Predicting the Most Determinant Event

By Chaplain (Col) Stephen W. Leonard, USA, Ret.

If a man or woman were able to predict future events, they would be very wealthy indeed. As it is the very best predictor of sporting contests, for example, are barely able to break 50%. And many more bettors on those games lose lots of money by not making the correct pick.

The prophets of Bible history were guided by the Holy Spirit and were held to 100% accuracy in their predicting events of the future as their condition of being rendered a true prophet of God. False prophets were killed.

But man, in his own power, cannot perfectly know future events. Financial managers and consultants make a fine living being only “in-the-ballpark-accurate” of the current financial times and results.

But predicting devastating storms, automobile accidents, the machinations of political events, the introduction of cancer to your body, and the success or failure of ventures you undertake, are all susceptible to great predictive inaccuracies, and these events burst mostly into our lives as fully unexpected surprises.

There is one major event of history yet in the future, which truly governs the affairs of all men. Nothing else comes close! The Second Coming of Jesus Christ bringing all history to an immediate close, whether believed or denied, is the determinative event of every human life, past and present; there are no new lives after this.

The Bible is very clear that only God knows the exact time of Jesus’ return. But very interestingly the Bible says to every generation after Jesus’ First Coming that His return is “very soon!” How do we rationalize such with the fact He has not returned in the 2000 years since His resurrection and ascension, and yet His Return is still described as “very soon?”

The only explanation is that for every generation His return is as close as your own death plus a TIMELESS heaven, after death renders His return “very soon” for all who have passed before us. Yet, still, one living generation will know and experience the actual predicted event spoken of in our text. The Bible describes the event as one in which “every eye shall see Him!” This most likely includes all who have ever lived.

The Bible, as in Matthew 24, says we can know the seasons and times of His Return. So many expectant eyes of the past centuries thought their generation was the time for it. Can we know, looking at the present world and culture in which we live, that we are surely very close?

To our unknowing eyes, we truly think so. Can the world really go on much more in its present state without self-destructing? Are we ripe for the LORD’s return? The Scripture (Epistle of James) instructs you, in any case, that “the Judge is standing at the door.” His return is apparently just around the corner. As Revelation says, “Jesus is coming very soon!”

This is the warning of Scripture. It is what you and I are supposed to be thinking and living to that end. Matthew 25 teaches us one decisive thing very clearly: you are always to be prepared for the coming of the LORD. Live your life as though Jesus is coming tonight, as “a thief in the night!”

And I think, looking at our world today, that while I may not live, considering my age and health, until Jesus’ return, I will not miss it by very much. I think that at the least my grandchildren will live to see it. But then the Bible seems to indicate we will all see it, whether beyond the grave or still in time.

If a man or woman were able to predict future events, they would be very wealthy indeed. As it is the very best predictor of sporting contests, for example, are barely able to break 50%. And many more bettors on those games lose lots of money by not making the correct pick.

The prophets of Bible history were guided by the Holy Spirit and were held to 100% accuracy in their predicting events of the future as their condition of being rendered a true prophet of God. False prophets were killed.

But man, in his own power, cannot perfectly know future events. Financial managers and consultants make a fine living being only “in-the-ballpark-accurate” of the current financial times and results.

But predicting devastating storms, automobile accidents, the machinations of political events, the introduction of cancer to your body, and the success or failure of ventures you undertake, are all susceptible to great predictive inaccuracies, and these events burst mostly into our lives as fully unexpected surprises.

There is one major event of history yet in the future, which truly governs the affairs of all men. Nothing else comes close! The Second Coming of Jesus Christ bringing all history to an immediate close, whether believed or denied, is the determinative event of every human life, past and present; there are no new lives after this.

The Bible is very clear that only God knows the exact time of Jesus’ return. But very interestingly the Bible says to every generation after Jesus’ First Coming that His return is “very soon!” How do we rationalize such with the fact He has not returned in the 2000 years since His resurrection and ascension, and yet His Return is still described as “very soon?”

The only explanation is that for every generation His return is as close as your own death plus a TIMELESS heaven, after death renders His return “very soon” for all who have passed before us. Yet, still, one living generation will know and experience the actual predicted event spoken of in our text. The Bible describes the event as one in which “every eye shall see Him!” This most likely includes all who have ever lived.

The Bible, as in Matthew 24, says we can know the seasons and times of His Return. So many expectant eyes of the past centuries thought their generation was the time for it. Can we know, looking at the present world and culture in which we live, that we are surely very close?

To our unknowing eyes, we truly think so. Can the world really go on much more in its present state without self-destructing? Are we ripe for the LORD’s return? The Scripture (Epistle of James) instructs you, in any case, that “the Judge is standing at the door.” His return is apparently just around the corner. As Revelation says, “Jesus is coming very soon!”

This is the warning of Scripture. It is what you and I are supposed to be thinking and living to that end. Matthew 25 teaches us one decisive thing very clearly: you are always to be prepared for the coming of the LORD. Live your life as though Jesus is coming tonight, as “a thief in the night!”

And I think, looking at our world today, that while I may not live, considering my age and health, until Jesus’ return, I will not miss it by very much. I think that at the least my grandchildren will live to see it. But then the Bible seems to indicate we will all see it, whether beyond the grave or still in time.

Encouragement