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DATE SETTERS NEED TO REPENT
by Alan Yusko

What is a date setter? This is a person who claims to have figured out the exact day of the rapture.

The latest bit of ear tickling false teaching to grace Christians involves date setting of the rapture. The date setters make a claim that the rapture will happen on a certain date. To back up their claims they use the Bible code system and various numerical models that someone with a calculator 'thought up'.

I'm writing this on September 7, 1999 which is just before a major date setting period. The date setters have loudly proclaimed the rapture may very well occur on September 11,1999.

By using the ear tickling Bible codes some have cranked out the date of September 11, 1999. Also others have taken their calculators and concluded that on September 11, 1999 we will reach the end of the 6000 years since creation. Plus, there is a Jewish feast on September 11 that adds weight to their date setting. So the date setters gather all their evidence and then present their case of a rapture on September 11, 1999. Some date setters are very committed to this date. They boldly state the rapture will occur at that time. Others have less committment. They say that there is a strong probability of the rapture, but if not they will keep looking upward. Some date setters are even beginning to attack those who would dare to say date setting is wrong. They take the verse that talks about non-Christians 'scoffing' at the return of Jesus and apply it to those who disagree with their date setting.

The date setters all look at the following verse and say it does not apply to Christians (or them):

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

The arguments goes something like this: That is for unbelievers, or the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth, or God never does anything unless he first reveals it to his servants. Therefore, they conclude, that the rapture may very well occur on September 11, 1999. By these arguments they basically state that Matthew 24:36 does not apply and that we can know the date of the rapture. This is not new stuff. All the previous date setters which have been proven wrong, have rejected Matthew 24:36.

Is this rightly dividing the Word of Truth? Is this being a good steward of God's precious Word? No, I don't think so!

2 Tim 2
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

I claim that all the date setters are wrongly dividing the Word of God. All their hype and date settings will be proven wrong on September 12, 1999. (after the set date).

DATE SETTERS REPENT

Obviously the date setters will not repent before God until they see their theory is wrong on September 12, 1999. However by date setting they have sinned against God and they have done damage to the Church. Lets look at the damage done:

1) On September 12, 1999 the unbelievers will have more fuel to mock with against those 'foolish' Bible believers. Many non-Christians already think very little of God and the Bible. With Christians setting dates and watching them NOT come to pass, the non-Christian has fuel to mock God, His Word, and His people.

2) Many Christians could easily get caught up in the latest round of date setting. After the date comes and goes some will be sad, depressed, and left with a feeling of discouragement. Some Christians may even stumble over a failed date. By setting a date the potential for making a Christian brother/sister stumble is very real.

I'm sure there are other dangers of date setting. But those two listed above should be enough to stay away from date setting completely!

Do date setters care? Well either they do not think about the consequences of failed dates or they simply do not care at all.

On September 12, 1999 I challenge all those involved in date setting to repent before God for the sin you have committed. Yes you have sinned and done something very wrong.

FOR THE DATE SETTER WHO REFUSES TO REPENT

If you refuse to repent then here is something to think about. You are well on your way to becoming a 'worthless' servant to God. You are a bad steward who is not faithful with the Bible and sound teaching. Look at the following verses:

Luke 19
17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

Luke 16
10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

By being unfaithful in the setting of a date you are showing that you are unfaithful in larger areas. The Bible is very clear. If a person is unfaithful in little, then they will be unfaithful in much. It is as simple as that. To ignore and twist Scripture to set a date is proof you are capable of much larger deceptions and unfaithfulness to God and His Word.

CONCLUSION

I'm looking for the rapture! It could happen today, tomorrow, next week, next month etc. In fact the prophetic signs are pointing toward the soon return of the Lord Jesus. However even though the DAY can be seen coming, no date can be attached to the rapture. It is an imminent event and only God knows the day and the hour. An obedient Christian will not even try to set a date because of the potential damage it could do.

Yes, September 11, 1999 will come and go just like all the other dates set by the disobedient. How many will realize their error and repent of their sin before God? Or how many will just dust off their calculators and fire up their Bible code program and grab another date? This process will repeat itself again.

Those who consider themselves good and faithful servants before God will stay away from setting dates for the rapture. Others, who are disobedient and rebellious will continue and over time get worse and worse as they drift away from God and sound teaching.

Are you a good and faithful servant and steward of God?

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