NOTE: When writing about God and Jesus, The Daily Jot means YHVH as God and Yeshua Ha Mashiach as Jesus–the actual original names and the true nature and character of them.
Monday, September 25, 2017
In the past several weeks, predictions of the end of the world have been coming into my inbox. Several Christians were predicting the Rapture and others were talking about a planet colliding with the earth, ending it all. The specific date for some was Saturday, September 23. Since we are all still here, some are moving that date to September 29. Certainly, these predictions and many like them are a lot like what Jesus said in Matthew 24:11, “And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many.” The “many” are deceived because they are relying on man’s interpretation of isolated scriptures rather than making the effort to read and study the Bible in its context.
Fact is, if people read their scriptures in context, they would have a good idea of what to expect regarding the prophetic future. Unfortunately, there are many, many false teachers who take verses out of context to support their theories. Also unfortunate is that many are well-respected for these falsehoods. These same false teachers come up with excuse after excuse about why what they predicted didn’t happen. Many times they use a convoluted and completely out of context “Bible” study to explain why they missed the mark, and to predict the next event, which doesn’t happen either. People will believe them and all will go on until the next time. And the cycle will start all over again.
It is always best to go to your Bible and read the context about these contemporary predictions. By context, I mean ALL the verses related to the event-not single verses that can be twisted to fit the imagination, but the chapters before them and after them, and what the Biblical prophets said in them. For example, In Matthew 24, Jesus, responding to his disciples’ direct question about his return and the end of the age, gives the most complete step-by-step chronology of the events that will occur in the end of times. His explanation is supported in Daniel, Revelation, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel, Ezekiel and others. Putting specific dates on the Rapture or on the end of the world makes a liar-of either the Holy Scriptures or those making the false predictions. The Holy Scriptures are not lies.
Ephesians 4:14 exhorts, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” We don’t want to be that person who is just seeking the latest craze in Christianity. We want to be grounded in the Word of God and have understanding that we may edify others and provide truth in love. Let’s not fall for the extra-Biblical seducers. Let us seek the Lord with all of our heart having understanding of his Word and Holy Spirit discernment that we might not be led astray, and that we may provide proof of our testimony to others.
