THE GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT

Matthew 25:1-13

INTRODUCTION: Have you ever heard of “The Great Disappointment?” The Great Disappointment was one of the most noted events in the history of the American church. In the early 1800s there were many revivals and literally hundreds of new converts were added to many churches. Many of these new converts had very little biblical knowledge but they began to discuss biblical prophecy; especially regarding the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth. Speculation boiled over the exact time when Christ would return, and among the speculators was a new convert named William Miller of New York. Miller predicted that Christ would return to earth on October 22, 1844. When that day came and passed many Christians became disillusioned and the Great Disappointment became the end of those revival times.

I. OUR LORD JESUS’ WORDS ABOUT HIS RETURN!

Our Lord had already told his followers that no man can know the date of His return: Matthew 24:36-44. When people claim to know the day and the hour of our Lord’s return they are saying Jesus Christ does not know what He is talking about: Matthew 25:13.

II. WHY CAN WE NOT KNOW THE DAY OR THE HOUR OF CHRIST SECOND COMING?

Often people are surprised to learn that our Lord has not revealed everything to His people. Deuteronomy 29:29. Now God has revealed everything we need to know in order to life a life pleasing to Him: 2 Peter 1:3-4. If we knew the exact day of our Lord’s return many would just stop working for God’s kingdom and just sit around waiting for His return. It is not good to speculate on the date of our Lord’s return but it certainly is a good thing to be excited about our Lord’s return: 1 John 3:1-3. The question we must know the answer to is “If the Lord Jesus Christ came to the clouds tonight to catch away His church would you be caught up to the clouds or left behind?” Have you yet received Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Romans 10:9-10, 13. Jesus said even the angels do not know the day of Christ return: Matthew 18:10; Matthew 13:36-44. Not even Jesus knew the hour of His return for His church. Philippians 2:5-7; John 17:5; Matthew 24:36. We need to be zealous about our Lord’s return but we are warned not to be zealous without knowledge: Romans 12:11; Proverbs 19:2. William Miller was a man who was zealous without knowledge: 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Our Lord’s teaching on the subject of the rapture of His church had three propositions: 1. He will certainly return. 2. We cannot possibly find out when. 3. We must always be ready for Him to come.

III. THE GREATER DISAPPOINTMENT!

When our Lord returns we are told that He will be coming to judge the living and the dead. On that day of judgment will we be ready? Matthew 7:21-23. So many people are trusting in their church’s teachings on baptism, church membership, giving, keeping sacraments, and other good works to get them into heaven. We must compare whatever our churches teach us with the Word of God. Titus 3:4-8. Good works don’t bring salvation, they follow because of our salvation. It is only by trusting in what our Lord Jesus Christ did for us on the cross that we can gain eternal life: 1 Peter 2:24. We must place our trust in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior or face the fact that we are going to face an even “Greater Disappointment” than the one led by William Miller. John 1:12-13.