Maybe I’ve always been naïve about this. Or maybe I just assumed everyone who knew anything about the second coming of Christ knew this one thing: no one knows when Jesus will return. No one.

Jesus Himself said,

“Now concerning that day and hour no one knows​—​neither the angels of heaven nor the Son —​except the Father alone…. This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matt. 24:36,44).

Two truths:

  1. Jesus is coming back.
  2. No one know when.

It’s always amazed me that, over the years, individuals have stepped forward to say they’ve figured out the timing. Maybe they saw it as a divine escape game in which, if you can figure out all the clues and riddles, you’ll land on the magic date. Or maybe they thought they had an inside track to the mind of God on the matter—an inside track better than the one Jesus had.

It’s equally amazing to me that others buy into these predictions despite Jesus’s clear words that no one knows the actual timing. Let me stress (again) that, even if the announcement comes on an egg just hatched by a chicken, no one knows. Not even chickens.

In 1806, Mary Bateman was living in Leeds, England when she had a vision. In this vision, she was told that the coming of Christ would be foretold on fourteen eggs—and the fourteenth egg would usher in the destruction of the world.

And lo and behold, one of her hens starting laying eggs on which “Christ is coming” appeared in black letters. Hoo boy, this got people’s attention. But Mary Bateman had a solution for those who didn’t want to face the destruction. For one shilling each, they could purchase a very special slip of paper which read “J.C.” This slip of paper would guarantee their entrance into heaven. Over one thousand people paid a shilling each for this assurance.

Of course, not everyone bought into this. One doctor examined one of the prophetic eggs and discovered that apparently God’s messenger used corrosive ink. He got the authorities involved. They went to visit Mary Bateman and caught her red-handed shoving the fourteenth and last egg into the chicken to lay later that day.

I’m not going to say that everyone claiming detailed extrabiblical information about the second coming is a charlatan like Mary Bateman, but we need to remain “alert and sober-minded,” ensuring that the words any prophet or preacher claims are in full alignment with God’s Word.

Jesus is returning. I am more than ready for Him to return, but I’m going to trust Him to come when the Father is good and ready. In the meantime, rather than speculate about the times, I plan to focus on what God has called us to focus on. Prayer. Loving others. Serving for His glory.

“The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen” (1 Pet. 4:7-11).

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