Of That Day And Hour Knoweth No Man

It Is Not For You To Know The Times Or The Seasons
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I. The Truth of Scripture Regarding Human Knowledge Concerning the Time of the Second Advent of Christ

A. The Doctrine of Jesus Christ in the Gospels:

Matthew 24:36 - But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

[Parallel Passage: Mark 13:32 - But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.]

Matthew 24:42 - Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Matthew 24:44 - Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 24:50 - The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

Matthew 25:13 - Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

B. The Teaching of the Prophet Zechariah:

Zechariah 14:7 - But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.

C. The Teachings of the Angels and the Apostles in the New Testament:

Acts 1:7 - And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 – [1] But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. [2] For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

2 Peter 3:10 - But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  
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II. The Biblical Condemnation of False Prophets and False Teachers

A. In the Pauline Epistles:

The Teaching of Error Regarding the Fulfillment of Prophecy is to be Shunned, and False Teachers are to be Delivered to Satan to Learn not to Blaspheme

2 Timothy 2:14-19 – [14] Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. [15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. [17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; [18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. [19] Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

1 Timothy 1:19-20 – [19] Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: [20] Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

B. In the Mosaic Law:

False Prophecy is Condemned and False Prophets are to be Punished with the Death Penalty According to the Law of Moses

Deut. 13:1-5 – [1] If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, [2] And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; [3] Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. [4] Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. [5] And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the Lord thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.

Deut. 18:20-22 – [20] But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. [21] And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? [22] When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
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III. Scriptural Conclusions Concerning the Proper Response of Christians to False Prophets and False Teachers

The setting of dates and other false teachings regarding the fulfillment of prophecy is no light matter. It is a very serious error. This is not something to be taken lightly. It is not interesting, it is fatal.

False prophets and false teachers are to be shunned. Do no listen to them.

There is nothing to debate. There is nothing to discuss. There is no debate or discussion about adultery or drunkenness, and none should be entertained about false prophets and false teachers.

Shun them. Shut them off. Never listen to them again. Under Old Testament Law they would be put to death. Consider them as dead, as delivered up to Satan for blasphemous pronouncements in the Name of God.

Those who have been taken in by their deception may be appealed to that they may repent and be delivered from the false teaching. However, if and when they attempt to propagate or disseminate the false teaching they themselves come under the same indictment as the false teacher or false prophet, and must be shunned as well.

This includes, for example, but is not limited to the following: Harold Camping, Jack Van Impe, and their promoters.

Sola Scriptura, Soli Deo Gloria,

John T. “Jack” Jeffery
Pastor, Wayside Gospel Chapel
Greentown, Pennsylvania

May 23, 2011