THINGS WE DON’T KNOW

The disciples were anxious over whether the time had finally come for Jesus to set up His kingdom—or to restore their kingdom, as their question really suggested—as have been many generations of His followers since that time.

Despite this very clear statement from Jesus, even our Adventist history is punctuated by attempts to know the dates on which specific events in God’s plans and promises would take place, beginning with the Great Disappointment. It has been a source of anxiety for those who have wanted to get it right and for so many of those who have gotten it wrong. Such date-setting has also been used by some preachers to urge people to get ready and get right. Fear can be a powerful motivator, but its effect is often short-lived and requires increasingly larger doses to maintain the impact. Some people will progress beyond fear to a deeper engagement with faith; many more will respond but then move on to the next idea, next story, or next thrill. Some preachers are drawn into a cycle of sensationalism as they seek the next story or prediction that will catch and hold their listeners’ attention for as long as possible. It is an unhealthy cycle and a poor tool for the task Jesus gave to His disciples.

Jesus’ statement is a way to break the hold and attraction of fear.

When Jesus said that we do not know, that it is not ours to know, it lifted the burden from the disciples. Yes, Jesus had given them signs that would act as way markers (see Matthew 24), but more importantly, He had given them a blueprint for living and waiting well (see Matthew 25). Now, He also gave them a specific task—a growing mission to be His witnesses in the world around them—and the power of the Spirit as a healthy guide and motivator.