The Mockers

"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming?'" - 2 Peter 3:3-4

Nay-saying always stings, but hey, just as there have always been false prophets and wrong speculations, there have always been naysayers. They stood outside the ark with their nay-saying against Noah. And later crowded around various prophets and people trying to follow God--doing the same thing again. John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter, Paul, Wilberforce, Bonhoeffer--all had their naysayers.

Hopefully won't start a fight with this, because I certainly don't want to, but could I ask for respect when people discuss? Disagree, yes, but why mock and attack with sarcasm? Can't we discuss? Maybe when people actually listen they can then learn.

Now, to the point: this may sound like a cop out, but the reason predictions of Christ's second coming have always failed is because they were always based on false assumptions. Eventually they will be based on correct assumptions and then it will happen. Historically, the EXACT same thing played out before Christ's first coming, which was also prophesied. There were many false assumptions, false predictions, false prophets, and even counterfeit messiah's. That is until the predictions were correct. That generation also had its naysayers.

Personally, I don't think we can know the exact day or hour of Jesus' coming (Rapture), but can we know the season, or perhaps year? The Essenes and also the magi/wise men from Babylon were able to glean from the signs and Scriptures that the coming of Messiah was right at the door. And they were right.

Just an addendum: I don't think it is good theology to always run to Matthew 24:36 as the be-all-end-all of eschatology debate. Anyone decently familiar with the Bible can tell you that the Gospels and Epistles are FILLED with admonishments to BE WATCHFUL.

Even right after the "no man knows" statement, Jesus follows up with a parable about BEING WATCHFUL, so that YOU WILL KNOW at what time the thief is coming to your house. He blasts the Pharisees because they can predict the weather, but couldn't put together the signs to see his coming.

Can you know?

Now we have Israel reestablished after nearly 2,000 years, the Jews largely regathered AGAIN (as numerous Biblical passage said would happen), globalization rapidly occurring as Revelation indicates would happen, and Christians want to stick their heads in the sand?

MATTHEW 25:1-13 NIV:

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep“ (vs.1-5).

“At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 'No, 'they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut“ (vs.6-10).

“Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' But he replied, ' I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.' Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour wherein the Son of man comes“ (vs.11-13).

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