SEPTEMBER 28, 2012
Day
Unknown
Read: Matthew 24:1-8
Of that
day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but
My Father only. —Matthew 24:36
To
many Londoners, 1666 looked like the year when Jesus would
return. Prophecy enthusiasts
had added 1,000 years since Christ’s
birth to 666, the number of Antichrist, to
arrive at the date 1666.
The
world did seem to be on the verge of destruction when in 1665
a plague claimed
the lives of 100,000 people in London. Then in
September 1666, a London fire
destroyed tens of thousands of buildings.
Some wondered, Didn’t the Bible
predict catastrophes at the end of the
world? (see Matt. 24:1-8). Yet the year
1666 passed, and life went on
seemingly as it had before.
Even
in our own day, there are those who have predicted the end of the
world. A date
is predicted, the media covers the frenzy, and then that
day passes
uneventfully.
In
God’s wisdom, the actual time of Christ’s return has been kept from
us. Jesus
said, “Of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels
of heaven, but My
Father only” (Matt. 24:36). This any-moment aspect
of Jesus’ return helps keep
believers motivated in Christian service and
spiritual growth all the time—not
just near a certain date
(25:1-13; 1 John 3:2-3). Be assured, Christ’s personal
return will take
place. And as we await that day, our lives should be marked by
“holy
conduct and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11).
Should He come in
the dawn of morning,
At noon or at
twilight dim,
I only pray that
every day
I’ll be waiting and
watching for Him. —Bearden
No
doctrine is more closely linked to practical daily living than
that of the
Lord’s return.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
