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Date-Setting Disappointment

Back on October 22, 1844, followers of William Miller (Millerites) expected Jesus to return. This was called the "Great Disappointment" for obvious reasons. People kept going with it, modifying views and such, eventually spawning outfits like the Seventh-Day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses. I guess you could say they evolved from a common ancestor.

Those of us who have a few decades under our belts have experienced several "end of the world" prophesied events. Nothing happened. In 2016, some of us endured the "Super Shemitah" and blood moons business — and it was a business for people like Jim Bakker and others. But, as usual, those sidewinders kept on a-selling to their gullible followers.


At this writing, the latest big thing was supposed to have happened on September 23, 2017. People were interpreting the signs in the heavens, earthquakes, storms, wars and rumors of wars, and so on as indications that the time of Christ's return was near. They also took some proof text Bible verses to throw into the stew. Again, nothing happened. But you can be sure that people will make some adjustments, get new insights, reinterpret, and other things. Maybe the end of the world began but we just don't know it yet, and a specially-blessed prophet will explain it to us. Actually, there will probably be a dozen or so with competing special revelations. Not revelations from God, of course, but from the god of this world.

This child doesn't have a spiritual gift of genius, but something stands out. People who are deceived by false prophets, end-times date-setters, various cults, movements, and so on have something in common: lack of Bible. They do not exhibit knowledge of sound doctrine or discernment. Biblical ignorance is a primary reason people are deceived.

Dr. Danny Faulkner wrote some articles prior to the recent apocalypse folly. He has an excellent follow-up that I strongly recommend. It's not a quick read, so I suggest that you keep it until you're ready to pay attention.
Now that September 23, 2017, has passed with no major incident, it is time to reflect. I’ve waited a month after September 23, until the Hebrew month Ethanim (Tishri) ended, for reasons I will explain shortly. First, let me recap. In the previous 2.5 years, many self-professed Bible prophecy teachers suggested that the Lord likely would return on September 23, 2017. They primarily based this teaching upon a peculiar understanding of Revelation 12:1–2,
To read the rest of the article, click on "Reflections on September 23, 2017".