured in the scriptures by the Passover lamb (John 1:29; 1Pet. 1:19; Rev. 5:12). He was also referred to by the apostle Paul as “the firstfruits of them that slept” after he was “risen from the dead” (1Cor. 15:20). And so let us examine certain scriptures pertaining to these events.
The Date of Christ’s Death
In Leviticus 23 we find the complete list of the feasts of God that should be proclaimed in their seasons (Lev. 23:4). These feasts as we already know picture the master plan for man’s salvation and the establishment of God’s kingdom here on earth. Since they are to be proclaimed and kept in their seasons dates and days are involved. The Passover which pictures the death of Jesus was proclaimed to be kept on the 14th day of the first month (Lev. 23:5). The Passover lamb was to be killed in the evening of the 14th. Details pertaining to this as kept by the Israelites is found in Exodus 12.
Exo 12:3-6 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: (4) And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. (5) Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: (6) And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
In God’s reckoning of a day the night part comes first, beginning with the evening, before the day part, beginning with the morning (Gen. 1:5). So how did Christ die for our sins according to the scriptures? In his last Passover observance, Jesus kept it with his disciples in the evening of the 14th day of the 1st month in accordance with the above verses. He was not killed that evening but only arrested after some time because he had to keep first the foreshadowing of his own death and to change the manner by which Passover must be kept thereafter. But early morning of the 14th his trial and sufferings began and by about 12 noon (6th hour) his tormentors killed him.
Luk 22:7-15 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. (8) And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. (9) And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? (10) And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. (11) And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? (12) And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. (13) And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. (14) And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. (15) And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
Luk 22:54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.
Luk 22:62-67 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. (63) And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. (64) And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? (65) And many other things blasphemously spake they against him. (66) And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, (67) Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:
Luk 23:44-46 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. (45) And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. (46) And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Other details relative to Christ’s death such as how his body and face were disfigured while none of his bones was broken and the insults he suffered were also according to scriptures (Isa. 53:1-7). What we are interested here is only the fact that he died on the same date the scriptures indicated, on Passover day.
The Date of Christ’s Resurrection
As declared in Leviticus 23 the 15th day of the 1st month is 1st day of the feast of unleavened bread (Lev. 23:6) and by evening following Christ’s death no work should be done. Before sundown that day Christ’s dead body should therefore be buried and all the multitude who watched Christ’s agony go their respective homes.
Now there is written in Leviticus 23 a special offering that the priest should perform relative to the harvests of the fields. It is something that is not even proclaimed as part of any feast but so essential nonetheless that unless this and the related offerings are done, nothing could be eaten from the firstfruits harvest.
Lev 23:9-12 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (10) Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: (11) And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. (12) And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD.
Lev 23:14 And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
This is the sheaf of the firstfruits that the priest should wave to the Lord to be accepted “for you” (on behalf of the people) on the morrow after the weekly Sabbath within the days of unleavened bread. What does this wave sheaf symbolize? It symbolizes the resurrected Christ who had ascended to the heaven above to be accepted by the Father not only for the firstfruits of God’s kingdom but for all people who shall also, in their appointed time, gain eternal life. And this was how it was fulfilled:
Mat 28:1-6 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (2) And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. (3) His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: (4) And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. (5) And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. (6) He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Jesus Christ rose from the dead and ascended to heaven on the very same day and hour that the priest in charge of the offerings during that time was waving the sheaf of the firstfruits. That was on the morrow after the Sabbath during days of unleavened bread. Thus were the dates of Christ’s death burial and resurrection according to scriptures or prophecies.
Pentecost Day Firstfruits Resurrection
When will the resurrection of the firstfruits be? Robert G. Ardis has adequately and conclusively answered this question in his booklet titled “The Feast of Trumpets OR Day of Pentecost… WHICH? The resurrection of the firstfruits will be on the day of Pentecost, feast of the firstfruits. We shall not belabor to explain it here but state only that just as the dates of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection were all according to scriptures found in Leviticus 23 so also is the day of the resurrection of the firstfruits. Fifty (50) days after the waving of the sheaf of firstfruits that represented the risen Christ, the priest shall perform another offering again. He shall wave two loaves of bread representing the firstfruits on the morrow after Sabbath, day of Pentecost. This symbolizes the resurrection of the firstfruits, an event that will coincide with the visible and glorious return of Christ (1Thes. 4:13-17).
Lev 23:15-21 And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: (16) Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD. (17) Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto the LORD. (18) And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the LORD, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the LORD. (19) Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings. (20) And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest. (21) And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.
It follows therefore that if we can determine the exact day of future Pentecost when the resurrection of the firstfruits occurs we will know that on that date our Lord Jesus Christ will come. With this information our task has become easier. And we are closer to proclaiming the exact date of Christ’s glorious return on Pentecost day, feast of firstfruits!
The End of this Present World
The late Robert G. Ardis (RGA), in his booklet “WHOSO READS, LET HIM UNDERSTAND!” (2nd Edition, 2006) come up with a 2008-2012 timeline detailing the end-time events leading to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ on a Pentecost day. The timeline starts with his findings that the day of the Lord has already come as a thief in the night; that man’s 6000 years of misguided life away from God have ended in 1997. Dates are indicated on specific events based on a clear understanding that the 1335th day in verse 12 chapter 12 of the book of Daniel coincides with the prophet’s very own resurrection when he shall stand at his lot.
Dan 12:12-13 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. (13) But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
This will also be the day when the bodies of the 2 witnesses shall arise and ascend (Rev. 11:7-12) to meet Jesus Christ in the clouds (1Thess. 4:16-17).
Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Rev 11:7-9 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. (8) And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (9) And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
Rev 11:11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
In this timeline RGA was able to fit all the relevant numbered days in the books of Daniel and of Revelation such as the above copied scriptures. However, in presenting how they fit snugly, he wrote on page 41of the booklet:
Therefore, let’s put all of these appointed times, these numbered days, together so that they all “dovetail”, fitting perfectly. Let’s look at the possibilities (and I emphasize “possibilities”, not “actualities”) that we can understand about the next few years.
And then he concluded with these statements on page 48:
“NOW—WE DO UNDERSTAND HOW TO CALCULATE THE “TIMES”,
BUT IT IS IN GOD’S HANDS AS TO WHEN THE “TIMES” SHALL BE!
PERHAPS 2005 TO 2009 WAS A “TRIAL RUN” FOR US. IT WON’T BE
LONG BEFORE 2008 WILL BE HERE, SO LET’S WATCH AND PRAY AND BE
READY FOR WHATEVER GOD DECIDES.”
Now we have come to year 2020. Obviously, in 2006 it was not the time yet to be certain on the date of Christ’s return when Robert Ardis was inspired to put together the appointed times that will be fulfilled as pictured by the holy days proclaimed in chapter 23 of the book of Leviticus. That is why he could only invite the reader to “look at the possibilities”. And indeed they were just possibilities because God has not decided that they become “actualities” in 2008-2012. We can only commiserate with RGA and everyone who hoped for Christ’s return in 2012. But why did Christ not come in 2012? What was amiss in the calculation of RGA? Has God delayed Christ’s schedules? If RGA could only present possibilities, can we at this time be certain of Christ’s coming?
To be sure, God has not delayed any schedule for Christ’s return. Just the opposite.
Rom 9:27-28 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: (28) For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
RGA couldn’t really be certain with the timing of Christ’s return because of a few loose ends he failed to tie together. And that’s what we are going to do shortly in this article.
The End of 6000 Years
It’s a well-accepted belief in God’s church that man was given 6000 years to go his own way after Adam and Eve turned their back on God by listening to the voice of the adversary Satan the devil. At the end of 6000 years the kingdom of God shall come and be established here on earth at the return of Christ. But when did the 6000 years begin? Unless we know this we are at a loss how to figure out the end of 6000 years of man’s misguided life. Some if not most watchers of the end time, for lack of historical or scriptural record, were construed to assume that man’s 6000 years began at his creation in 4004 BC. This led RGA to calculate and believe that the 6000 years of man’s self-reliant life have ended when the day of the Lord was revealed to have begun in 1997 (The Day of the Lord booklet, 3rd ed. 2006 pp. 15-21). However, this is inaccurate. It is a loose end that should be properly tie up and not keep hanging. Adam and Eve were not immediately driven out of their place in Eden and separated from God for disobedience at the time of creation. This is the reason why RGA was careful in presenting his timeline for the coming of Christ and God’s kingdom as possibilities. This time however, we are going to show that it’s no longer just possibilities but, as revealed in scriptures and historical events, the period God has determined “THE TIMES SHALL BE” when Jesus Christ shall return.
There is no record in the Holy Scripture that reveals the day nor the year when Adam and Eve disobeyed God but there is a scripture indicating the age of Adam and Eve when Satan came to deceive them. It was the age of Jesus Christ when Satan tried to tempt and deceive him to follow the latter’s corrupted way (Matt. 4:1-3) against God. And that age was 30 (Luke 3:23; 4:1-3). God could not have allowed Adam and Eve to be tempted by Satan at an age younger than 30 because that would make Christ’s victory over Satan of lesser value if not empty for being unfair to Adam and Eve. It’s because it can be argued that had they been tempted at the age of 30 they also could have overcome the devil. Viewed from this perspective, man’s separation from God to go his own way must have begun in 3974 BC when Adam and Eve were about 30 years of age. Consequently, this will bring the end of man’s 6000 years of misrule under the influence of Satan to year 2027. That is the conclusion that can be extracted and seen from the scriptures.
100 Years Prior to Noah’s Flood
Another perspective from which to view the end of man’s 6000 years is from the last 100 years of Noah’s life just before God let lose the waters from the fountains of the deep and from the opened windows of heaven. There is a similarity between the work of Noah and that of HWA. It was to HWA, the church as it was the ark, to Noah. And they preached a similar message. God used Noah to preach repentance and the end of the old world (2Pet. 2:5) to the people of his time and warned them of the flood that would end all flesh on earth because of widespread wickedness. And he was instructed to build the ark so that those who would repent could be saved. But the world that was then just ignored him (Matt. 24:37-39). His work began when he was 500 years old (Gen. 5:32). After 100 years (Gen. 7:6) only he, his wife and his 3 children and their wives boarded the ark and saved with a host creatures in pairs. When we read Christ’s end-time warning that relates to the days of Noah this fact is overlooked because our focus is drawn to the last few days when the people then were eating, and drinking, and marrying, etc. when suddenly the floods came.
Mat 24:37-39 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (38) For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, (39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
That Noah was preaching as well as building the ark does not come automatically into our mind when we read the above scriptures. Likewise, God called and began to use HWA in the 1920’s to raise the 6th candlestick end-time church and to fulfill prophecy pertaining to the gospel and the end of this present world. He was baptized in God’s church in 1927 became a minister in 1931 and in 1934 began to preach on air the gospel of the coming kingdom of God (Matt.24:14) and the end of this present world (verse 3). This he continued to do while membership of the end-time church kept growing. But until his death 52 years later he too was largely ignored except by very few individuals whom God called to support him in the Work. We don’t know how many years Noah preached and nobody listened. He might have stopped at certain point and focused on completing the ark realizing the futility of preaching because all he got were ridicules. Likewise, HWA is now dead. But some bigger churches that sprang up after his death are vainly preaching again to the world that which he had already finished, instead of preparing the church for Christ’s return. The smaller churches though have their focus on preparing for the coming of Christ. It would be 100 years in 2027 since HWA’s baptism and God began using him. The same length of time that God used Noah in warning the old world before the floods. This is truly amazing. This is a neglected but equally significant aspect of “as in the days of Noah”. This is another piece of information that was not available to RGA in fixing the end of 6000 years. Very soon this world will be terrified for ignoring the gospel and end-of-the-world message that HWA preached.
Christ’s 30-Non-meddling Years
It might seem insignificant to many in the church but, viewed with prophetic lenses, Christ’s 30 years from his human birth in 4 B.C. to his baptism (Luke 3:21-23) in 27 A.D. says a lot about the work the Father has commissioned him to do. For that duration of time he did nothing to meddle with the affairs of men whether civil or religious although he was born with a royal blood, even to be a king (Isa. 9:6-7). He just watched and observed the ways and the daily grind of the people of that time while preparing for his work (Luke 2:46-50). It was only after he was baptized in 27 A.D. at age 30 and overcame Satan’s temptation, that he began to preach that “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand…” (Mark 1:13-15; Luke 4:13-15). However, that was just the beginning of the work he was to do and not the completion. After founding the church and teaching his disciples to continue with the work and take care of the church, he died, was resurrected and returned to the Father in heaven. In the ensuing years, he made sure the church would survive despite many trials, opposition and persecution. He watched and saw and evaluated the work of each of the 7 churches that came in succession (Rev. 2 & 3). After 2,000 years he came as a thief in 1997 to reveal to the church that the day of the Lord has already come; that the great tribulation is imminent; that the kingdom of God is now at the doors (Matt. 24:33). And yet since 1997 until this writing, he has not meddled in the affairs of men but merely watching and observing. Meanwhile, world events are rushing toward the great tribulation. Famines, pestilences and earthquakes are getting worse these days and great sorrows are now upon many people in the world. Will Christ just continue observing all the evils that mankind has brought upon themselves, or at last intervene in 2027 to end all sufferings and cut short the great tribulation (Matt. 24:21-22) after 30 non-meddling years?
The 40-Year Wilderness of Israel
The end of this world can also be viewed from the experience of the Israelite in the physical wilderness at the outskirts of Canaan, the promise land. The apostle Paul cited their doings in the outskirts of the promise land as an example for us today (1Cor. 10:1-11). In verse 11 Paul wrote,
1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
At no other time is the journey of the Israelites from the land of Egypt more relevant than it is for God’s elect today. The Lord God delivered them from bondage in Egypt with miracles and wonders but when trials came murmured against him. Therefore they were in the wilderness 40 years prevented from entering (Josh. 5:6) Canaan, because of their murmurings and disobedience against God (Numb. 14:27-29; 32:10-13). They have even desired to return to Egypt (Numb. 14:1-4). Similarly, God’s elect are also having their wilderness to this day after the church (WCG) had fallen away from the truth in 1989 and broke up into various churches of God. For 31 years to date these churches are groping in darkness of spiritual wilderness at the doorstep of God’s kingdom. They have forgotten what they were taught about having “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” , etc. (Eph. 4:3-6). Many have lost love for the truth (2Thess. 2:10-11), their first love, and succumbed and returned to the fallacies of the ungodly. The rest have unwittingly allowed Satan to prevail in creating confusion and division while calling themselves churches of God. It will soon be 2029 and the 40-year wilderness of God’s end-time elect will be finished. Are all of these significant events mere coincidence or in the plan of God? Will Christ finally intervene in 2027 to end this present world and prepare for his rule? Will he come in 2029?
Let Us Proclaim the Day of Christ’s coming!
The day of Christ’s coming in the clouds of heaven on Pentecost day, feast of firstfruits, is no longer a secret. We did not set it, but our God our Almighty Father in heaven.
Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
The time has come for it to be revealed in our generation now in the day of the Lord. Our Lord Jesus Christ has revealed it through certain scriptures the full understanding of which have been kept hidden for many generations. And he has revealed it through certain prophetic events that converge at no other day but Pentecost and no other period but 2025-2029. First, we didn’t know that the resurrection of firstfruits will be on Pentecost day, feast of first fruits. We previously thought it would be on feast of trumpets. But now we know. It was revealed to RGA and we understand it. Second, we didn’t understand that: 1) the 1335th day of Daniel 12:12 coincides with the resurrection of firstfruits, on day of Pentecost and 2) the 1335 days could be fitted only occasionally from feast of trumpets and four Pentecosts later. But now we know. Christ has also revealed it to his servant RGA along with the understanding of other numbered days. Third, we didn’t know that the 6000 years of man’s existence apart from God began in 3974 B.C. and will end in 2027 A.D. But now we know. Fourth, we didn’t realize that the days of Noah before the flood spanning 100 years, foreshadowed the work of HWA that started in 1927 and will end in 2027 when the 6000 years of man’s self-rule shall expire. But now we know. Fifth, we didn’t realize that Christ’s 30-non-meddling years from human birth to the beginning of his ministry pictures 30 years of no intervention since day of the Lord until 2027. But now we know. Sixth we didn’t understand that the 40-year physical wilderness of Israel at the outskirts of the promise land was a type of 40 years spiritual wilderness of God’s elect that started in 1989, 3 years after the death of HWA’s. But now we know. And Seventh, we have been taught and believed that even Jesus Christ does not know the day and hour of his return until now. But now we understand it’s not true because he knew it already when Revelation was written.
All these, plus the knowledge we have that the dates of Christ’s, death, burial and resurrection were according to scriptures, have given us enough certitude, courage and confidence to proclaim right here and now that:
Jesus Christ is coming on Pentecost day, Feast of Firtsfruits: May 20, 2029!
There are only two reasons the date above for Christ’s return might be wrong, namely: 1) if the calendar that we in the churches of God have been using since the WCG days is erroneous; and 2) if the 2 witnesses shall not confirm it because this event has to be reset for reasons only our Father in heaven knows at this point. We don’t know but there is a possibility that this day shall be moved earlier because of Christ’s words in Matthew 24 that reads,
Matt 24:22 (KJV) And except those days should be shortened, THERE SHOULD NO FLESH BE SAVED: but for the elect’s sake THOSE DAYS SHALL BE SHORTENED.
Based on the tenor of Christ’s statement, the days of the great tribulation will surely be shortened. Therefore there is a possibility that the day of his return might be advanced.
Let it be noted though that delaying Christ’s coming beyond 2029 or moving it earlier than 2027 is not likely to happen because having such would result to non-convergence of significant prophetic events (fulfilled and still to be) at Christ return on a Pentecost day, feast of firstfruits. In other words many loose ends won’t tie up and keep hanging in having a different date outside 2027-2029.
A Few Events to Watch
Following the pattern that RGA has laid out in “Whoso Reads, Let Him Understand! let us now put together a timeline of a few events which are associated with Christ’s coming and the establishment of God’s kingdom here on earth.
- From feast of trumpets September 23, 2025 to Pentecost day, feast of firstfruits, May 20, 2029 is 1335 days. This is the period of time indicated in Daniel 12:12 that pronounces blessings to those who have waited for and come into it. At the end of these days the prophet Daniel shall stand in his lot.
- The 2 witnesses will begin their 1260-day ministry of prophesying on December 3, 2025. They will be killed on May 16, 2029, 3 ½ days before Pentecost day, May 20, 2029. On March 28, 2026 the elect of God worthy to escape the great tribulation shall begin their 1150 days (Rev. 12:14) in the place Christ has prepared for them to be nourished there until he comes. On April 1, 2026, Passover day, the 42 months (approx. 1240-1260 days) of the great tribulation begins (Rev. 6:9-11; 11:2; 13:5-8). Those of the elect who are not worthy to escape the great tribulation shall make their ultimate sacrifice to be worthy of their place as firstfruits in the kingdom of God.
- On feast of trumpets 2027 or earlier, the 6000 years of man’s disastrous self-rule against the spiritual laws of God’s love will end as Christ begins to intervene supernaturally to cut short the great tribulations (Matt. 24:21-22, 29; Rev. 6:12-15). Twenty centuries ago at age 30 in 27 A.D. Jesus Christ began to intervene in the affairs of man by preaching the gospel of the coming kingdom of God. He will this time intervene again to fulfill it. On feast of trumpets 2028 the 7 trumpets shall begin to sound. This will continue Christ’s intervention to cut short the great tribulation for elect’s sake. When the last trumpet shall be sounded on Pentecost day May 20, 2029, every eye shall see the Lord Jesus Christ as he appears in the clouds of heaven to meet the 2 witnesses and the rest of the firstfruits. The first resurrection will be fulfilled and those alive which are Christ’s shall be changed and put on an incorruptible glorious body at the twinkling of an eye. Also at the sound of the last trumpet, the pouring of the 7 vials of the wrath of God begins the last of which shall be on feast of trumpets September 10, 2029.
- On May 20, 2029 Christ will present the 144,000 firstfruits to the Most High God, the Almighty Father in heaven. Officially they shall become new members of the ruling God Family, marriage ceremony and celebration will follow. Orientation of the new family members about their office shall be conducted in preparation for the great work when Christ begins to reign on earth. They will stay in heaven until the feast of trumpets September 10, 2029.
- On Feast of Trumpets September 10, 2029 Jesus Christ returns to earth with the 144,000 firstfruits (Rev. 19:11-14). On this day the powers of this world will fight against the returning Christ (verse 19) but they will be destroyed and overthrown. The great tribulation will be ended.
- By Day of Atonement, September 19, 2029, all resistance against Christ will be subdued. The beast and false prophet that has led the war against Christ shall be thrown into the lake of fire alive (Rev. 19:20) and Satan cast into the bottomless pit to be restrained for 1000 years.
- And finally on Feast of Tabernacles September 24, 2029 a new world order shall begin as Christ assumes his office as King of Kings and Lord of Lords with the 144,000 firstfruits of the Kingdom of God.
Thus shall this present evil world be ended and the foretaste of God’s kingdom, the 1000 years of Christ’s reign on earth begun and established. Year 2025 is very near. In 5 years world events can change suddenly. There will be chaos and violence and before we know it the great tribulation is upon the whole earth (Matt. 24:21; Rev. 3:10). Great suffering will come to all the world but likewise the great deliverance (Psa. 18:46-50; Luke 4:18). May the elect of God keep praying and watching (Luke 21:36) and be worthy to stand before Christ when he comes!☻
P.S.
The end of man’s 6,000 years is only 7 years away! We don’t want to be caught napping on the job, so in anticipation of the LORD’s fast-tracking of world events, we have posted on this website several articles designed to help us make it to the wedding with Christ! In particular, the series of articles on “God’s Covenants, Extinct or Extant?” are excellent review materials for the prospective Bride of Christ.
High-resolution timeline available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L1qGaBBkSmMhLtYMvfBjpllHELDBBreB/view?usp=sharing
