.

.Everyone wants to be an "authority" in some way, but never a 'servant' in the truest sense, when it comes down to the tintacks of our faith, don't they?  Oh, if we could only heed the simple and clear words of Jesus to his (Jewish) disciples when they thought the signs were there and said, "wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel (his 1,000 year reign)?"  Jesus' reply (and is this not his reply to us if you don't happen to break 'the church age' up into segments of time, as some do?):

"It is not for you (dispensationalists are excluded for some reason) to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power."

In the Father's power it was HIS WILL for NO ONE (get that, NO ONE! - whose excluded?) to know when Jesus would return, but just to be comforted with the fact it was going to happen sometime, and that in the meantime it was business as usual (there was a very important job to do after all - aka, getting the gospel out!).  If they did know, they would be a "spiritual" 'cut above' everyone else after all (even above the man Jesus of Nazareth, who, as a man, was resigned to the fact he never knew the time of his return).  Moreover, we would not need the Holy Ghost either, would we, if we had revelation all sown up?  Who is our teacher anyway?

Herez that reminder again from the gospels, and this is what we are told to do:

"Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is."

Capping it off, Jesus went onto say, after his disciples where asking him about the time of restoring the kingdom (as we just read previously), "it is not for them to know"!  On the other hand, herez WHAT IT WAS for them to know as well as experience (that includes all servants and nobodies):

"But ye (YOU and ME) shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you (YOU and ME): and ye (YOU and ME) shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (hey, thatz where I happen to live - WOW!!!)."

Looks like we are ALL called to be witnesses first (or at least after the call to be servant). This is the principle thing, right at the commencement of Acts. Moreover, it is nothing to do with wrangling or fighting over dates or future events that has not happened up to this point in time.  Which was no doubt the reason Jesus jumped on this right at commencement, spelling it out real clear as we just read.

Whatz the most important thing to do?  The New Testament answer:  Bring Jesus to the world as one faithful body and frail earthen vessel, in his power and might!  Or (alternatively and ineffectively), come as a divided front, fighting over this same Jesus in regards to his timing and entry back to this world ...  and the gospel will be discredited to no end!  Ring a bell!?

Trying to convince another group or individual that you are right and they are wrong simply will not work.  Allowing the Lord to reveal himself to the other party prayerfully, with brotherly love, will have a much greater impact and effect!  2 Peter 1:7 says (paraphrased) about allowing 'godliness' to produce 'brotherly kindness'; that 'brotherly kindness' will result in 'charity'.  Thatz nothing to do with supporting a mission or slipping a donation onto the plate by the way, but placing others before yourself, to the point of being prepared to die for them.

Her'riz another from 1 Peter 1:22  ...  "unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently"!  This is allowing the Holy Ghost to do his work, and not us getting in his way or taking over his job because we want to be a hot shot for "Gawd".  The opposite to devouring one another; because you would not capitulate to someone's "biblical" doctrine or intellectual view point, just for their sake or to appease their "caring", "heart throbbing", "kind intention".

Some?  They prefer to remain on their high horse or mighty lofty plain, at the expense of true love and the unity of Jesus' precious body, we are to fearfully discern and to let shine as a city on a hill!
Hopefully, me?  I know what I believe ...  and it iz more to do with the past than the future!  The past iz always safer and more proven than the future, iz it not?  Let me repeat it again in order (or the hope) that the penny will drop ...  THE PAST IS ALWAYS SAFER AND MORE PROVEN THAN THE FUTURE TO USE AS PROOF OF THE PUDDING!  It is a proven 'track record' case, in other words!  A running principle right through scripture; to do with God always removing His righteous before proceeding with His wrath!  However, you are entitled to your opinion.  As long as you don't use mine to attack me in person and undermine my credibility!  Or cut me off because my convictions would not allow me to agree with you in this case!  Or vice versa!  After all, I am only saying ...  'confirmation' is far safer and prudent than 'speculation' (maybe 'presumption' is a better word used here)!  Allow me to repeat this also, in order to sink in ...  CONFIRMATION IS A FAR SAFER AND PRUDENT THAN SPECULATION OR PRESUMPTION!  Is this not good sound advice?

However, I am refraining from getting involved.  Whatz the point?  I seen no fruit; just friction, heated debated, sour 'falling outs', and destroyed relationships between good people.  My advise now (to both babies and the mature in the Lord) ...  stay out yourself!  If someone is out to distort and complicate the simple gospel or water down Christ's divinity or prove the Bible is unreliable, thatz a different scenario.  The word says the following things are inevitable ...  "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived."  Therefore, these are the ones to mark and avoid.  Not your precious (even wayward) brother or sister, who can't always (for some reason) agree with you!

Patronizing, again?  Nope!  Just giving sound advise, if that iz all right?   Here it is ...  letz just know Christ and Him crucified and preach the cross!  After all, he is coming back (this iz a divine decree and solid guarantee) and this is our blessed hope!  Just as he has promised!  Can we trust him this much, as always!  The important thing is to be always ready (for His appearance) and on the alert for such things as strawmen building and red herrings, and other distractions, like feeding religious trolls or naming dates.  Not to forget to mention ... unproven predictions and theories, no mater how plausible they appear or are justified!  Remember, many have got recognition or become wealthy in the process, and time has not been kind to them when it has caught up with them!

Don't get bogged down, look up (thatz scriptural)!  The KISS principle always applies ...  Keep It Simple (dear) Saint!  Jesus is coming again!!

Maranatha!!