Jethro Bodine, a hilariously, idiotic character from the TV show, The Beverly Hillbillies, said in one episode, “I don’t understand all I know.” LOL! The TV persona didn’t have a lot of common sense, and said a lot of boneheaded things, which made for great comedy. But to make a point, we in the church age of the last five centuries haven’t been far from guilty of the same. We have repeated doctrines and blinding thoughts about scripture which are simply……well…..dumb.
Matthew 24:36-37
“No One Knows That Day and Hour”
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
The church has repeatedly taught this statement by Jesus as if it was a permanent statement that will remain true until His return. But in right context, Jesus made this statement while in the midst of His earthly ministry, before His passion and resurrection. Jesus was human at this time. He declared, here, that only God the Father knew the time of His return, for only God knows the end from the beginning. Yet, the church has and continues to preach this as if it is still a truth that Jesus does not know when His return is. That is ironic, considering the fact that Revelation 1:1 says otherwise….
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,…”
Scripture says that “All power in heaven and in earth” was given to Jesus Christ by the Father. Does that mean that all was given to our victorious Lord, except the knowledge of His return? Nah…It is Jesus who is the decision maker in when He returns. Jesus Christ is Yahweh. He is God. And God knows the day and hour of His own return.
It is also taught, concerning believers, that Jesus will return as a thief in the night and that we all better be ready. But in reality, scripture does not say that. What it actually says is that…… 1Thessalonians 5:2-5
“For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. BUT YOU ARE NOT IN DARKNESS, BROTHERS, FOR THAT DAY TO OVERTAKE YOU AS A THIEF. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.”
It’s a dangerous thing to depend on others to tell us what the Bible says when it is a command of God to know it and prove it for ourselves. Well intending men and preachers can still be wrong and are not the final word on the Word. It is those who are not awake and sober who will overtaken by the Lord’s sudden return. And….Jesus is not sitting on the sidelines wondering when it’s His turn to be put in the game. He is Lord and He is in control.