No One Knows the Day and Hour?

Most Christians believe that the timing of the second coming is unknowable, based on Jesus’ words in the Olivet Discourse: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matt. 24:36). The popular interpretation of this passage is that not even Jesus knew the timing of the second coming—so how could anyone else?

I disagree with this interpretation for a number of reasons.

First, while it is true that Jesus did not know the exact day and hour of his coming, he certainly knew it would happen within a generation–because he said so repeatedly! For example, Jesus told his first-century audience: “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (Matt. 16:28). He also told his disciples that their generation would see the Son of Man coming on clouds (Matt. 24:30-34; see also Matt. 10:23, 26:64, and Rev. 22:12).

Second, the Father, who knew the day and hour, gave the book of Revelation “to show His servants things which must shortly take place” (Rev. 1:1). One of those “things” mentioned in Revelation is the second coming (1:7), which was near at the time of writing (1:1–3). In fact, Jesus himself said three times (through an angel) that he was coming “quickly” (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20), for the time was “at hand” (22:10).

So while the exact day and hour of the second coming was unknown, the approximate timing certainly was!

Third, after Pentecost, the disciples affirmed that they knew the approximate timing of Jesus’s coming. For example, Paul said to the Thessalonians: “But concerning the times and the seasons…you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day [second coming] should overtake you as a thief” (1 Thess. 5:1–4). While Jesus would return “as a thief in the night” (unexpectedly) to his enemies, it would not be a surprise for the disciples. In fact, in the Olivet Discourse, Jesus had specifically mentioned the various precursors to watch for—such as wars and rumors of wars, persecution, false prophets, and tribulation (Matt. 24:3–28)—and then he said “immediately after the tribulation,” you (disciples) will see the Son of Man coming on clouds (vv. 29–30). Jesus added, “When you see all these things [the precursors], know that it is near—even at the doors!” (v. 33). Jesus then reminded his disciples to “watch” for these precursors (v. 42). Why would Jesus tell his disciples to “watch” if the timing was unknowable?

As the various precursors came to pass, one after the other, the disciples knew the second coming was getting near. This is why James, in around AD 61–62, said: “The coming of the Lord is at hand…Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:8–9). That’s also why Peter, in AD 63, said, “The end of all things is at hand…the time has come for judgment to begin” (1 Pet. 4:7, 17).

In fact, as the day drew near, the Holy Spirit even revealed the hour. Paul said, “Now is the hour to awake…The night is far spent, the day is at hand” (Rom. 13:12, italics mine). Likewise, John, in the AD 60s, said “it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18, italics mine). Clearly, the disciples knew the second coming would happen within their generation!

Fourth, even Jesus’s enemies should have known the times in which they were living, and that Judgment Day was near. Consider the following exchange between Jesus and the Jewish establishment of his day:

“Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him [Jesus] asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, ‘When it is evening you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red”; and in the morning, “It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.” Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times” (Matt. 16:1–4).

Even Jesus’s enemies should have known the times they were living in because the “signs” were all around them. What signs? The miracles…the signs and wonders! This was the sure indication that they were living in the last days, and that the coming of the Lord was near (Acts 2:17–21, Joel 2:28–32).

Fifth, although Jesus said “no one knows the day or hour” of his coming (Matt. 24:36), Jesus also said—two sentences earlier—that he would come within a generation (v. 34). And a biblical generation is about forty years (Heb. 3:8–10, Num. 14:30–34 and Neh. 9:21). So it must have happened by around AD 70.

Did it happen? Absolutely! In AD 70 the city of Jerusalem and the temple were laid waste, and over 1.1 million Jews were slaughtered. The Old Covenant age, which had been in force for 1500 years, came to abrupt end. While there was certainly more to the second coming than just this, this was the “sign” or proof that Jesus had come (Matt. 24:3). See my article “The Reason for the Second Coming.”

Or, for an in depth study of this subject, get my book The End Is Here, available summer 2024.

Alex Polyak, The Bible Fulfilled 3/27/24