Every so often, a new date gets circled on the calendar as the day Jesus will return.
Most recently, September 23rd has resurfaced as one of those dates — with believers urged to “get ready” before it’s too late. Social media has filled with ominous warnings, urgent appeals, and even accusations against those who don’t share in the anticipation.
This time, the prediction seems to trace back to a South African man who says he had a dream in 2018 revealing this specific date. The idea spread rapidly, as these things tend to do, especially among prophecy-watch communities online.
For those of us who do long for Christ’s return — and desire to be found faithful when He comes — how should we respond?
1. What Does Scripture Say About Knowing the Day?
Jesus is not silent on this:
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”
— Matthew 24:36 (LSB)
Any claim that a person knows the exact day or hour of the Lord’s return directly contradicts this verse. It’s not unclear. It’s not symbolic. It’s not conditional. It’s definitive.
When a modern “prophecy” or dream claims what Jesus Himself denied knowing during His earthly ministry, that should cause us to step back with holy caution.
Jeremiah 23:16 — “They are leading you into worthlessness; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of Yahweh.”
Colossians 2:18 — “Let no one keep defrauding you… going into detail about visions he has seen, being puffed up for nothing by his fleshly mind.”
God has spoken clearly and finally in His Word (Heb. 1:1–2). When someone’s “revelation” stands outside Scripture, it stands against it.
2. Wasn’t This a Problem in the Early Church Too?
Yes — and it was serious enough for Paul to write two letters to the Thessalonians to address it.
In 1 Thessalonians 4–5, some believers were confused about the resurrection and worried they had missed the return of Christ. Paul comforts them with the truth: Jesus will return bodily, visibly, and powerfully — and no believer will miss it.
But by the time Paul writes 2 Thessalonians, things had gotten worse. False reports had spread — claiming the “day of the Lord” had already come (2 Thess. 2:1–2). The result? Some believers had become disordered, convinced there was no point in continuing with daily life.
That’s the real background to 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12, where Paul says:
“If anyone is not willing to work, neither let him eat… we hear that some among you are walking in an unruly manner… Now such persons we command… that working with quietness, they eat their own bread.”
The word “unruly” here is important — ἀτάκτως (ataktōs) in Greek — meaning disorderly, out of step, disruptive. It’s not just about laziness. It’s about stepping out of the orderly, quiet, faithful life God calls His people to.
Commentary Support:
John Calvin:
“The Apostle here censures those who, under pretense of the coming of Christ, had given themselves up to idleness.”
Matthew Henry:
“There were some among them who had given up themselves to idleness, under pretence of their expecting the second coming of Christ.”
Reformation Study Bible (edited by R.C. Sproul):
“Some Thessalonians had become idle, possibly thinking that because the Day of the Lord was imminent (2:2), work was no longer necessary.”
Paul’s correction is not just, “Get a job.” It’s: “Get back in line. Stop living as though truth has been revealed to you that God has not given.” (See “Bonus Bonus” for more entries.)
3. What Does Disorder Look Like Today?
Disorder today might not mean someone quits their job or stops paying bills. It might look more like:
- Constantly posting about prophetic timelines
- Railing against other believers who aren’t “watching” the way they are
- Replacing faith in Scripture with faith in a YouTube prophet or private dream
- Dividing the body of Christ over speculative dates
These, too, are disorderly. They distract from the gospel, stir up fear or pride, and often accuse faithful believers of “lukewarmness” simply for walking quietly in obedience.
4. So How Should We Watch for Christ?
The New Testament doesn’t just tell us to watch — it tells us how.
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands… so that you will walk properly toward outsiders.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12
“Encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone… Rejoice always… Hold fast to what is good.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:14–21
We are called to faithful, hopeful, patient endurance — not prophetic obsession.
Our readiness is not proven by correctly predicting a date. It’s proven by abiding in Christ, loving His people, obeying His commands, and trusting His Word.
5. One More Word on False Predictions
If someone predicts a date — like September 23rd — and the day comes and goes, don’t be surprised when the goalposts move.
- “It was spiritual, not literal.”
- “It actually happened in heaven.”
- “It was a test to see who was really watching.”
These are the same rationalizations that have followed every failed prediction, from the Jehovah’s Witnesses to Harold Camping to the so-called Revelation 12 sign in 2017.
Deuteronomy 18:22 — “When a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh, if the thing does not happen or come true, that is the thing which Yahweh has not spoken.”
God doesn’t stutter. When He says no one knows the day, He means it.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been caught up in this — or know someone who has — you don’t need to feel ashamed. The desire to see Christ, to long for His return, is good and right.
But that desire must be disciplined by Scripture, not driven by speculation.
If you’re truly watching and waiting for Christ — let it show in how you love, serve, work, pray, and live today. Let it show in quiet faithfulness, not in anxious countdowns.
He is coming. But until then…
“Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.”
— Luke 12:43
Bonus: You’re Not the First — A Brief History of Failed Rapture Predictions
If you’re feeling like September 23rd is the big one — that surely this time the signs are too strong, the warnings too clear — let me gently say:
You’re probably young.
You probably think this is the first time a date has been set.
But this kind of thing has been happening for centuries — and it’s never ended well.
Here are just a few of the many failed end-times predictions that have come and gone.
The Millerites (1843–1844)
- William Miller, Baptist preacher, predicted Christ would return between March 1843 and March 1844, then narrowed it to October 22, 1844.
- Thousands waited in white robes. The day passed.
- Became known as “The Great Disappointment.”
- Aftermath: splinter movements became Seventh-day Adventism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others.
Charles Taze Russell (1870s–1914)
- Founder of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
- Predicted Christ’s invisible return in 1874, and end of the world in 1914.
- When 1914 passed, teachings were revised to say He began ruling “invisibly.”
Herbert W. Armstrong (1940s–1975)
- Leader of Worldwide Church of God.
- Predicted the rapture would happen in 1975.
- Many followers quit jobs or sold possessions.
- Failed prediction reinterpreted; group later fractured.
Hal Lindsey (1980s–1990s)
- Author of The Late Great Planet Earth.
- Interpreted Israel’s founding in 1948 as the beginning of the final generation.
- Predicted rapture would occur around 1988.
- Revised timeline quietly in later books.
Harold Camping (1994 & 2011)
- Predicted the rapture for Sept. 6, 1994, then May 21, 2011, then Oct. 21, 2011.
- Bought massive billboards and ran global ads.
- When nothing happened, he repented and admitted sin.
- Many followers left the faith disillusioned.
Revelation 12 Sign (2017)
- Claimed rare star alignment on Sept. 23, 2017 fulfilled Revelation 12.
- Said it would bring rapture or tribulation.
- Nothing happened. Explanations followed. Some continue updating timelines today.
Y2K Panic (2000)
- Some Christian leaders claimed Y2K would spark global collapse and tribulation.
- Nothing happened. Brought public ridicule to biblical prophecy.
Edgar Whisenant (1988–1989)
- Wrote 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988.
- Sold millions of copies. Sent to thousands of churches.
- When wrong, he published 89 Reasons Why… the next year.
Ronald Weinland (2008, 2011, 2012)
- Claimed to be one of the Two Witnesses of Revelation.
- Predicted rapture dates multiple times.
- Later convicted of tax fraud and imprisoned.
Blood Moon Tetrads (2014–2015)
- Popularized by Mark Biltz and John Hagee.
- Tied lunar eclipses to Jewish feast days.
- Claimed major prophetic events would follow.
- No fulfillment occurred.
Montanism (2nd century)
- Montanus and two prophetesses claimed direct revelation and imminent descent of the New Jerusalem.
- Condemned as heresy by early church.
- One of the first examples of apocalyptic disorder from new prophecy.
Hippolytus of Rome (c. 220 A.D.)
- Respected early theologian.
- Predicted Christ’s return in A.D. 500 based on symbolic math.
- Proves even the best minds are fallible when timeline hunting.
Martin of Tours (4th century)
- Believed Antichrist had already been born (Hardly unique — similar claims have been made in almost every generation.)
- Expected Christ to return before 400 A.D.
- A sober reminder that being devout doesn’t guarantee doctrinal soundness.
Honorable Mentions
- Benjamin Creme (1980s): Claimed Christ had returned secretly as “Maitreya the World Teacher.”
- Various Hebrew Roots groups: Often predict rapture events aligned with Jewish feast dates.
- YouTube channels: Thousands of new date-setters appear every year with timelines based on signs in the heavens, world events, or numerology.
What do all these have in common?
- They weren’t based on Scripture rightly interpreted.
- They drew from dreams, calculations, visions, or speculation.
- They all failed.
- And in every case, confusion, disappointment, or heresy followed.
Deuteronomy 18:22 — “When a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh, if the thing does not happen or come true, that is the thing which Yahweh has not spoken.”
Bonus Bonus
What Faithful Expositors Have Said
To fully understand Paul’s rebuke in 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12, we need to see it in light of the eschatological confusion that began in 1 Thessalonians. The “idleness” Paul addresses wasn’t mere laziness — it was a kind of disorder fueled by wrong beliefs about Christ’s return. This section collects commentary from trusted voices to show that connection clearly and consistently.
John Calvin:
“The Apostle here censures those who, under pretense of the coming of Christ, had given themselves up to idleness.”Matthew Henry:
“There were some among them who had given up themselves to idleness, under pretence of their expecting the second coming of Christ.”Geneva Bible Notes (1599):
“Such as live idly, and will not work at all, ought not to be nourished by the Church: and this is a rule which ought to be inviolable.”Reformation Study Bible (edited by R.C. Sproul):
“Some Thessalonians had become idle, possibly thinking that because the Day of the Lord was imminent (2:2), work was no longer necessary.”John Gill:
“These persons were not only slothful and idle, but tumultuous and disorderly; neglecting their own business, and meddling with others’.”Albert Barnes:
“The expectation that the end of the world was near, led them to neglect their worldly affairs, and cease their labors, as if it were of no use to continue them.”Charles Hodge:
“The neglect of duty resulting from the mistaken belief that the day of the Lord was at hand… It is against this evil that the apostle solemnly warns them.”James Montgomery Boice:
“They were so convinced Christ was coming in their lifetime that they dropped everything, and lived off the generosity of others. Paul commands such people to return to quiet, faithful labor.”John MacArthur (MacArthur Study Bible):
“The false teachers were encouraging people to abandon responsibilities and live in anticipation of Christ’s immediate return. Paul rebukes this confusion with clear instruction.”
