Date-setting for the end times has been a controversial topic among Christians for centuries. While some believe we can predict when Jesus will return or other end time events will occur, others argue that the Bible tells us we cannot know the day or hour. Looking closely at what Scripture says can help us evaluate the merits and potential pitfalls of attempting to set dates for the end times.
The Unknown Timing of Jesus’ Return
Several passages indicate that the timing of Jesus’ return is unknown to us. Matthew 24:36 states, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Similarly, Mark 13:32 asserts, “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” The implication seems clear that the exact time of Christ’s return has not been revealed to human beings, but only to God the Father.
Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24:42 instructs us to “Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” And again in Matthew 24:44, Jesus says, “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Passages like these caution believers against assuming we can pinpoint the timing, but rather should live in continual readiness and expectation.
In Acts 1:7, when the disciples ask if Jesus is going to restore the kingdom to Israel at that time, Jesus replies, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” This indicates that the Father has chosen not to reveal certain aspects of His timing.
The Suddenness of Jesus’ Return
In addition to the unknown timing, Scripture points to the sudden and unexpected nature of Jesus’ return. Matthew 24:27 describes it as lightning flashing from the east to west. And verse 44 warns believers to be ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour they do not expect. In Matthew 25:13, Jesus instructs us to “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” And in the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, the point is to be ready and waiting, because we do not know when the bridegroom will return.
First Thessalonians 5:2-3 continues this theme, stating “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.” The imagery indicates a swift and unexpected coming of Christ.
Second Peter 3:10 also describes the coming of the day of the Lord as arriving “like a thief.” And Revelation 16:15 reiterates this: “Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!” These verses reinforce the idea that we must be ready at all times, because we cannot predict the timing of Jesus’ return.
Calls to Be Ready and Watchful
Rather than attempting to discern dates, Jesus and the apostles repeatedly emphasize the importance of being ready and remaining watchful for His return. In Luke 12:35-40, Jesus instructs His disciples to stay dressed for action and keep their lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding feast. The master may come in the second watch, or even the third, so they must stay alert and ready at all times, for “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
In Mark 13:33-37, Jesus says to be on guard, keep awake, and be ready, because we do not know when the master of the house will return. He warns in verse 36, “lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.” And again in verse 37, “And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” Remaining spiritually awake and vigilant is clearly emphasized more than discerning any times or seasons.
Paul echoes Christ’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 exhorting believers to “let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” And in Revelation 3:3, Jesus rebukes the church at Sardis, saying, “Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.” Here Christ links being spiritually awake with being ready for His unanticipated return.
Potential Dangers of Date Setting
Attempting to set dates for Jesus’ return or other end time events can be problematic in several ways. First, it risks contradicting Jesus’ clear teaching that no one knows the day or hour. Second, if the predicted date passes without the anticipated event, it can lead to discouragement, disillusionment with God, loss of faith, or embarrassment for Christianity. This has happened numerous times throughout history.
Third, date-setting risks communicating to unbelievers that Christians do not really believe Jesus’ own words in Scripture. Fourth, it tends to reflect a desire for control, to tame the uncertainty of waiting for Christ’s return. Fifth, it can promote escapism and passivity rather than spiritual growth and wise participation in society. And finally, it distracts from Jesus’ emphasis on readiness, watchfulness, and faithful continuation in doing His will.
Examples of Date-Setting Gone Wrong
Several examples illustrate the potential hazards of attempting to set dates for the end times. In the late 15th century, some believed Columbus’ discovery of America fulfilled end times prophecies about new lands being found. During the English Civil War, the Fifth Monarchy Men predicted Christ’s return in 1666 based on their calculations. When nothing happened, it damaged their credibility.
William Miller, founder of the Seventh-day Adventist movement, predicted Christ’s return between March 21, 1843 to March 21, 1844. After nothing occured, the day became known as the “Great Disappointment.” Some still clung to other dates before eventually abandoning date-setting.
In 1914, the Jehovah’s Witnesses predicted the beginning of Christ’s invisible presence and the end of the gentile times. When World War I began, they claimed it confirmed these predictions, but their authority was weakened when their other predictions for 1918 and 1925 proved false.
In 1970, author Hal Lindsey’s bestseller The Late Great Planet Earth argued that end time prophecies were being fulfilled in current events. He suggested the rapture could occur before 1988. When it did not, the book’s premise was undermined.
In the 1980s, Edgar Whisenant published 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988. When it sold 4 million copies, it demonstrates people’s desire for certainty despite Christ’s words that no one knows the day or hour. When the rapture did not occur in 1988, Whisenant pushed his predictions to 1989 and 1993, damaging his credibility.
In 2011, Harold Camping’s media ministry Family Radio spent millions promoting the rapture on May 21, 2011 and Judgment Day on October 21, 2011. Since these dates passed uneventfully, Camping joined the ranks of failed date-setters, causing disappointment and skepticism.
How Then Should We Approach Bible Prophecy?
How then should Christians approach biblical prophecy regarding the end times in light of the unclear timing and frequent failures of date-setting? Here are a few principles to keep in mind:
1) Remain humble – We should humbly acknowledge there are aspects of God’s prophetic plan we simply cannot know with certainty or predict in advance. There is mystery involved.
2) Hold loosely – We should hold any theories about timing loosely, tentatively, and with an openness to being wrong. Prophecy should not be a source of dogmatism, but rather humility.
3) Focus on readiness – More important than knowing timing is heeding Jesus’ repeated command to stay ready, be alert, keep watch, and faithfully continue in serving Him while awaiting His return.
4) Live with expectancy – We should have an attitude of eager expectancy, believing Jesus could return at any time, while not presuming to know when.
5) Find balance – Assessing how current events relate to prophecy can be beneficial, but should be done cautiously and balanced with the realization no one knows the precise timing.
6) Test predictions – We should test all predictions against Scripture and be willing to let the Bible correct faulty interpretations. Predictions that prove false should lead to repentance.
7) Beware sensationalism – Exercise caution with overly sensational or speculative interpretations that go beyond Scripture.
8) Hold to Sola Scriptura – Prophecy should be interpreted through the lens of Scripture alone, not added external ideas imposed upon the text.
Conclusion
Attempting to use human reasoning or calculations to pinpoint the timing of Christ’s return and other end time events is unwise in light of Jesus’ clear teaching that no one knows the day or hour. Date-setting risks misrepresenting God, misleading people, and creating disillusionment. Rather, believers should humbly acknowledge the uncertainty of timing, hold positions tentatively, focus on spiritual wakefulness, and trust that God has chosen not to reveal certain details. While we eagerly await Christ’s return, we must refrain from presuming we can discern more specifics than Scripture reveals. By making readiness our priority over determining dates, we can avoid the pitfalls of date-setting while still longing expectantly for Jesus’ promised return.