(June 27, 2011) The Pew Research Center released a poll last week which asked Americans their beliefs about what the next forty years may be like:
“These are among the findings of a new survey of attitudes and expectations about the future, conducted by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and Smithsonian magazine in conjunction with the magazine’s 40th anniversary (see “40 Things You Need to Know about the Next 40 Years”). The survey, conducted by landline and cell phones April 21-26 among 1,546 adults, was informed by a 1999 survey on the future that explored many of the same topics (see “Optimism Reigns, Technology Plays Key Role,” October 24, 1999).”
The questions covered a myriad of subjects such as Science, Technology, Environment, America, Economy, Social Trends, War, Terrorism, and Global Trends. The article (Public Sees a Future Full of Promise and Peril Life in 2050: Amazing Science, Familiar Threats) also asked Americans about Apocalyptic scenarios:
“The public sees the next 40 years as a time of violent conflict, both globally and in the United States. Fully 58% see another world war as definite or probable over the next 40 years. Nearly as many (53%) expect the United States to face a terrorist attack with nuclear weapons…
On a very different subject, the public is divided over whether Jesus Christ will return to earth by 2050. About four-in-ten (41%) expect Jesus Christ to return while slightly more (46%) say this will definitely or probably not happen. Opinions about the return of Jesus Christ are little changed from 1999 when 44% said it would definitely or probably happen.
Most Americans do not expect the adoption of a single global currency in the next 40 years. And while the survey finds that the public sees many potential dangers looming in the decades ahead, there is not widespread concern about the possibility that an asteroid will collide with earth. Fewer than one-third (31%) say an asteroid will definitely or probably hit earth, which is unchanged from 1999.” (Section 3: War, Terrorism and Global Trends)
My first response to this report is a biblical one:
“36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)
With that understanding, Jesus did give signs to His followers to look for leading up to His return. Although we won’t know the day or hour I believe the Holy Spirit will stir Christian believers’ hearts as that day approaches. Just before Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection He reproved the Jews of Jerusalem and the nation of Israel for not knowing and recognizing the signs of His (the Messiah’s) coming or visitation to them:
“41 And when [Jesus] was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it, 42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.” (Luke 19:41-44)
There were many prophecies in the Old Testament that spoke of the coming of the “suffering” Messiah. However, the Jewish religious leaders focused on the prophecies that spoke of a “conquering and victorious” Messiah. Thus, as a nation Israel rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus was justified in reproving Israel because they ignored God prophesied plan for humankind’s redemption.
Likewise, God has given many prophecies that speak of Jesus the Messiah’s second coming. He gave these to His followers for a reason as the apostle Paul wrote, “12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:12-13) Paul also wrote concerning the End-Times, “17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (I Thessalonians 4:17-18) Christians are to look for the appearing of Jesus and to find comfort and hope in the fulfillment of End-Times prophecies. As I wrote in my previous blog article (As it was in the days of Noah and Lot…) God makes a distinction between believers and unbelievers. Believers will be looking for Jesus’ coming while the world will scoff at and be blinded to the prophetical signs.
As to the date of 2050 I cannot say whether Jesus will return before then. I do find the rebirth of the nation Israel to be prophetically significant. The Jews’ return to the land could only have happened by the will of God. Therefore, I don’t believe that God is going to let hundreds or thousands of years go by before He judges the earth and Jesus returns to set up His kingdom. That is why believers need to keep looking for the signs that God gave so that we won’t miss the “signs of the times” of Jesus’ approaching second “visitation”.
Related posts:
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Tags: Jesus Christ, Matthew 24, Messiah, Second Coming