3/7/05

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Will No One Know the Day?
by Bob Schlenker

Will advance knowledge be given about when events will happen in the last days? Are the times and seasons of our Lord's coming knowable? Concerning the very day of our being gathered to Him, will some know? Does it even matter? There are questions many are led to ask. I had been taught in no uncertain terms that no one could or would know. It took some time for the Lord to convince me otherwise. If you think this is an important subject, please read this writing all the way through to the end. Let's consider the scriptural and historical records with an expectation that the Lord will fulfill the following promise.

One of the most widely quoted and misquoted passages these days is Matthew 24:36. I have heard it many many times over the years from a wide variety of people, and always in the context of meaning that the time of Jesus' coming is a secret that will not be revealed in advance of the events to man, angel or even the Son. It is widely believed to be a secret hidden in the Father that will not be revealed.

That interpretation is absolutely incorrect. To interpreting the phrase "no one knows" to mean no one "can ever know," or, "will ever know" is just plain wrong. Just read what is written. This is not a matter of a complicated mistranslation of the Greek but simply a misreading of what is written. Those who read it in the Greek misread it in the Greek as well. The word "oiden" is a very simple word that is translated "knows." Oh, the power of a preconceived idea!

The other verse used to support the "no one will know" theology is from the first chapter of Acts.

It was not for who to know? For those who asked the question being answered. Can this verse legitimately be interpreted as applying to any other people at any other time? Of course not! Just be honest about this. Is it for you or I to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority? Well, if there's an answer to that question it must be found elsewhere because this verse doesn't have anything to say about you and I today.

Taking an honest look at the two verses that form the basis of the "no one will know" doctrine it should be evident that, standing on their own, they can neither establish unknowability nor knowability. However, the Lord has indeed addressed whether or not times and dates are going to be known in advance so I'm going to examine the biblical record as well as give some historical examples. The truth we find as we approach the subject honestly and without fear is that the timing is knowable - some will know! What will also come to light is that knowing the timing of our Lord's coming is a matter of such importance that even the very knowability of the time must be concealed.

You might be thinking there must be some other place where a passage supports the popular interpretation - but there isn't. It is so simple yet scholar and student alike, year after year, continue to promote the misconception that "no one will know." I will address how this can be so later in this study.

I'd like to jump right into the book of Amos for a simple and very clear declaration.

The above verse is a simple and broad declaration. If you accept it literally, the case is made that the Sovereign Lord's servants the prophets will know even the times and dates of his coming. To suggest that any subset of knowledge about what the Lord will do will be kept secret from the prophets is to contradict the scripture. But that's not a very persuasive argument for some of you, so let's continue. Consider the following verse.

You might suppose our Lord was referring to things such as secret sins, but no. The context openly declares what kinds of hidden and concealed things he was talking about.

The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God is hidden but this knowledge is intended to be disclosed. Are the matters of times and dates excluded in this matter? What is there that will not be brought into the open? Nothing! All that is hidden will be made known. The only variables are when and to whom. Some of you aren't going to like this, but the knowledge of the kingdom secrets is esoteric. That means some will know and some won't. The difference between those who will and won't know is found in their character.

The character of the people as the determining factor in whether or not people will know the times and dates is addressed where the prophet Daniel was given some very specific information about timing of end time events that relate to the Lord's coming.

Because the words were closed up and sealed until the time of the end, we learn that the wise would understand when the words would be unsealed at the time of the end.

I'd like to make a point about what it is like as the wise begin to understand. Since the time words have been given but closed up and while no one could understand, haven't men still offered their views on the subjects? Haven't we had doctrines established from out of religious presumption? Of course! When understanding comes to the wise, what comes forth will be different, a new understanding. If you judge interpretations on the basis of whether or not they are new, you have been programmed by the wicked.

The next verse is amazingly clear when you allow yourself to consider that the knowledge of the hidden matters of times and dates is indeed knowable. It also instructs us further about the difference between those who will know and those who won't.

The only possible inference is that if they do wake up, they will know at what time He will come. Only if they remain asleep will the Lord come to them in stealth like a thief. Will no one know? Will no one be awake? From this verse, you should observe very carefully that those who will know when he comes are awake and those who will not know are asleep. Being awake has to do with obeying what you have received and heard. If you have been asleep, repentance, which is turning from disobedience to obedience will cause you to awaken. So, adding what we have learned from Daniel 12, we see that the wise are the awake and obedient, while the wicked are the unrepentant, disobedient and asleep. The Lord will come like a thief to the wicked but his coming will be known in advance to the wise.

We may note these same features in the following passage about knowing the times and dates, as well as blessings and consequences associated with this knowledge.

Those in darkness will be surprised at the day of the Lord's coming like the secret coming of a thief in the night, but the brothers who do not need to be written to about times and dates will not be surprised like a thief. The wise will already understand about times and dates, which is why they don't need to be written to about them. They will not be surprised because they are not asleep but alert and self-controlled. The knowledge about the time of the Lord's coming will divide the church in such a way that some will find severe consequences for their wickedness - sudden destruction. When the Bride is stolen away out of the house by the Bridegroom Thief, those remaining behind will suffer loss. I do not believe knowing the time is the only qualification for the Bride, but it seems to be presented time and again as a significant factor.

Are you beginning to see how important it is to be able to interpret the signs of the times? If I am correct in my estimation of the gravity of the situation, the "no one will know" theology and the closely associated doctrine of imminence (that the Lord might come at any random moment) might possibly be the most dangerous doctrines in the apostate church today. (To suggest that the Lord's coming might be on some schedule other than that which is set forth in the holy day calendar is gross ignorance - as though what happened on Shavuot in Acts 2 was merely coincidental!) The plain truth that the wise will know and the wicked won't offends religious people because it acknowledges a distinction between the members of the body of Christ. There really are those who are righteous and worthy in contrast to those who are unrighteous and unworthy. The wicked always want to mask their wickedness by making it appear as though we are all the same in matters of righteousness. But there are wolves in sheep's clothing scattered throughout the flock. Have you been deceived? Their wickedness is exposed when the truth is made known that confronts their lies.

The Lord has actually commanded us to watch so that to neglect to watch is disobedience. Watching is an absolute requirement for each of us because we cannot personally know if we do not personally watch. If we were to accept the first date posed to us, we would almost assuredly be deceived because many many dates have been proposed for our Lord's return over the centuries. Each of us must watch to receive our own blessings. If we reject the Lord's command we will receive the consequences we deserve for disobedience.

The Lord not only commanded us to watch but also expects us to correctly interpret the signs we see.

Do you know about dates and times? It is not yet too late to learn!

The sense of the above directive is to watch because you do not yet know. If is taken to mean you "will not" or "can not," the many clear passages we have already read would be contradicted and the obvious intent of encouraging the watcher would be undermined. Think about that until it really sinks in.

What grand blessings are associated with the knowledge of the times and dates! And what severe consequences! This knowledge upon which such blessings and consequences hinge is of enormous importance. If you've followed this presentation so far, you should now begin to understand why the Lord so frequently directed his followers to watch. Why does he instruct about signs and command us to watch? So that the wise would be confirmed in their knowledge about times and dates. Did you notice that the owner of the house would not have let his house be broken into if he had known at what time of night the thief was coming? Some important questions we should ask are, "What is the house?" "Who is the owner of the house?" and "Why didn't he know?" Since the house is broken into by the Bridegroom Thief who steals away his Bride, the house is the house of God, the church of the Body, the "christian" church. The owner of the house is the collective body of people who have been given authority in the church to rule. The owner did not know what time of night the thief was coming because he was (is) asleep, unrepentant and wicked. Don't accept the lies of the owner of the house, friend. The doctrine of "no one will know" will merely deter you from the noble pursuit to which you have been called - to watch the signs of the Bridegroom's coming and rejoice at His near approach! Do you know at what time of night the thief is coming? Are you receiving your food at the proper time? Many of the profound discoveries you will find on this web site were learned as a direct result of knowing about their timing and the sequence of related events. There is abundant proof that the Lord is disclosing long hidden knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven today, if you have eyes to see. These matters deal with specific dates and specific times.

History is the Basis for the Future

There are a number of significant historical examples of people having advance knowledge of critical junctures in God's dealings with man. In these, the point is made that God is faithful to his promise to reveal matters of dates and times to those who are wise, awake and watching.

The first account that must be addressed is the one directly connected with the primary verse used to promote the "no one will know" theory - Matthew 24:36. This may surprise you, but it is quite possibly the most convincing evidence of the knowability of the time!

The primary subject is the knowability of the time, but somehow in our blindness it seems that we lose the context as we read - we forget the subject at hand when we come to verses 38-39. When we get to verses 42, 43 and 44 the subject is reiterated as we read; "... know which day your Lord is coming." (42) - "if ... had known at what time of the night...". (43) - "the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will". (44) Yes, the subject at hand is the knowability of the time. Since the Lord says "the coming of the Son of Man will be just like" some other event, and since the subject at hand is still the knowability of the time, we need to consider that other event with respect to the knowability of the time. What we find there as to whether or not the time was known in advance will reveal how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. If that time was known, the time of the coming of the Son of Man will be known. With that knowledge, we can then return to verses 38 and 39 of Matthew 24 for further insight. The example given is the days of Noah, prior to the flood. It is an obvious fact that Noah could judge the time to a particular degree by observing the progress of the ship as it was built. However, we are interested in whether Noah knew the very day. Let's go to Genesis 7 to learn from this important model.

Was this rain sent according to the promised schedule?

Noah knew the very day! The wicked did not know; they were ignorant, but the righteous knew! As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Mark his words - some will know the time at the coming of the Son of Man!

Now, when you continue reading in Matthew 24 you should have insight. Verses 38-39 give only a partial view because only the plight of the wicked is presented. It is only after following the reference back into Genesis 7 that you find the circumstance of the wise. Yes, they knew! Those who were eating, drinking and carrying on with their wicked thoughts and deeds knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. Noah knew because it had been announced to him. He was distinguished from the others who did not know by his righteous character.

The book of 2 Peter has something to add.

The times and dates were known the first time around. Do you think that there will be no one with wisdom remaining at the coming of the Son of man? If you study II Peter 3, you will see that the now familiar themes of the time element and the manner of living are woven in. Are you more wise than before?

When Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, (modeling for us a particular resurrection event) Elijah himself and certain others knew the day.

Daniel had great wisdom and the Lord gave him much revelation that had to do with times and dates. He was first grounded in the scriptures, as we should be - reading and obeying what is written without being deterred by the failings of the appointed religious leaders.

At our Lord's coming over 2000 years ago, you should be familiar with the record of certain people who had advance knowledge including Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, Simeon and, of course, the Magi, about whose knowledge I have written at length on this web site. Far from being exceptions to the rule, they are examples of the faithful fulfillment of God's promise to reveal his plan to his servants in advance!

Now that the knowability of the time has been established, it may be that this new revelation will require some time to pass before it really sinks in. This is a very fundamental doctrine in that much of your thinking and doing has likely been built upon the assumption that the time of the Lord's coming is unknowable. When you turn this foundation right-side up, everything built on it must be reevaluated. That's just how it works. Sooner or later, if you had previously believed the time was unknowable and then at some point come to believe it is knowable, your life will change. Watching for signs will become a very real and passionate endeavor. You will come to ask questions like, "When will it be revealed?", or, "Has it already been revealed?" And, "If it has been revealed, how can I find out?" May the Lord bless you and guide you by the work of the spirit, according to the promise that "He will teach you all things."

In closing, on a personal note, there are risks involved with daring to ignore the dissuasive arguments of the owners of the house and speaking out with the truth on this issue. If you reach the same conclusion I have reached, you may be labeled a date-setter and an heretic. You risk losing the secure feeling of abiding in the traditions of the church. You risk losing favor with the people around you, your friends and family. But, dear friend, when the blind lead the blind into the ditch you will not be with them but rather in the company of those who have seen beyond the veil and embraced the light, walking in it according to the Lord's good pleasure!

The Open Scroll