Why 2000 Years Until the RETURN OF CHRIST?
The Bible promises that the Lord will return (John 14:3 & Acts 1:11). Although we cannot know the exact day or hour of this return (Matthew 24:36), Christ said there will be glaring signs that the time is nigh for those alive on the Earth (Luke 21:10-11, 21:25-28 & Luke 21:31).
Many sound ministers believe that the Lord will return about 2000 years after his crucifixion, as illustrated in this diagram (click to enlarge):
Since Christ was crucified in 33 AD, we are very close to the 2000-year mark. But why do theologians think the Lord will return in about 2000 years? What evidence is there in the Bible to support this position?
One reason that always impressed me can be observed in The Parable of the Good Samaritan:
30In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “
Luke 10:30-35
The story consists of four main characters aside from the robbers — a man, a priest, a Levite and a Samaritan. Each of these are symbolic as follows:
- The beat-up man left for dead represents fallen humanity doomed to death, which is the wages of sin (Romans 6:23).
- The priest and Levite who pass by the dying man represent useless religion, which cannot save.
- The Samaritan, however, symbolizes Christ, the compassionate one who provides the way to health and life.
After bandaging his wounds, the Samaritan takes the traveler to an inn (the Church) and gives the innkeeper (the Holy Spirit) two denarii until he comes back. Since a denarius was equal to one day’s pay in that culture, it’s implied that he’d return in two days. Thus, because “a thousand years are like a day” to the LORD (2 Peter 3:8 & Psalm 90:4), it’s assumed Christ will return in approximately two thousand years, which is two days from His perspective.
For more concrete reasons on why theologians believe Christ will return after about 2000 years see this article.
Related Topics:
Second Coming of Christ — Rapture and Return to Earth
Church of Christ — What Is It?
The Five Earths of the Bible (and the Eight Ages)
Millennial Reign of Christ — Why?
Eternal Life (“Heaven”): Questions & Answers
The Fall of Man (Humanity) and Slavery to Satan
REDEMPTION — God’s Plan of Liberation for Humanity & Creation
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