Jesus is Coming Soon

by Ken Thomas

Jesus WAS coming soon -- in fact, on October 28, 1992 -- according to the Mission for the Coming Days Church in Korea. Some 20,000 were looking for the so-called "rapture" and had sold their property, abandoned families, quit schools and jobs, and deserted military posts. When the day passed, and the expected events failed to happen, disillusioned church members began to attack the preachers who had misled them. The church's founder is now in jail on fraud charges, having bilked followers of $4 million, and invested in bonds due to mature NEXT MAY!
Immediately before Christ's ascension some thought He would return before the death of John ( John 21:22-23). The Thessalonians believed Jesus' return was immediately at hand ( 1 Thessalonians 2:1-5), and Paul corrected the notion.

In the third and the tenth centuries, a revival of "end-time" teaching troubled thousands, many of whom gave their property away. In later centuries the Swedenborg movement, the Shakers, the Mormons, the Adventists, the Jehovah's Witnesses, and many others have spurred their growth with speculations about when the coming of Christ will happen, and what will occur.
In the 60's I received a booklet from Herbert Armstrong, 1975 in Prophecy. He later apologized on the radio for his errors of prophecy. J. F. Rutherford published Millions Now Living Will Never Die in 1920, asserting that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would in 1925 be resurrected to live on earth, but his book is no longer promoted by the Jehovah's Witnesses, for good reason. I suppose that I would have a hard time replacing my copy of Colin Deal's book, Christ Returns by 1988: 101 Reasons Why. Amazingly Hal Lindsay's writings ate still being purchased by many, despite his failed prophecies that pointed to 1981 and 1988 as the date of the "rapture" and the end of the age.
The world sees the confusion of so-called "Christianity" and laughs in scorn. The highly publicized sensational predictions make the headlines, and the world sneers. Immature believers may lose their faith over failed predictions, assuming that the Bible has failed. It is the human speculation that is in error, not the Word of God. Matthew 24:36,42 teaches that we do NOT know the time of Christ's coming. Verse 44 says He will come when he is not expected. We must be ready at any time, whether His coming is soon or late ( 1 Peter 3).

November 8, 1992

Related Articles:

What about the 1000 Year Reign? -May 29, 1991
Do We Really Want Jesus to Return? -May 06, 1990

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Jesus is Coming Soon by Ken Thomas Jesus WAS coming soon -- in fact, on October 28, 1992 -- according to the Mission for the Coming Days Church in Korea. Some 20,000 were looking for the so-called "rapture" and had sold their property, abandoned families, quit schools and jobs, and deserted military posts. When the day passed, and the expected events failed to happen, disillusioned church members began to attack the preachers who had misled them. The church's founder is now in jail on fraud charges, having bilked followers of $4 million, and invested in bonds due to mature NEXT MAY! Immediately before Christ's ascension some thought He would return before the death of John ( John 21:22-23). The Thessalonians believed Jesus' return was immediately at hand ( 1 Thessalonians 2:1-5), and Paul corrected the notion. In the third and the tenth centuries, a revival of "end-time" teaching troubled thousands, many of whom gave their property away. In later centuries the Swedenborg movement, the Shakers, the Mormons, the Adventists, the Jehovah's Witnesses, and many others have spurred their growth with speculations about when the coming of Christ will happen, and what will occur. In the 60's I received a booklet from Herbert Armstrong, 1975 in Prophecy. He later apologized on the radio for his errors of prophecy. J. F. Rutherford published Millions Now Living Will Never Die in 1920, asserting that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would in 1925 be resurrected to live on earth, but his book is no longer promoted by the Jehovah's Witnesses, for good reason. I suppose that I would have a hard time replacing my copy of Colin Deal's book, Christ Returns by 1988: 101 Reasons Why. Amazingly Hal Lindsay's writings ate still being purchased by many, despite his failed prophecies that pointed to 1981 and 1988 as the date of the "rapture" and the end of the age. The world sees the confusion of so-called "Christianity" and laughs in scorn. The highly publicized sensational predictions make the headlines, and the world sneers. Immature believers may lose their faith over failed predictions, assuming that the Bible has failed. It is the human speculation that is in error, not the Word of God. Matthew 24:36,42 teaches that we do NOT know the time of Christ's coming. Verse 44 says He will come when he is not expected. We must be ready at any time, whether His coming is soon or late ( 1 Peter 3). November 8, 1992 Related Articles: What about the 1000 Year Reign? -May 29, 1991 Do We Really Want Jesus to Return? -May 06, 1990 Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM