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But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. -Matthew‬ ‭24:36‬ ‭(NIV)

Some say that September 23, 2015 (or thereabouts) will be the Second Coming of Christ. The basis of this prediction is tied to ancient Jewish cultures and idioms, which are not explained in the bible, because they would be understood to readers of the time.

I wrote and published this post in advance of the date. It’s a long explanation, but basically:

  • the “hour no one knows” was a commonly known idiom of the time regarding the Feast of Trumpets,
  • the bible is basically a love story about a Father looking for a bride for His Son, and
  • that His Son’s Second Coming is the culmination of the ultimate Jewish wedding.

There are then many cultural and idiomatic connections to phrases modern readers take at face value, like Jesus coming as a “thief in the night,” which is a Hebraic reference to how a high priest would set the garments of sleeping guards on fire.

This really intrigued me when I read some of these websites, because I have long (well, relative to my short time as a baby Christian) wondered how much cultural context modern readers were missing when reading texts that have been translated so many times.

So do we need pack our spiritual bags?!?

My take on these predictions is this, fellow Christ follower: we should always be alert and ready for Christ’s triumphant return!

I don’t care whether the predictions are right on the money, or if they’re not. We are to live every moment for Christ anyway, and if it helps to remember that He could return at any time (as most of us interpret Scripture), so be it.

Let us live for the One who gave His life so we may have life everlasting in His presence! No matter when it happens, true believer, I can’t wait for us to meet again on the other side!