It takes a special brand of pride—or deception—to claim you know when Jesus is coming back. But that doesn’t stop the Second Coming predictors from stirring the pot.
According to the United Kingdom’s Express, “Christians believe the upcoming super blue blood moon which will dazzle the skies [on January 31,] along with the supermoon that kicked off the year on January 1, are signs from God that 2018 will be a ‘biblical’ year, as it also marks the 70th anniversary of the birth of Israel.”
OK, that’s one thing. But Unsealed.org takes it a step further:
“If the Great American Eclipse was the darkened sun piece of the puzzle, perhaps this blood moon is the missing piece, which could mean the Day of the LORD begins soon, perhaps even this year. What makes this Super-Blue-Blood Moon even more amazing is that approximately two-thirds of the world's population will be able to see some or all of the total phase of the eclipse.
“This rare trifecta event is happening just six to seven weeks before the 70th biblical year since Israel's rebirth begins (March 17th, 18th, or 20th, depending on different interpretations of the biblical calendar). March 1948 witnessed the beginning of the year in which the Jewish people declared their independence and the State of Israel was born. We are just weeks away from the 70th year since that pivotal time.”
These reports don’t go so far as to predict Christ’s Second coming. They merely outline dates and times and facts and history. But make no mistake—we’ll see the spiritual speculators rise up to distract us from what really matters.
Yes, we should recognize the signs of the times. Yes, we should live like there’s no tomorrow, spreading the gospel and raising up disciples with signs and wonders following. But the Second Coming debate can be a massive distraction and can actually paralyze the saints from fulfilling the Great Commission.
In the context of the last of the last days, Jesus said, “Listen, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert,’ do not go there; or, ‘Look, He is in the private chambers,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:25-27).
Remember, Jesus Himself said plainly, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” (Matt. 24:36). How much clearer can He get? If the angels don’t know and the Son doesn’t know, who are these false prophets to work up formulas and fiction to drive traffic to their website so they can collect advertising dollars?
As I’ve said before, we can debate until Jesus comes back about the tribulation and other end-time events. Ultimately, the most important thing is Jesus is coming back. And we still have a lot of work to do.
