But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.*1
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” *2
The Word of God is clear in saying that no one knows when the great day of the Lord will be, not even the angels in heaven. But what we can be sure of is that Jesus is coming soon because the signs He left of His soon return are being fulfilled.
Moreover, the reason we were given signs of His prompt return is because we don’t know the date. But such signs serve as a warning to all that we must be prepared. We must live as if the Lord would come today, rather than worrying about a specific date.
The servant of the Lord speaks about the dangers of setting dates.
The definite time of our Lord's coming is declared to be beyond the ken of mortals. Even the angels who minister unto those who shall be heirs of salvation know not the day nor the hour.*3
Because the times repeatedly set have passed, the world is in a more decided state of unbelief than before in regard to the near advent of Christ. They look upon the failures of the time setters with disgust; and because men have been so deceived, they turn from the truth substantiated by the word of God that the end of all things is at hand.*3
Those who so presumptuously preach definite time, in so doing gratify the adversary of souls; for they are advancing infidelity rather than Christianity. They produce Scripture and by false interpretation show a chain of argument which apparently proves their position. But their failures show that they are false prophets, that they do not rightly interpret the language of inspiration. The word of God is truth and verity, but men have perverted its meaning. These errors have brought the truth of God for these last days into disrepute. *3
Those who think they must preach definite time in order to make an impression upon the people do not work from the right standpoint. The feelings of the people may be stirred and their fears aroused, but they do not move from principle. An excitement is created; but when the time passes, as it has done repeatedly, those who moved out upon time fall back into coldness, darkness, and sin, and it is almost impossible to arouse their consciences without some great excitement. *3
Not knowing the exact date does not mean we should stop preaching that Christ is coming!
The signs foretold in prophecy are fast fulfilling around us. This should arouse every true follower of Christ to zealous action.*3
In Noah's day the inhabitants of the old world laughed to scorn what they termed the superstitious fears and forebodings of the preacher of righteousness. He was denounced as a visionary character, a fanatic, an alarmist. "As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man." Men will reject the solemn message of warning in our day, as they did in Noah's time. They will refer to those false teachers who have predicted the event and set the definite time, and will say that they have no more faith in our warning than in theirs. This is the attitude of the world today. Unbelief is widespread, and the preaching of Christ's coming is mocked at and derided.*3
These words of Christ should sink into the hearts of all who believe present truth: "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." Our danger is presented before us by Christ Himself. He knew the perils we should meet in these last days, and would have us prepare for them. "As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man." They were eating and drinking, planting and building, marrying and giving in marriage, and knew not until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the Flood came and swept them all away.*3
The day of God will find men absorbed in like manner in the business and pleasures of the world, in feasting and gluttony, and in indulging perverted appetite in the defiling use of liquor and the narcotic tobacco. This is already the condition of our world, and these indulgences are found even among God's professed people, some of whom are following the customs and partaking of the sins of the world. Lawyers, mechanics, farmers, traders, and even ministers from the pulpit are crying, "Peace and safety," when destruction is fast coming upon them.*3
It is our duty to warn the world that Christ is at hand. The signs are fulfilling and the door of grace is closing. Interestingly the 10 virgins were asleep but 5 of them had made provisions in case the groom delayed. Apparently, the Lord has delayed his promise but we cannot stop, even for a moment, preaching with conviction and strength:
JESUS IS COMING, AMEN, YES, COME LORD JESUS!
1 * Matthew 24:36
2 * Mark 13:32-37
3 * Testimonies For The Church Volume 4, "Chapter 26. Preparation For Christ’s Coming”, Ellen G. White
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