christ_return1 Before I give you that answer, let me remind you of people who’ve made that prediction… and were wrong.  

  In the Second Century Montanous proclaimed New Jerusalem was about to appear.  In the Third Century Novation gathered many to await the Second Coming.  In the Fourth Century Donatus proclaimed 144,000 specially chosen believers were to usher in the Kingdom.  In the Fifth Century the destruction of Rome by the Vandals was the definitive event that would bring about Jesus’ return.

On the last day in 999, the old basilica of St. Peter was filled with people waiting the end of the world.  They had given land and possessions to the poor to ensure God’s favor.  The same thing happened again in 1100, 1200, and 1245.  During the 1300s many Christians believed the Black Death was the event indicating the immediate return of Christ.

The Hundred Years War (14th to 15th Century) was supposed to be the Armageddon of Revelation.  In the 16th Century Martin Luther believed the Pope was the Antichrist and the return of Christ would take place in the immediate future.  Just like with the Hundred Years War, people believed The French Revolution, The American Revolution, The Civil War, WWI, WWII, The Six Day War, and the Yom Kippur War would bring about the return of Christ.

The last few decades are no different!  In 1976 Hal Lindsey wrote “Terminal Generation” in which he stated this generation was THE one that would witnes the return of christ.  Reginal Duncan predicted in 1979 that a Russian invasion of America would bring about the millennial reign of christ.  Michael Dall in “The Midnight Cry” predicted the events of Revelation would come to pass in 1980.

Emil Gatherlock predicted the rapture would take place in 1981Collen Deal published “Christ Returns by 1988” and identified a computer in Europe called “The Beast” as the Beast of Revelation 13.  Edgar Wisenhunt published “88 Reasons Why Christ Will Return in 1988.”  In 1989 he published “The final Shout: Rapture Report 1989.”  Charles Taylor wrote in “Bible Prophecy News” that Christ would return in 1992Harold Camping predicted Christ would return in 1994Grant Jeffrey predicted the year would be 2000.

And they have all been wrong…

For centuries Christians have made the mistake of setting dates and making fantastic claims about the return of Christ.  As a result… the message about Christ’s return has become ignored by many.

Now for my answer as to when Christ will return…

   Matthew 24:9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.  10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.  13  But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. 

   Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Seems pretty clear to me… what about you?