Surprise! 2020 wasn’t the year. I told you in this blog that I would have to work on a new revision if revision two did not pan out. If you are reading this, you figured it out all on your own.
Hopefully you didn’t put too much faith in my early theory (personally, I put a little bit of faith in it, but not enough to cause any additional depression than I feel every year that the Day of Trumpets comes and he doesn’t return. It may feel like I’m telling you to believe me this time, I won’t do you wrong this time (sounds like Lucy to Charlie Brown when he goes to kick the football)
How do I top the stupendous work I did on Theory #1 and its subsequent revision? By redoing the math until I get the right answer, of course.
I am leaving the original post intact because it is a good summation of parallels between the Creation narrative and the history of man (including the Millineal kingdom that Christ will usher in some day . . . just probably on on any of the days I predict).
Theory 1(c): Christ returns in the year 2039
Seems like an odd year to pick (actually, it IS an odd year – ends in “9”, an odd number). But it is my next best SWAG (Scientific Wild-Ass Guess).
The theory is still based a 6000 year period of time where humans continually screw everything up and a 1000 year reign of Christ (the Millineal kingdom), who fixes everything and then judges all (explained in detail, below).
I originally used Christ as the fulcrum between the first 4000 years and the last 2000 years of ‘man’s day.’ I tried that twice and don’t know how to use it a third time, so I will start from (almost) the beginning.
No one know when Elohim created the heavens and the Earth (Genesis 1:1). The Word says, “in the beginning”.
Adam is a different matter. We have several genealogies that tell us how old each of the patriarchs were when their son was born. Sounds like real simple math . . . except for a few minor problems.
Genesis 5 takes us from Adam through Noah
And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:
Genesis 5:3
- Did Adam have Seth when he was 130 years and one day or 130 years and 364 days?
- This difference amongst all the patriarchs could add up to a couple of decades, or it could cancel itself out statistically.
- Many of those ages end in a zero or a “five”, which could mean there is some estimation taking place. Again, this difference amongst all the patriarchs could add up to a couple of decades, or it could cancel itself out statistically.
- How old was Adam when he “lived an hundred and thirty years”? When he was formed and created, he was not an infant. Did he start at 30 years of age? 40?
- The ages with the genealogies end before Israel is enslaved in Egypt. Matthew and Mark give us complete genealogies from Abraham through Christ, but all we have is the number of generations, not how long each lived before their heir was born.
At this point, we can quit in disgust or we can logically speculate (SWAG) based on the information we do have. Many famous thinkers did the latter.
A rather incomplete list of folks who thought it was worthwhile to speculate:
- 3761 BC – Hebrew calendar (160)
- 3946 BC – Biblical Timeline (based on Abraham’s birth in 2000 BC)
- 4004 BC – Archbishop James Ussher (1722)
- 3929 BC – John Lightfoot (1643)
- 3952 BC – Bede (708)
- 4000 BC – Sir Isaac Newton
- 4977 BC – Johannes Kepler (1609)
- 3113 BC – Mayan calendar (1300)
- 4600 BC – Romans (they dated to the Flood – I added 1550 years)
So how does one decide what year to use? I’m using 3961 BC. Why? Because I wrote it next to Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
I don’t remember when I wrote it or the the source of the information, but I liked the information enough that I wrote in in the margin of my Bible. I was already aware of Bishop Ussher’s date, as well as Newton’s and the Hebrew calendar, but they did not impress me enough to write their SWAG in my Bible.
Does Yahweh tell us to do these mental exercises? Yes and no.
We are commanded to study (2Timothy 2:15) and we are told that it is the honor of kings to search out a matter (Psalm 25:2)
If reading and studying the Word does not make you curious about what it doesn’t say, then you are a dull person. Live it up a little and have some fun with the Word. It was a gift for you to use and enjoy. Enjoy yourself and be vigilant for his second coming.
The following is the original blog:
Theory #1 – Is 2020 the Year?
This is going to be a blend of Scripture and logic (hey, it’s my blog, I’ll call it ‘logical’ if I want). All Bible Study is a mixture of Scripture and logic because we are supposed to use our minds to read, interpret, and understand, but I’m going to go out on a limb here and hopefully get you to think, also.
I have two theories (this is starting to sound like a Monty Python sketch) that I will share. I’ve expounded on these two theories for several decades, so I’m not sure why there is no Theory #3. I guess my brain is getting lazy.
The Flood is demonstrable fact. The Resurrection is historical fact (the fact that all the disciples were willing to face torture and death is one proof that it took place . . . who would risk their life for a lie?). My theories are a mental exercise that are worth the paper this blog is written on. I just want you to know that I understand that I know the following is not God-Breathed. Still, a good student, scientist, etc., looks at reality and ponders what could be.
The THEORY: Christ returns in 2020.
Before you start quoting Matthew 24:35-36, remember there are verses 37-39, also.
Matthew 24:35-39
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Noah knew – Yahweh told him to build an ark. He also gave Noah 120 years to witness to men while he was building the ark. The ones who did not know (purposely ignorant) were everyone, except the eight that survived in the ark. Yahweh gives signs for those that wish to know.
Genesis 1:14
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
The Word is full of ‘parallels’:
- Passover lamb that saves the Israelites from Egypt and the Passover Lamb (Yeshua) that saves all of mankind that confess him Lord and believe that he was resurrected from the dead (Romans 10:9-10).
- Jonah dead in the whale for three days and nights (this is not a Disney story, no one survives three days in an animal’s digestive tract) and Yeshua in the heart of the Earth for three days and three nights (Matthew 12:40). I discuss the three days and three nights in an earlier blog – Christ did not die on a Friday afternoon and rise again on Sunday morning.
- Joseph, his father’s favorite son, is cast down but because of his faithfulness, he becomes the chief minister of Egypt . . . second only to Pharaoh (Genesis 37 – 41), and Yeshua who is Yahweh’s only begotten. He is imprisoned, tortured and killed, but because of his faithfulness, he is resurrected and sits at the right-hand of Yahweh (Mark 16:19, et al.).
If you think you are seeing a pattern, here, then you are using your logic to understand that the entire Bible (from Genesis 3:15 to the end) is about Yeshua and his two natures. It tells how he was; how he is to be; it defines his purpose; it gave him the Words he would need to witness to Israel; when he was confronted by Satan; and when he was physically broken and dying on the cross.
To truly understand the Word, you must be able to identify these patterns because an entire story is seldom written all together in one place. In my book, Grafted: Embracing Torah (if you are thinking that you are seeing a pattern of these blogs being used as shameless commercials for my book, then logically . . . . ), I devote a chapter to strategies for studying and understanding what you read. One of the tactics is “#3 – Use Scripture to Interpret Scripture”.
The example I used in the book is the words Christ spoke from the cross, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me”. Why did he say this shortly before he died? You can read Psalm 22 to help you understand; or you can check out my earlier blog, “Why’d He Say That?” if you would like it spelled out; or you could get my book and learn about this and many other valuable fundamentals (of course I recommend the latter – I’m a little biased towards my own work). Have your library buy it and you can check it out if you don’t want to spend the greenbacks.
Shall we get to the theory?
I am a proponent of the “young Earth” theory. I’m no scientist, but after listening to numerous people teach many conflicting theories, I am more persuaded by the young Earth advocates.
This translates to the Earth and man being created approximately six thousand (6000) years ago. This is where the diagram at the beginning of this blog comes in handy. This is also where all the discussion of ‘parallels’ comes into play.
- Elohim created the Heavens and the Earth, and all that is in them, in six days. (Genesis 1).
- There are approximately 4000 years in the Old Testament (using genealogies and other historical facts to estimate the total number of years) and 2000 years since the resurrection of the Christ. This makes a total of 6000 years (give or take).
If you aren’t already seeing where this is going, then you really aren’t trying.
- Elohim rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:1-2).
- Yeshua will usher in a 1000 year reign of rest and peace when he returns as king.
When we add them together:
- 6 days of Creation and 1 of day of Rest equals 7 days.
- 6000 years living in the Creation and 1000 years of Yeshua’s millennial reign equals 7000 years
Does the Word say that this Heaven and Earth would only last for a specific period of time? Did Yeshua say he was returning in 2000 years? No and No. Can we infer that the creation story parallels the overall story of history? We can infer anything we want, but let’s examine another way the Word may be hinting at a nexus between the two narratives.
- “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.” (Psalms 90:4)
- “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2Peter 3:8)
The verses immediately following 2Peter 3:8 specifically speak of the end of this present heaven and Earth and the beginning of a new one.
- “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2Peter 3:10)
- “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” (1Thessolonians 5:2)
- “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” (Revelation 3:3)
- “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” (Revelation 16:15)
‘The day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night.’ If you own a home, do you not anticipate that you could be robbed by a thief? Do you not put locks in on your doors and windows? Maybe you install an alarm system? Maybe you have a weapon ready to protect your most valuable assets (your family)?
If you see ‘signs’, are you not more vigilant? If a neighbor is robbed, you are more alert – if two or more have break-ins, you may sleep sitting on the couch with a shotgun on your lap or organize a neighborhood watch.
If you repeatedly see a strange car that appears to be ‘casing’ the neighborhood, you contact the police and ask them to check it out. The point is, you don’t ignore fairly obvious signs and act like nothing could ever happen.
When Christ returns, we are not supposed to say, “Wow! Didn’t see that coming.” That’s what the unbelievers will say . . . just like the ones before the Flood. Noah was prepared and we should be, too (How to prepare will be the subject of a future blog and a future book . . . provided I am wrong about Theory #1).
The parable Christ told of the women waiting for the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13) is concerning being prepared to enter the new kingdom. Five women were prepared for when the bridegroom came (they had oil for their lamps) – the other five did not and went away to find what they needed, thereby missing the bridegroom.
Matthew 25:13
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
I told my pastor, ‘the word says, “ye know neither the day nor the hour”, but it says nothing about knowing the year’. To his credit, his response was, “tell me more”.
Theory #1 is that Christ returns on Rosh Hashanah in the year 2020.
I’ve based this on 4000 years between Creation and the death of Yeshua and adding in the 2000 years since his resurrection (minus seven years for the tribulation). The next 1000 years will be his reign in the millennial kingdom.
Rosh Hashanah because it is the ‘Feast of Trumpets’ when Israel’s kings were officially coronation, and most probably the day he was born (in 3 BC – discussed in my book Grafted: Embracing Torah and the subject of a future blog).
Should you cash in all your IRAs and quit your job? Absent more information than what I have given you, then yes, you should – but only if you are a complete imbecile. Theory #1 is a THEORY! Rather, it is Theory 1(b). Theory #1 has been around a long time. Theory #1(a) was based on 2000 years since the birth of the infant Christ (subtract seven for the start of the seven years of tribulation).
That anniversary came and went and I was forced to redo ‘the math’ based, now, on his resurrection. I didn’t sell my IRAs or quit my job then, and I don’t plan to do it now. What I will do is prepare and to look for more signs . . .
. . . and try to figure out what Theory #1(c) will look like.
As a consolation, Theory #2 is shorter and way, way better.
Yahweh gave you a mind – exercise it.
Study your Bible; listen to teachings and proof their work; fellowship with Bible-believing Christians; and always seek guidance from the one you have confessed as Lord in prayer. This is vital to avoid suffering catastrophe when The Day finally comes.
