Perhaps some readers here have heard of the latest “prophecy” claim being made regarding the Second Coming of Christ. Some are predicting it to happen on September 23, 2017. Geoffrey Grider over at “Now The End Begins” blog explains quite well (via Scripture) why such a prediction is false and cannot possibly happen.
Excerpt:
In order for September 23rd to “usher in the Second Coming,” you would have to cram into the next five (now, two days) days the Rapture of the Church, the rise of Antichrist, the Mark of the Beast and all other events of the 3.5 years of the time of Jacob’s trouble, otherwise known as The Great Tribulation. Chances of all of that happening in the next 5 days (now, 2 days)? Absolutely zero.
I read on another website that a “Christian numerologist” joined the bandwagon making a similar “prediction.”
I can see why people are panicked due to all of the hurricanes happening in a row over the past few weeks which are causing much devastation. We also have seen the earthquake that happened in Mexico. However, Jesus told us that such events would only be the “birth pangs.”
Rom 8:22
For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
Reading the entire chapter of Romans 8 can help soothe our fears, especially the last two verses:
Rom 8:38
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
Rom 8:39
nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It really helps to read, study, and know what the Bible teaches in order to not get caught up in false assumptions, false rhetoric, false pride, or false prophecy given by those who may just be in it for attention or to sell their books.
Habbakuk 2 speaks about the proud being rebuked and informs us:
Hab 2:3
For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.Hab 2:4
“Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith.
David Guzik’s commentary of this portion of Scripture is really good!
Here are a few excerpts that spoke of the time of Habbukuk, but also see if you agree with me that this speaks towards our world today!
b. For the vision is yet for an appointed time: Habakkuk spoke to an age beyond his own. The Babylonian conquest would not be evident in his own day, but in the future.
2. (Hab 2:4-8) God knows how to deal with the proud.
a. Behold the proud: Habakkuk wondered why Babylon – a nation even more sinful than Judah – would be used to bring judgment to Judah. In answering the prophet, God first assures him that He sees the proud, and knows that his soul is not upright in him.
i. Pride is everywhere and takes all manner of shapes.
– Here is the rich man, proud of what he has
– There is the poor man, proud of his “honor” in having less
– Here is the talented man, proud of what he can do
– There is the man of few talents, proud of his hard work
– Here is the religious man, proud of his religion
– There is the unbeliever, proud of his unbelief
– Here is the establishment man, proud of his place in society
– There is the counter-cultural man, proud of his “outcast” status
– Here is the learned man, proud of his intelligence and learning
– Here is the simple man, proud of his simplicity
Now, think about those who are involved in identity/racial/grievance crowd politics. Can you see that pride is one of the main culprits that is being used to divide our nation, our people, and our government?
ii. “If there is a sin that is universal, it is this. Where is it not to be found? Hunt among the highest and loftiest in the world, and you shall find it there; and then go and search amongst the poorest and the most miserable, and you shall find it there. There may be as much pride inside a beggar’s rags as in a prince’s robe; and a harlot may be as proud as a model of chastity. Pride is a strange creature; it never objects to its lodgings. It will live comfortably enough in a palace, and it will live equally at its ease in a hovel. Is there any man in whose heart pride does not lurk?” (Spurgeon)
Guzik goes even further:
iv. “Wherever pride is found, it is always hateful to God.
The list of those utilizing “pride” (above) demonstrates how and why so many of the evils of our time are being perpetrated by those who adhere to such tactics; and how it negatively affects us all! Not only is pride “always hateful to God,” it is also hateful to man.
Why! pride is even hateful to men. Men cannot bear a proud man; and hence it is that a proud man, who has any sense left, often sees that it is so, and he therefore tries to affect manners of modesty. He will seem to be humble, when he really is not, if he has the suspicion that all about him will dislike him if they know him to be proud. But God cannot bear pride; it is a part of his daily business to put down the proud.” (Spurgeon)
So…what is the antidote to pride which is hateful to God and man?
b. But the just shall live by his faith: In contrast to the proud, there are the just. The principle of their life is faith, instead of pride that looks to self. True faith looks outside of self unto the LORD God, while pride always looks to self.
That last sentence deserves to be repeated:
True faith looks outside of self unto the LORD God, while pride always looks to self.
i. This brief statement from the prophet Habakkuk is one of the most important, and most quoted Old Testament statements in the New Testament. Paul used it to show that the just live by faith, not by law. Being under the law isn’t the way to be found just before God, only living by faith is.
ii. If you are declared just -that is, approved – before God, you have done it by a relationship of faith. If your life is all about living under the law, then God does not find you approved.
iii. In Hebrew, the important part of the verse has only three words: “the justified man,” “by his faith,” and “will live.” Every word in Habakkuk 2:4 is important, and the Lord quotes it three times in the New Testament just to bring out the fullness of the meaning
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– Romans 1:17 is the commentary on the justified man – “The just shall live by faith”
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– Hebrews 10:38 is the commentary on faith – “The just shall live by faith“
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– Galatians 3:11 is the commentary on the Christian life – “The just shall live by faith”
The just shall live by faith!
Whenever someone makes a dated prediction about the end of the world, it will do readers good to recall what Jesus Christ said to his disciples (and, to all of us!):
Mat 24:3
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Mat 24:4
And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.
Mat 24:5
“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
Mat 24:6
“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all[fn] these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7
“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences,[fn] and earthquakes in various places
Mat 24:8
“All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mat 24:9
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.
Mat 24:10
“And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another
Mat 24:11
“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
Mat 24:12
“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
Mat 24:13
“But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Mat 24:14
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.
I suggest reading Matthew 24 in its entirety! The words of Jesus Christ are faithful and true and can be trusted!
Hat tip: Blue Letter Bible and David Guzik Study Guide on Habbukuk 2
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