And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (KJV)
I’ve witnessed many supposed movements of God over the years, having committed my life to the Lord toward the end of the “Jesus Movement” in 1977. Back then, young Christians used to carry their Bibles everywhere and weren’t afraid to share their faith; few were hung up on doctrinal differences.
As with any true movement of the Lord, the people renewed by it will grow and move on and God will do something else to reach His lost sheep of that day. I believe that the Jesus Movement was for the lost and discarded youth of the 1960s and 1970s, a time when young people were questioning and rejecting much of what they had been taught.
20 years ago, the church was abuzz as some believers insisted that the Lord’s return was to take place with one book, 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Could Be in 1988, offering evidence of the Lord’s soon return. When nothing happened, the author wrote a new book – The Final Shout–Rapture Report 1989 — which was subsequently updated in 1990, 1991, and beyond.
Jesus’ disciples were elated that their risen King was with them for 40 days after His resurrection, but that time with Him soon passed on. Jesus reassured His followers that He would return for them, with many thinking that His return would occur while they were still alive.
For nearly two thousand years, the Church of Jesus Christ has been waiting for His return with most believers realizing that He could come at any moment. I have my thoughts when His return could happen, but I have changed my mind several times over the years. Instead of being date obsessed, I find that it is much more profitable to do His work and leave the time of His return in His hands.
I would rather be caught up working for the Lord then sitting around speculating when He will return. There is no profit in endless date setting especially when Our Lord has commanded us to do otherwise.
