41% Believe Jesus to Return by 2050

A new survey finds that over 40% of Americans believe that Jesus will return by 2050:

Jesus will return by 2050, say 40pc of Americans

More than 40 per cent of Americans believe Jesus Christ will return to Earth by 2050, according to a poll.

Telegraph, London – June 22, 2010

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7847625/Jesus-will-return-by-2050-say-40pc-of-Americans.html

I agree that what can be considered as a world war (Revelation 9:13-19), paper money crisis (cf. Habakkuk 2:6-7), Jesus’ return (1 Thessalonians 4:16), and the planet being struck by something like a comet/asteroid/star (Revelation 8:10-11), will happen as all of them are consistent with prophecies in the Bible.

The results related to Jesus’ return are consistent with my own informal discussions with Southern Californians who do not have a COG background. Actually, one woman I spoke with yesterday suggested that it would be several decades sooner than that. And I agree.

On the other hand, there are those who have false dates. Harold Camping of Family Radio falsely claims that Jesus will return on May 21, 2011 (see Harold Camping claims Jesus will return May 21, 2011, but that is not even Pentecost). However, he will be wrong as that date is not possible. Also, Ronald Weinland of Church of God Preparing for the Kingdom falsely claims that Jesus will return on Pentecost 2012, which is May 27, 2012 (see Will Jesus return by 2012 or in 2011?). Now both of these “prophets” have changed their predictions in the past for the return dates and may do so again (though both may have credibility issues then, and Harold Camping’s advanced age may prohibit him from doing that).

Now, the Bible records a warning from the Apostle Peter that because of false prophets and false teachers, people will discount biblical truth:

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. (2 Peter 2:1-2)

The Bible also warns that in the latter days, many people will discount the idea that Jesus will return:

3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-4)

So the fact that 46% seem to believe that Jesus will not return, they will be in error. As the following biblical prophecy shows, what the Bible says will come to pass:

5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:5-9)

Historically, professing Christians believed that Jesus would return 6,000 years after Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden (for documentation of this, please see the article Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?). According to the calculations of the late Living Church of God evangelist John Ogwyn, the Bible indicates that the 6,000 years will be up around 2018 (it could be one year earlier or about seven years later as there are biblical reasons allowing variation on this).

Despite false teachers and scoffers rising up, the truth is that the Great Tribulation will begin relatively soon, Jesus will return, and the final Bible prophecies will be fulfilled. But Jesus cannot return prior to 2017 and the Great Tribulation cannot begin prior to 2013. Thus, He will not return in 2011 nor 2012.

Why?

Because Jesus cannot come until after a seven year deal is made that is discussed Daniel 9:26-27. That deal has not yet been confirmed (though similar ones have been discussed, see Germany Wants EU Army and a Middle East Peace Deal), hence there is a least seven years until Jesus will return.

Yet, Jesus will return. And scriptural indications are that it will be in the first quarter of the 21st century.

Some articles of possibly related interest may also include:

Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? When does the six thousand years of human rule end?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2010, 2011, or 2012? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Concerns About Ronald Weinland’s Church of God-Preparing for the Kingdom of God Ronald Weinland falsely claims to be one of the two witnesses God is raising up and that the end will come in 2008 (first April 17th, then June 2008, now December 14, 2008). Why does the Bible show that Ron Weinland is a false prophet? He also has at least one other view that suggests that he is not part of the Church of God.
Harold Camping’s Teachings About the End of the World Do Not Agree with the Bible Harold Camping teaches that the rapture will be on May 21, 2011 and the world will end on October 21, 2011. What does the Bible show?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them.