Was Christ supposed to return in 2017?

Answer

Leading up to the year 2017, the date-setters were at it again. Although Jesus told us that no one knows when He will return (Matthew 24:36-44), some people insisted on making predictions concerning the timing of the rapture and/or the second coming. One theory was that Jesus would return in 2017, based on the idea that 2017 was a Jubilee Year and His return would fulfill a medieval rabbi’s prophecy.

To understand the now-defunct theory, we must know what a Jubilee was. Leviticus 25:9 says a year of jubilee was to be observed after seven cycles of seven years (49 years total). This fiftieth year was a time of celebration and rejoicing for the Israelites. A ram’s horn was blown on the tenth day of the seventh month to start a year of universal redemption. The Year of Jubilee involved a release from indebtedness (Leviticus 25:23-38) and from all types of bondage (verses 39–55). Every captive was set free, slaves were released, debts were forgiven, and lands and properties were returned to the families of the original owners. In addition, all labor was to cease for that year, and those bound by labor contracts were released from their obligations. The Year of Jubilee was similar to a sabbatical year (or shemittah) in that fields and vineyards were left fallow (verses 4–7). During the Jubilee both the land and the people had rest.

The idea that Jesus will return during a Year of Jubilee comes from some calculations made by Rabbi Judah ben Samuel in AD 1217. According to the rabbi, there would be a certain number of Jubilees from ben Samuel’s time until the messianic kingdom would begin. The year 2017 was said to be the end of that predicted period; thus, some people looked for Jesus’ return during Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles)In 2017 (October 4–11), they believed that during that period, the Messiah would return to provide His people with rest and bring great joy to His redeemed.

There were several issues with this belief, aside from the fact that it did not come to fruition. One concern was rooted in the Mosaic Law. Leviticus 25:10 states, “Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants.” The term “land” in this context refers to Israel, and “all its inhabitants” are the people residing within Israel’s borders. According to Jewish tradition, the Jubilee is only observed when the twelve tribes of Israel are in their land and residing in their designated territories. Following the deportation of the northern tribes by Assyria in 722 BC, the observance of the Jubilee law ceased and has not been reinstated.

Moreover, there was no definitive way to confirm that 2017 was indeed a Year of Jubilee. Even if it were, it would not indicate the return of Christ. As per certain Jewish sources, the commemoration of Jubilee is not valid without a Sanhedrin—and since the destruction of the second temple in AD 70, there has been no Sanhedrin. In ancient times, the Jubilee Year commenced with the sounding of the shofar (ram’s horn) by the Sanhedrin.

Another flaw in the belief that Jesus would return in 2017 to establish His kingdom was that the Bible states the kingdom will be preceded by a seven-year tribulation period during which God’s judgments will be unleashed upon the earth. Paul warns us not to be misled; before the Lord’s return, there will be a significant apostasy, followed by the removal of the Restrainer, and then the revelation of the man of sin (the Antichrist) (2 Thessalonians 2:3-8). Unless we somehow overlooked the tribulation, the Antichrist’s oppressive rule, and the return of Christ, 2017 was not the correct timeframe.

The church’s rapture could take place in a matter of days—or in several years.In a few centuries. The reality is we do not know. The crucial aspect is to be prepared for Jesus’ arrival. Ensure you are in Christ, and “keep watch, as you do not know the day or the hour” «Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.», (Matthew 25:13).