No one knows that day or hour.

Another, Second Coming statement causing confusion and deception in the household of God is, “No one knows about that day or hour.” Jesus made this statement about the exact time of His return during the Olivet Discourse. This expression has been incorrectly interpreted by many, thinking that it means we will be unable to determine the general time of the Second Coming. The statement is clear and precise. It says, “No one knows about that day or hour.” It does not say, no one knows the general time of the Coming. As a matter of fact Scripture does indicate that we will be aware of His Coming and we will not be surprised, “as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Paul also said, “But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief” (1 Thessalonians 5:4).

Repeatedly, Jesus told of the increasing deception that will come in the last days. He commanded us to watch and stay alert so we would not be deceived by the world and get caught off guard. This is what He said during the Olivet Discourse.

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.  So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 24:36-51).

Notice in this passage how Jesus contrasted the believer, Noah with the unbelievers the “people,” “they” and “them.” Noah knew when that day was coming, God actually told him when to get in the ark. However, the world was caught completely by surprise even thought Noah preached to them, 2 Peter 2:5.

Here is what He said,

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' (Mark 13:32-37)

If we examine these passages carefully, it is apparent that Jesus is warning us to stay alert and “Watch!” as we see the Day of the Lord approaching. However, we will not know “the day or the hour.”

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 25:13).

Richard H Perry