Where is the Promise of His Coming?

As they say, there is an “Elephant-in-the-Room,” so lets address it!

After a 2-year long evidence surge of supporting studies of the convergence of signs and wonders all pointing to our likely Catching Away or Rapture (I Thessalonians 4:16,17, Titus 2:13, John 14:3, Matthew 24:30-31, I Corinthians 15:51-53, Philippians 3:20-21), many are asking What [didn’t] Happened?...Where is the Promise of His Coming?

As many thought Christ would return on Rosh Hashanah 2015, it did not happen.

I am sure this gives way now to all of the scoffers, alternative date setters, mid-post tribbers [I’m still firmly and Biblically in the Pre-Trib camp :)], non-believers, and those simply hostile (Romans 8:7) to the Word of God, who will go on the attack mocking all those who were sincere and diligent in their spirit lead studies, and in doing so teardown the body of Christ - some of this has already started.  This is simply playing into the hands and plan of the great deceiver, and father of lies, and was warned against by Christ “For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; …which they have practiced.”  2 Corinthians 12: 20,21 … As Watchmen our reply is found in v 19 “do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.” …So, “Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.”  Ecclesiastes 5:2, and let’s remember the calling of every Watchman “But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.” Ezekiel 33:6

Note:  I believe most Watchmen/women have been very careful to not set dates: J.D. Farag always states “I would rather say something and have nothing happen, than have something happen and have not said anything” which is really following the instructions of Ezekiel 33:6.   We have been ordained as Watchmen and if we feel the Holy Spirit giving us direction to blow the trumpet because we see the sword coming, or signs and wonders pointing to His return being near, then we need to do just that or be held accountable.  I appreciate what Watchmen like Luis Vega always states in his posts “…this study strongly suggests…” and “…This study will attempt to apply some Biblical interpretations of the possible significance…” and “…This study is only suggesting that possibly” this or that may occur.  Others of us in or posts have been careful to make statements to the effect “…this is a HIGH WATCH DATE (or period) for the Church to be Raptured…” and the like.

One thing for certain, be assured, His coming is closer now than it was yesterday, so “Encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near” Hebrews 10:25b, and make no mistake about it, All the Signs and Wonders (http://watchmansview.com/Signs_%26_Wonders_of_GOD.html and http://watchmansview.com/Blood_Moon_Tetrad.html ) are STILL pointing to His SOON return!!

So back to the Title “Where is the Promise of His Coming?”  Well, as it has ALWAYS been and will ALWAYS be, God’s Word is reliable for these matters and we should turn to Him who is and who was and who is [STILL] to come, the Almighty, for the answers (Hebrews 13:8, Revelation 1:8)

2 Peter 3:1-18 has truth, advice and edification for this question.

I.  First of all, God’s Promise Is Not Slack

“I now write to you…to stir up your pure minds by way of reminder, that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that SCOFFERS WILL COME IN THE LAST DAYS, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “WHERE IS THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation. For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, [AND HERE IS THE KEY] but [He] is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” v1-9 …that’s the reason for any continued delay!!

II.  The Coming of the Lord is Sure

I Thessalonians 4:16,17, Titus 2:13, John 14:3, Matthew 24:30-31, I Corinthians 15:51-53, Philippians 3:20-21.  God’s promises are never late.  When the Scriptures indicate a time for God’s actions, the fulfillment is always precisely on time (see Exodus 12:40-41). When Jeremiah prophesied that Judah would be expelled from the land and held captive in Babylon for 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11-12), the fulfillment of this prophecy would take place precisely at the end of 70 years.  Knowing this, Daniel prayed accordingly (Daniel 9:1-3). Likewise, the birth of the Lord Jesus came about exactly on schedule (see Daniel 9:24-27; Romans 5:6; Galatians 4:4-5; 1 Timothy 2:5-6). God is never “late;” He is always on time, but it is His Time, not ours.  However, there will always be mockers who seek to convince themselves and others that the promise of our Lord’s coming is false based upon the passage of time and the times, and compounded by certain evidences [converging signs and wonders] that He will come at a certain time, and then He who is in full control decides to delay that coming.   So let us now NOT fall asleep - "But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept” …some were awakened [still watching and waiting] for the coming of the bridegroom, and some were left behind (Matt 25:1-12).

In 2 Peter 3, the mockers are exposed, along with the folly of their denials. Peter describes the mockers of whom he warns his readers, both in terms of their lifestyle and their creed (v3:3-4). In verses 5-7 he exposes the folly of their thinking, especially as it relates to the role of the Word of God in Old Testament history and in prophecy. Peter then turns his attention to the saints in verses 8-13 - while mockers deny the Scriptures, true saints base their hope and their conduct on the promises of the Word of God.  In verses 8 and 9, Peter gives a divine perspective of time and presents a very different explanation for the apparent delay of the Lord’s return, by focusing on God’s attributes: His eternality, His omnipotence, and His mercy.

III.  From the words of Francis Shaefer “How Then Shall We Live?” v 14-18 tells us to be Diligent, be Steadfast and Grow in Knowledge of the things of Christ and don’t listen to those who are untaught and unstable.

“Therefore, beloved, LOOKING FOREWARD to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation - as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

God’s Word is and His coming is still on plan - His Plan…”Now when those things begin to happen [signs and wonders and all matter of other things pointing to our soon Harpazo], look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” Luke 21:28.  Wake-Up Church - We are in a period where Bible Prophecy is being fulfilled all around us, all of the time!

So what happened [or didn’t happen]…we were just given more time to be faithful witnesses, as the world will soon see the stark reality of Bible prophesies being fulfilled in real time before our watching eyes, so we are to “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” I Peter 3:15 .  We are to “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:2

Watchmen and Watchwomen keep on doing what you are called to do, because “If the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.” Ezekiel 33:6

We should all be aware of the reality of 2 Timothy 4:3,4 because we are in that time right now…“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” …v5 “BUT YOU BE WATCHFUL IN ALL THINGS, ENDURE AFFLICTIONS, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY.”

…and  our promise in v18 “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!”

One last thought from Revelation 3:11

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”  The Crown here is referring to the Crown of Righteousness for those who continue to watch and wait and have a love for His appearing. “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”  May it be so - Maranatha!

The “Promise of His Coming” is still absolute and assured - count on it, and be Ready!!

~ A Watchman