Christ told us that no one knows the DAY of His return. He even said that He Himself does not know the DAY, nor the angels, but the Father alone. The reason is that it is within the Father’s sole authority to decide when the day of Christ’s return has come.
Note what we said in one of our Q&As, addressing certain numbers in the book of Daniel, and answering the question as to whether the 1,260 days, 1,290 days and 1,335 days mentioned there show us exactly when Christ will return:
“… we do not know the exact day of Christ’s return. Matthew 24:44 reads: ‘Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’ In Mark 13:32-33, we read Christ’s words: ‘But of that DAY and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.’ Neither Christ, nor God’s angels, nor we ‘know’ [present tense!] the DAY and the HOUR of His coming. Christ seems to be saying that we won’t know the exact time — a phrase broader than just a 24-hour-day. The reason for this conclusion is given in Acts 1:6-7:
“‘Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” [They understood that Christ would establish the Kingdom of God on this earth, when He returns.] And He said to them, “It is not for you to know TIMES or SEASONS which the Father has put in His own authority.”’
“It is the FATHER’S decision to determine when exactly to send Jesus Christ back to this earth. That is the reason why even Jesus Christ does not know the EXACT time. All attempts to figure out the exact time are also futile in light of Christ’s words in Matthew 24:21-22: ‘For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were SHORTENED, no flesh would be saved [alive]: but for the elect’s sake those days will be SHORTENED.’
“Some have speculated that Christ will return exactly three-and-a-half years after the beginning of the Great Tribulation (and the Church’s protection at a place of safety). This does not take into account, however, that these last days will be shortened. We also read in Hosea 6:1-2: ‘Come, and let us return to the LORD; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. After two days He will revive us; On the third day [not: AFTER three-and-a-half prophetic days or years] He will raise us up.’”
Some have taught that Christ will come back on the Day of Pentecost, or on the Day of Trumpets, or on the Day of Atonement.
Regarding the Day of Pentecost, please read our booklet, “The Meaning of God’s Spring Holy Days” and the Q&A on the firstfruits. The Day of Pentecost pictures the spiritual begettal of God’s disciples—the firstfruits–and their receipt of the Holy Spirit in this day and age. It does not picture the birth of God’s firstfruits as Spirit beings in the first resurrection. One reason is that the two loaves, representing the firstfruits, which had to be presented to the LORD on the Day of Pentecost, had to be baked with leaven (compare Leviticus 23:17). Leaven symbolizes sin. Today, converted Christians still sin, but once they are born again in the Kingdom or Family of God and have become God, they will not and cannot sin anymore. Therefore, the Day of Pentecost does not represent the resurrection and change of God’s saints to eternal life in God’s Family, and it is therefore very unlikely that Christ will return on that day.
It is true that the Feast of Trumpets represents Christ’s Return and the resurrection of the saints, which will occur when the seventh trumpet sounds. But the Feast of Trumpets represents much more. On that day, not just one trumpet was blown, but the Levites blew several trumpets. In the book of Revelation, we read that seven seals will be opened, and the seventh seal consists of seven trumpets, which will be blown by seven angels. But these seven trumpets, which are all pictured by the Feast of Trumpets, will not be blown in just one day, but for a longer time. Also, even when the seventh or last trumpet sounds, the events that will occur at that time will take longer than just 24 hours. All the events that are described to occur during the blowing of the seven trumpets and even the seventh trumpet cannot possibly just occur during a 24 hour-time span allotted to the Feast of Trumpets.
Please see the time sequence of events pictured by the seven trumpets, as explained in our Q&A
“The SEVENTH seal consists of SEVEN TRUMPETS, which are blown by seven angels (Revelation 8:2, 6). The first FOUR trumpets are described in Revelation 8:7-12.
“(7.1) The FIRST TRUMPET
“It describes, what appears to be, a firestorm destroying one third of all trees and of the grass (compare Revelation 8:7)
“(7.2) The SECOND TRUMPET
“It depicts, what appears to be, a huge burning meteorite falling into the sea, destroying one third of all sea creatures and one third of all the ocean ships (Revelation 8:8-9).
“(7.3) The THIRD TRUMPET
“It describes, what appears to be, another huge fiery comet or asteroid, destroying or poisoning one third of all the sweet drinking water (Revelation 8:10-11).
“(7.4) The FOURTH TRUMPET
“It brings further cosmic disturbances, blocking one third of the light of the sun, moon and stars (Revelation 8:12-13).
“Revelation 8:13 speaks of the last three remaining trumpets as the last ‘three woes’—because of their great and extreme severity.
“(7.5) The FIFTH TRUMPET (the ‘first woe’)
“The first of the last three woes—or the fifth trumpet—is described in Revelation 9:1-12. It identifies the final resurrection of the Roman Empire, coming out of a ‘bottomless pit’ (Revelation 9:1-3, compare Revelation 11:7; 17:8), an end-time European power bloc, referred to as the ‘beast’ elsewhere. It is depicted to be at war with other nations. Its instruments of war are symbolically portrayed as ‘locusts’ (Revelation 9:3) or helicopters, causing pain and harm on humans for five months, without killing them (Revelation 9:4-5, 10). The real ruler of this power bloc is ‘the angel of the bottomless pit’ (Revelation 9:11)–Satan the devil. This war occurs after the Great Tribulation—after the time of war between Europe and the modern nations of the houses of Israel and Judah. By that time, the modern nations of the houses of Israel and Judah will already be destroyed, and their surviving people will have become captives of this European power. The war depicted in Revelation 9 is alluded to more fully in Daniel 11, commencing with verse 41.
“(7.6) The SIXTH TRUMPET (the ‘second woe’)
“Revelation 9:13-21 describes the second woe or the sixth trumpet—the appearance of an invading army of 200 million soldiers (Revelation 9:16) from the east (Revelation 9:14)–shortly after Europe’s invasion of the Middle East (Daniel 11:41-43, 45)–to kill ‘a third of mankind’ (Revelation 9:15). Apparently, this is the second stage of a total world war between, at that time, mainly the European power bloc and a power bloc of eastern nations (compare Revelation 9:17 with Joel 2: 4). This second stage is also alluded to in Daniel 11:44.
“(7.7) The SEVENTH TRUMPET (the ‘third woe’)
“The third woe or the seventh trumpet is not described until Revelation 16. Previous chapters are interludes—flashbacks—setting the stage for the climax of the last or seventh trumpet, as identified in Revelation 16 (compare Revelation 10:7).
“The seventh trumpet of the seventh seal consists of SEVEN LAST PLAGUES, which are described in Revelation 16:1-21. Seven angels pour out these seven last plagues, also referred to as the seven bowls of the wrath of God (Revelation 15:7; 16:1).
“(7.7.1) The FIRST OF THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES or bowls:
“It causes ‘a foul and loathsome sore’ on those who worship the beast and its image, and who have accepted the mark of the beast (Revelation 16:2).
“(7.7.2) The SECOND OF THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES or bowls:
“It causes every living creature in the sea to die (Revelation 16:3).
“(7.7.3) The THIRD OF THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES or bowls:
“It causes the sweet water supply to become ‘blood’—that is, undrinkable (Revelation 16:4-7).
“(7.7.4) The FOURTH OF THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES or bowls:
“It brings about increased solar radiation which horribly scorches mankind. Despite this punishment from God for their sins, man will not repent, but rather blaspheme God (Revelation 16:8-9).
“(7.7.5) The FIFTH OF THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES or bowls:
“It causes total darkness to cover the Headquarters of the beast—again, people will blaspheme God and will refuse to repent even then (Revelation 16:10-11).
“(7.7.6) The SIXTH OF THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES or bowls:
“It will dry up the waters of the ‘great river Euphrates’ (Revelation 16:12) to enable the ‘kings from the east’ to advance to the place of ‘Armageddon’ (Revelation 16:16) to ‘gather’ there in preparation for ‘the battle of that great day of God Almighty’ (Revelation 16:14, 16). These kings from the east, as well as all the other kings of the earth, will be influenced by Satan and the demonically possessed beast and the false prophet (Revelation 16:13-14). All of them will gather at ‘Armageddon’ or the ‘hill of Megiddo’ (‘har’ meaning ‘hill’ in Hebrew), about 55 miles or 90 kilometers north of Jerusalem, and about 15 miles or 25 kilometers inland from the Mediterranean Sea. Megiddo is a huge mound with a commanding view of the long and fertile valley of Jezreel—an ideal place for armies gathering there. Then, they will converge from there on Jerusalem to fight the returning Christ. We don’t read that there will be a battle at Armageddon—the battle will be fought farther south in the valley of Jehoshaphat, which is called today the ‘Kidron Valley,’ bordering Jerusalem on the east.
“(7.7.7) The SEVENTH OF THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES or bowls:
“It causes a tremendous earthquake to shake the earth ‘as had not occurred since men were on the earth’ (Revelation 16:17-18; compare Isaiah 2:12-19; 13:6-13; 24:1-20), causing the ‘great city’ of Jerusalem to be ‘divided into three parts’ and ‘all the cities of the nations’ to fall (Revelation 16:19). Further, every island disappears, and mountains are leveled (Revelation 16:20). A great hail of tremendous size destroys everything in its path. Again, man will not repent, but blaspheme God because of the hail (Revelation 16:21).
“To obtain the entire picture of the events at the time of Christ’s return, we need to consider additional passages.
“The battle in the valley of Jehoshaphat and the mighty earthquake are more fully described in the nineteenth chapter of the book of Revelation, which describes the return of Jesus Christ (Chapters 17 and 18 are again interludes—flashbacks—setting the stage for the climax of the destruction of this world’s civilization–called ‘Babylon’–which is being dominated or influenced by a military-economic and religious power).
“Chapter 19 describes the returning Jesus Christ, riding on a white horse, to establish the government of God here on earth (Revelation 19:6, 11, 14-15).
“When the seventh angel sounds and when Christ returns, the saints–converted Christians–will be resurrected to immortality, if they have died, or they will be changed to immortality, if they are still alive (1 Corinthians 15:50-56; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). They will at that time be born again and inherit salvation, by entering the Kingdom or very Family of God. They will meet Christ in the air and descend with Him on that same day on the Mount of Olives. Zechariah 14:3-5 indicates that, apparently due to the great earthquake of the seventh bowl, mentioned in Revelation 16:17-18, the Mount of Olives shall split in two, making a very large valley, where the final battle of God Almighty will take place.
“Christ will overcome the armies which will be trying to fight Him, as well as the modern leaders of modern ‘Babylon’–the military ruler (‘the beast’) and the religious leader (‘the false prophet’) (compare Revelation 19:19-21). The destruction of the armies is more fully described in Zechariah 14:12, 15. The beast and the false prophet will be cast into ‘the lake of fire burning with brimstone’ (Revelation 19:20).
“Revelation 19:7-9 also states that Christ will come to ‘marry’ His ‘wife’—His Church—and that those are blessed ‘who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ Other passages shed more light on this marriage and the marriage supper, compare Matthew 22:1-14; 25:1-13; Luke 12:35-38; 13: 25-30.
“Beginning with Revelation 20, further events are described, which will occur after Christ has returned to this earth. An angel will bind and imprison Satan and his demons for 1000 years or a ‘millennium,’ so that Satan cannot deceive mankind during that period (Revelation 20:1-4; compare also Revelation 12:9). The immortal saints will rule with and under Christ on and over this earth for those thousand years (Revelation 20: 5-6; Daniel 7: 22, 27). The results of this rulership will be peace, prosperity and a correct understanding of God and His ways (Isaiah 2:2-4; 9: 6-7; 11:1-10; 35:1-10; Amos 9:13-15; Micah 4:1-5). Ultimately, the saints will reign under God ‘for ever and ever’ (Revelation 22:5)…”
Some might say: But did not critical events take place prior to Christ’s return exactly on the corresponding day and at the time pictured by the annual Holy Days? And will not exactly the same happen in the future?
The answer to these questions is: Not necessarily.
For instance, the Day of Passover is to be observed at the beginning of the 14th of Nisan, when the Old Testament Passover lamb was slain during the two evenings (after sunset and before nightfall), and its remains were to be burned in the morning. But Christ, our true Passover Lamb, did not die on the evening of the 14th of Nisan, nor was He buried in the morning of the Passover Day. Rather, He died several hours later, in the afternoon of the 14th of Nisan, and He was buried just before sunset at the end of the 14th of Nisan. Passover pictures the death of Christ, the true Passover Lamb, and Christ died on the Passover Day, but He did not die exactly at the time when the Old Testament Passover lambs died; that is, He did not die at the beginning of the Passover day, but towards the end.
Jewish tradition states that the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and that Jericho fell on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread, but the Bible does not specifically say so. Even though it is entirely likely that these events took place on that annual Holy Day, if it was critically important that those events did take place then, the Bible would have told us that.
Jewish tradition also states that God proclaimed the Law of the Ten Commandments to Israel on the Day of Pentecost, but, again, even though it is very likely that this is true, the Bible does not specifically say so.
Many claim, based on Jewish tradition, that the Messiah will come on the Feast of Trumpets, but the Bible does not specifically say that, either. Further, let us consider this:
The Day of Atonement, which is celebrated ten days after the Feast of Trumpets, pictures the replacement and banishment of Satan, but this does not mean that Christ will wait ten days after His return before He will banish Satan, allowing him to rule mankind for another ten days after Christ’s return. Some even suggest that the ten days stand for ten years. Are we to assume that Christ will allow Satan to rule ten more years after Christ’s return, before he will be imprisoned?
The First Day of the Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated five days after the Day of Atonement. The Feast of Tabernacles pictures the Millennium, when Christ rules on earth, together with the immortal saints. But we are not to assume that Christ and the saints will have to wait fifteen days after Christ’s return and their resurrection and change to eternal life, and five days after Satan’s banishment, before they will begin to rule here on earth. Some even say that the fifteen days from the Feast of Trumpets to the First Day of the Feast of Tabernacles represent fifteen years. But are we to assume that Christ and the saints will wait fifteen years before they begin to rule on earth?
The Feast of Tabernacles lasts one week or seven days and pictures God’s rule on and over the earth for a thousand years. It is obvious that thousand years of godly rule cannot be compressed into one week. Rather, the Feast of Tabernacles just pictures the time of the Millennium.
Also, the Last Great Day or the Eighth Day, immediately following the Feast of Tabernacles, pictures the Second and even the Third Resurrections. (For more information on the Second and Third Resurrections, please read our free booklet, “Is That in the Bible? The Mysteries of the Book of Revelation!”). But these events do not take place in just one day—rather, they comprise a period of more than 100 years.
The weekly Sabbath and the annual Holy Days picture certain events in God’s master plan for mankind. It is not necessary that the events pictured by the particular Holy Days occur on those very days—in some cases, that would be quite impossible. Even though God’s master plan existed since the creation of man, the annual Holy Days were made for the nation of Israel—the Church in the wilderness (Acts 7:38, Authorized Version)—and the New Testament Church of God—spiritual Israel. They did not exist when man was created; some of them came into existence at the time when Israel was about to be freed from Egyptian captivity (compare Exodus 12), and others came into existence later (compare the list of God’s annual Holy Days in Leviticus 23).
(Compare our Q&A, asking and answering the question: “Were the Holy Days given at the time of Moses actually observed before—including even in the times before the flood?”)
In conclusion, as members of the Church of God, we are duty-bound to observe today God’s annual Holy Days, as we obey God’s instruction in this regard. The Holy Days remind us of God’s plan for us and for all of mankind. They are picturing seven steps in God’s master plan, but they do not necessarily tell us the exact days or hours when those steps were or will be implemented. Since we know that the steps pertaining to Pentecost have already been implemented, we can say that it is highly unlikely that Christ will come back on the Day of Pentecost. As Christ will banish Satan, after He has returned, it is unlikely that He will return on the Day of Atonement, which pictures Satan’s banishment. However, for all the foregoing reasons explained in this Q&A, we should not state dogmatically that Christ will come back on the Feast of Trumpets, and worse yet, attach a particular year to the Feast of Trumpets, and say, “Christ will come back on the Feast of Trumpets in the year of…”
Remember, Christ clearly told us: “But of that DAY and hour [of His return] no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32).
Lead Writer: Norbert Link
