Candlelight Service

12/19/2021

19th Century saw its share of wave after wave of enthusiasm for prophecies that predicted the actual date of Christ’s Second Coming.

But the predictions didn’t begin in those years, but centuries earlier. During the great plague of Europe (1348-1352), prophets said the end was at hand and that Christ would appear within 10 years.

The RCC has often figured in end-time scenarios:

999 AD many Europeans gave their possessions to RCC to prepare their souls for the expected end of the world Jan 1, 1000. The priests carefully recorded every donation and refused to give back when Christ did not return.

1669—Old Believers in Russia predicted the return, when it didn’t happen, 20,000 burned themselves to death in the period of 1690 to protect themselves from the coming of the Antichrist.

1806—at Leeds, a hen laid eggs bearing the words “Christ is coming.” Many visited the spot and “got religion.” Then someone discovered that the ink-inscribed eggs had been forced up into the chicken’s body.

John Wesley said the end would come in 1836. Others suggested 1830 and 1847.

One Adventist prophet William Miller expected the return of Christ on March 21, 1842. He then revised the date to April 3, 1843. 3500 followers jammed Boston Advent Temple only to leave disappointed. The movement didn’t die but grew (7th Day Adventists find roots). Miller recalculated his date and publicized April 18, 1844 as the new date. Messiah didn’t show up then and there was frustration among some followers. Miller came up with one more date October 22, 1844. He published it in “True Midnight Cry” and it rallied his followers.

They began to spread the news of the date with enthusiasm. Churches which did not accept the date were denounced as agents of Babylon and the devil.

Despite opposition from mainline groups,1000s of people including clergy began to defect to the Millerite cult. As doomsday approached the followers began to prepare. One account said fields were left unharvested, shops were closed, people quit their jobs and paid their debts, freely gave away their possessions with no thought of repayment. Huge press runs announced “The Time Is Short” “Prepare to Meet Thy God!” “The Lord is Coming.” Miller began peddling white robes and his followers waited in freshly dug graves.

But those aren’t the only predictions that have obviously failed. Charles Taze Russell (JW) said Christ would return in 1874 and begin His visible reign in 1914. But more contemporary—Edgar C. Whisenant “88 Reasons Why the Rapture will Be in 1988.” When Christ didn’t show up he amended it for 1989. One book from Georgia placed the rapture on Oct 8, 1992 at 12:55 p.m. EDT

1993 (2000 was end of 6000 yr cycle + 7 years for Trib)

1994 Harold Camping’s book “Are You Ready” Sept 94.

1996 Psychic from CA Sheldon Nidle would come with convergence of 16 million space ships and host of angles 12-17-96 (He said the angels put us in a halographic projection to preserve us and give us 2nd chance)

1997 Stan Johnson (Prophecy Club) gave “90 percent chance” that Trib starts 9-12-97.

1998 50th b-day of Israel had many pundits thinking that was the year.

2011, 12-21-12, 2060-Isaac Newton spent 50 yrs and wrote 4500 pages trying to predict end of world. He set the date.

Yet in the midst of all of these and many more predictions of the Lord’s return, you might ask yourself how can someone be drawn so quickly to such blatant false teaching when the Lord Himself says:

Mark 13:32 "But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 33 "Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is.

You might be asking what these things have to do with Christmas. Really nothing other than the advent of L.J.C. is the anticipation of the 2nd coming of Christ. So this time should cause us to look back 2000 yrs but also forward.

As I reflect on these predictions that have embarrassingly failed, I found myself drawn to 3 themes in

Mark 13:24–37 NASB95

“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. “And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven. “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. “Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. “It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. “Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. “What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’ ”

I. Christ is coming again

This is something special to look forward to (vv26-27)

Scripture is replete with references to His second coming:

John 14:1–3 NASB95

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

In fact, the gospels include entire chapters of this truth (Matt 24-25; Luke 21)

Our Christian hope is centered around the promise of God that Christ will come again. And when He does He will usher in the Millennial Kingdom and ultimately the new heavens & earth (Rev 21-22).

Our lives should be an advent year round as we anticipate the coming of our Lord.

2nd theme in Mk 13

II. God has work for us to do on earth

While we anticipate Christ’s return, while we remain on earth, there is still much work yet to be done. In James we are called to manifest/show evidence of our faith in good works (Not salvation) but live our Christian life in our community. We’re to love our neighbors as ourselves. We’re to reach the entire world with the good news of Christ.

In Mk Jesus had this to say about the time/event leading up to His arrival—Mk 13:34-36 ““It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. “Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep.”

The church is the instrument of God by which His purpose of reaching humanity with His grace will be carried out. You’ll remember “Great Commission” (Mt 28:18-19 “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” ).

Our world is fascinated by astrology/horoscopes/predictions of future events. Yet many will never turn to the only reliable source of truth—God’s Word. They will never come to understanding of the light of the glory of J.C. So they remain in darkness as the world has been—since the fall of man.

While we know that J.C. is going to come we must be busy with God’s work here on earth.

Martin Luther once said even if He knew Christ was going to return tomorrow, he would still plant an apple tree.

As Jesus ascended into heaven—the disciples were left in a quandary and stood gazing into the sky. 2 angels were sent to remind them of the mission at hand in

Acts 1:10–11 NASB95

And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

III. Be Alert

God wants us to become students of Scripture. Much like the Bereans Acts 17:11

Acts 17:11 NASB95

Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

Examine everything from Scripture. This is important so that we cannot be led astray by false teachers much like those 150 years ago were led into the Millerite cult.

The coming of J.C. is a call to watch & be ready for our Lord’s coming. Parable of 10 virgins:

Matthew 25:1–13 NASB95

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. “Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. “For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. “Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. “But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ “Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. “The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ “But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ “And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. “Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ “But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

To be on the alert we must:

Know that J.C. will return in all His glory and that we are living in a time of Advent (anticipation of His arrival)

If J.C were to return tonight, would He be ashamed to find out what you are doing? Live as if He is coming today—b/c He might! (Imminence)

Jesus calls us to be on guard—against the rising tide of false teaching that infiltrates the church and destroys the faith—

Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Jesus says he is the light of the world. He told his disciples you are the light of the world and that a city set on a hill cannot be hidden. As we anticipate the return of LJC Let us commit ourselves to going forth with the light of the gospel.