Will Jesus Return in 2017?
And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. Daniel 8:19
It is very clear from the Scriptures that the Lord is coming back “at the day appointed.” In other words, He is coming back at a day and hour already fore-ordained. We see this in the prophetic story of the harlot in the book ofProverbs:
For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. Proverbs 7:19-20
I sincerely believe that day is fast approaching and is preceded by the rapture seven years earlier. Some of the brethren are looking at a possible date for the rapture in 2017. The excitement is coming from internet videos promoting what is being called, “The Revelation 12 Sign.” The brethren behind these videos are claiming a computer software program called “Stellarium” reveals the events of Revelation 12:1-5 taking place in the sky on September 23, 2017 in the constellations Leo and Virgo. They are claiming the moon will be at the feet of Virgo and the sun at her head with a crown of twelve stars in the constellation Leo. They tell us the planet Jupiter will be in the womb of Virgo for nine months and come out between her legs on September 23rd. There is more to it, but that is a brief summary.
Revelation 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
I am a student of Bible Prophecy and not an expert on astronomy, but please allow me to very kindly share a few ofmy thoughts.
If the computer program is correct about this alignment, and it most likely is, I do find the event quite interesting in light of this Scripture:
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Psalm 19:1
Just as with the blood moons, I believe the alignment in the sky on 9-23-17 also has meaning for the saints. I seldom believe in “coincidence.” However, I take issue with the assumptions being made by some of the brethren promoting it. I believe they are sincere and honest men and I believe this alignment does in fact “declare the glory of God,” but I question some oftheir conclusions. For instance, since most stars are not visible when the sun appears on the horizon, “The Revelation 12 Sign” as they call it, will not be visible on earth and will only be “seen” via a computer program. It is a very interesting event but be very careful about making this your main focus of Bible Prophecy. Another red flag is that it is impossible for a Bible believer to “Prove all things” when it comes to this event in the sky. We are left to trust the accuracy of a computer software program that could be in error. Again, just advising caution here. My greatest concern is that they interpret the “man child” as the church in Revelation 12:5. Because of this, many are claiming that the rapture will take place on 9-23-17. I believe the interpretation of the “man child” in Revelation 12:5 is the Messiah and was fulfilled at the ascension in Acts 1:9. Notice in Revelation 12:1-5 above that the Woman is Israel and the Dragon is Satan. We see in Revelation 12:4 that the Dragon (Satan) is waiting to devour the child as soon as Israel (the woman) delivers it. In verse 5, Israel in fact delivers the man child who “…was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.” Though the saints are going to rule and reign with Christ, never is it said that we will rule with a rod of iron. There can be no doubt that the man child is Jesus who was “caught up” to the throne in Acts 1:9. Revelation 12:6-17 jumps all the way to the second half of the 70th week called “The Great Tribulation.” or “The time of Jacob’s trouble.” This is where it all begins for Israel as explained in Matthew 24 and Daniel 9.
This is explained in great detail in my REVELATION STUDY GUIDE that you can order from my website or from the PITN book store.
Is the Lord coming back in 2017? Though we should know the return of the Lord is near, Scripture teaches it is unwise to claim to know the exact time and date. I believe we are in the last days upon the earth and that the coming of the Lord is soon. I thank the Lord for the men who discovered the “Revelation 12 Sign” in the sky. I think it is there for a reason. I believe the Lord has used these men even though I may not agree with some of the conclusions they propose. It certainly appears to be a relevant event in these last days and has got a lot of folks looking up!
Let me encourage you with several reasons why I believe we are the FINAL GENERATION.
1. In our generation it is possible for one man to effectively rule the whole world.
Through the technology of computers, satellites, phones, and speed of travel, one man could actually rule the whole world today. We know Antichrist will be crowned to rule the world after we are gone. Never before has a generation been capable of these things like it is in our day.
2. In our generation man now has the ability to destroy the world.
Scripture makes it clear that during the seven-year Tribulation, the world has the ability to destroy itself.
And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh
should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath
chosen, he hath shortened the days. Mark 13:20
America has bombs that are so powerful they have not even been tested! One nuclear submarine today has more fire power than all the bombs dropped in WWII by BOTH sides! Let that sink in for a minute. Never before has a generation had such a destructive capability.
3. We are the generation of unlimited knowledge and travel. (Daniel 12:4) But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
It is frightening when you consider the increase of knowledge since the computer came about. In addition, every year they are smarter, faster, and easier to use. And now they are more portable than ever. Just look around next time you go out in public, everyone is looking down at a hand held device and are connected globally to the world by way of a smart phone. These are developments that will be necessary for the Antichrist when he takes over the world. Add to that the ability to travel the world at supersonic speeds. The truth is, a person no longer has to physically travel any more. By way of the internet you can travel just about anywhere in the world.
4. Our generation fit’s the description of the last days.
(2 Timothy 3:1-5) This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Just take a look at that description by Paul of how things will be in the final generation. Tell me that isn’t the world in 2017?
5. Our Generation has witnessed the budding of the fig tree, the rebirth of the nation of Israel.
Israel is the only nation in history that lost its statehood and then gained it back. Israel had not been a sovereign nation since 605 B.C. when Babylon invaded their land. The following Scripture is a reference to Israel:
(Matthew 24:32-34) Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Israel resumed statehood in May of 1948. It is my belief that the “budding of the fig tree” was not complete until Israel got Jerusalem in the Six-Day War in 1967. I believe the fig tree took root in 1948 and budded in 1967.
Let me give you three things about Israel that need to be in place at the rapture.
1. Israel must be in their land.
2. Israel must be seeking peace.
3. Israel must be ready for the temple.
(2 Thessalonians 2:1-4) (Daniel 9:27) (Revelation 6:1-2)
Brethren, men of the prior generation saw it and wrote about it, but it was fulfilled in our generation. Israel is in their land. They are in desperate need of peace. They will resume the temple worship either right before or right after the Antichrist comes on the scene.
Look up fellow Christian, our “redemption draweth nigh!” Jesus is coming soon. We fit the description of that last and final generation upon the earth when Messiah comes for us. The spiritual and moral conditions are here. The one-world system is here. The whole world “groaneth in travail” awaiting the redemption that is to come.
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Revelation 22:20