SEPTEMBER 23RD:
Trusting In God's Timing, While Knowing His Nearness, GOOD, Date-Setting, BAD!
We have just seen a craze about a Rapture date like no other; not only did many believers completely trust that it would happen, some even went so far as to sell their belongings! But this is not advisable in any way. Going to extremes has become the theme for this year’s Feast of Trumpets festivities….
And not only is it out-of-bounds to go to extremes, we can’t even be sure that the Feast of Trumpets, or Rosh Hashanah is the Feast Day that the Rapture will happen…There are other Feast Days in which it could happen, or perhaps it’s not even going to be on a Feast Day!
Furthermore, God would not have us do things like sell everything we own. Where in the Bible does it encourage anything like that? It’s craziness, and worst of all when that date comes and goes it seriously discredits the Rapture, which is the last thing any of us wants… I wasn’t one of those who believed we would be raptured on September 23rd, therefore, I was not upset when it didn’t happen. After all, we’ve been through this so many times now. But then in this video, something is brought out about date-setters that should really inspire a least a degree of compassion for these believers who do this. Some of them have been suffering through incredibly difficult things, as we go through ‘these perilous times,’ and they are getting desperate, as we read in 2Timothy 3. Praying for them to make it through by trusting in the Lord, to not give up their hope, but to allow God’s Comfort to come in and help them regain their trust in God’s Sovereignty…
A lot of them are going through very tough hardships financially, and so forth, and we who follow Jesus shouldn’t judge their behavior unless we have all the facts. Yes they should stop, but if they never do learn that, we could perhaps leave a caring comment of understanding on their videos, and point out where they are going wrong—that date setting is unbiblical, and that’s where their problem lies, because trusting in God’s Timing is possible for those who take their relationship with Him seriously. What His Word instructs us to do is to long for Him in a patient trust throughout this trying period of waiting, rather than diminish their feelings--
Years ago, when people would make these types of predictions, I would just think, well it could happen, but now I know to disregard those things completely and just keep living like it’s going to happen at any time, because that is staying ready!
But, this year something does seem a bit different when it comes to Rapture dates, because nonbelievers, even if they are merely scoffing right now have been informed about the biggest event that will ever happen in our modern-day lives, (even though the bodies that have been in their graves for many years will be a part of it too!) And, it’s completely possible that they could end up becoming believers one day; hopefully in time to be a part of the most glorious thing that could ever happen to a human being, rather than having to go through the tribulation!
Therefore, those of us who are looking for Jesus with great expectation are excited, because we know that when He comes, we will live eternally with Him forever……So, rather than label date-setters looney tunes, we ought to pray for them and encourage them whenever we can, and explain that they can turn their unhealthy desperation into a healthy and trusted longing, by retraining their thinking by studying the End Times.
Craving the Rapture is really an acknowledgement of how much more we would like to live with God in Heaven, because we love Him so much more than this life, rather than staying here while things continue to worsen and become more and more wicked! What an easy choice!
“Finally, there is laid for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but to all those who have loved His appearing.” (2Timothy 4:8, nkjv)—
BUT, even though rumors do indeed fly, and we end up getting let down, we can still maintain peace in the FACT that JESUS will be coming at that perfect right moment in time! False predictions cannot, and will not change the timing of Jesus’ COMING!—
Anyone who has walked for awhile with the Lord has seen all this before. We have reason to look forward to the Rapture, but I have never been in love with date setting. 1988 was a huge date, but it will come when no one expects it. I am a dispensationalist, but my faith revolves around Christ, and not date setting
Amen Sister!! Date-setting is indeed tragic and wrong. But our belief, every single day that we breathe, in the imminent return of Yeshua is SO RIGHT!! Some say we just want to “escape,” and to that I respond, “Who would not rather live in the Presence of Christ?” Many who call themselves Christians have their roots and their treasures firmly planted on this earth. They may have it. I would much rather see Jesus.