Day and Hour by I. D. Van Horn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 11, 1873

“Day and Hour.”

By I. D. Van Horn

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of Heaven, but my Father only.” Matt. 24:36. Since the passing of “the time,” as proclaimed by Wm. Miller, and many others, in 1814, this text has been used by many as a kind of fort into which they take refuge and feel secure against any argument that may be drawn from the Scriptures that the Lord’s coming is near at hand. To their minds, it precludes all investigation relating to that event, and involves the prophecies in such mystery that it is almost a sin to read them with the idea of understanding what they mean.

But this view is not in harmony with reason, when we take into consideration other passages uttered by the same great Teacher, which should have equal weight in the mind of every Bible student. A few verses previous to this text, we are directed, after certain signs are seen, “to learn a parable of the fig-tree. When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it [he, margin] is near, even at the doors.” This is clear proof that the people of God are to know something about the time of the second advent of Jesus Christ.

The great apostle, writing to the Thessalonians, conveys intelligence to them that Christians, living near the coming of “the day of the Lord,” would have some knowledge of that event. 1 Thess. 5:1–4. Two classes are referred to as living then: the one, saying, “Peace and safety,” who will meet with sudden destruction; and of the other, he says, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” With this light shining from the divine word, we are constrained to believe that it is not only the privilege, but the duty, of God’s people to have some knowledge of the time of that great and glorious event.

We see, therefore, that those who shut themselves up in this fort are inconsistent. To show more clearly they are so, we will present the argument in another form. The majority of professed Christians of our day hold tenaciously to the doctrine of the Trinity—that is, that the Son has equal power, wisdom and knowledge with the Father. Mark, in his record of our Saviour’s words, says, “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in Heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” Mark 13:32. Reasoning, as they do, that no man can know anything about the coming of Christ, they are forced by the same argument to say that the angels cannot know, and they come to the monstrous conclusion that the Son himself has no knowledge of the event. Taking this view of the subject, the doctrine of the Trinity, which has been so long cherished, falls to the ground. Whether professed Christians hold this doctrine or not, they must admit that the Son of God has a knowledge of the day and hour of his second coming to this world. Therefore their view of the text under consideration is a forced interpretation, and one out of harmony with other portions of the inspired word.

What, then, is the true meaning of the text? Manifestly it must be understood in the sense of making known or proclaiming the definite day and hour of Christ’s second advent. The word know or knoweth is sometimes used in this sense. See 1 Cor. 2:2. As this definite time is not revealed in the Bible, no man can make it known. When our Lord shall come in the glory of his Father, the holy angels will accompany him. They may have a knowledge of the definite time, yet it is not their work to proclaim it. The Son most certainly knows the day and hour of his coming, still it is not given him to proclaim it or make it known.

After he had risen from the dead, and had met with his disciples, they, being anxious for the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, ask him this question: “Lord, wilt thou at this time again restore the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” Acts 1:6, 7. It therefore belongs exclusively to the Father to make known the time when the kingdom will be established, or, which is the same thing, the time when the second advent of his Son will take place. See 2 Tim. 4:1.

God’s voice, which shook the earth, was heard at Sinai when he proclaimed his law. He is to speak once more, and then not only the earth, but also heaven, shall be shaken. Heb. 12:26. Immediately in connection with the shaking of the powers of heaven, the sign of the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven will be seen. Matt. 24:29, 30. The time marked in his word for his voice to be heard again, is at the pouring out of the seventh plague. “And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of Heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.” Rev. 16:17. It is here the Father makes known the definite time to his people.

The people of God, living in the last days, have sufficient knowledge of the time when their Lord will come to know that he is near, even at the door. They then assume a waiting, watching position. They are so completely on their guard that he does not find them sleeping, and so come upon them as a thief in the night. While in conflict with the powers of earth, their trials cause them to watch with greater diligence. They pass through the time of trouble, anxiously awaiting the hour of deliverance, and when they hear the voice of God, their countenances light up with holy joy. They know then their trials are over, and the conflict is at an end. Their Lord comes, and they at once enter upon their new life—the life that never will end. Happy are they that are found watching, having endured unto the end. They will share in the victory, triumph and unending glory of the children of God.

I. D. Van Horn.