Can Christians Find the Date in the Bible for the 2nd Advent of Christ?

The first argument made by almost all denominations of Protestantism against date setting is their misunderstanding of Matthew 24 and Mark 13.

Scripture reads:

Matthew 24:36
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Mark 13:32
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

One verse states that only God knows the day and hour (day of judgment and hour of tribulation). However, Mark 13 indicates that Jesus didn't know the day and hour (research kenosis theology to understand why Jesus did not know). By means of superficial reading, it seems as if these verses imply no one can know the exact date of Christs return. However, these verses do not say we will never know the day or hour. It simply states that we do not know. If these verses imply we will never know, wouldn't one conclude that Jesus will never know the exact date? If so, wouldn't that be illogical since Christ will most definitely know at the exact time of His return?

Furthermore, in the verses in proceeding Matthew 24:37 we read:

Matthew 24:37-39
37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

The entire world that was going to be destroyed by the flood did not know the exact date of judgment, as indicated in verses 38b and 39. The only exception was Noah and his family, since it is told that they did indeed know exactly what day the flood was going to happen.

Genesis 7:4
For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.

Another quoted verse, and for that matter phraseology, is from 1 Thessalonians where we read:

1 Thessalonians 5:3
3 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
4 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.


Christians will cite these verses as proof that Jesus comes when we least expect him, like a thief in the night. However, they fail to read the next verse that dismantles their conclusions.

1 Thessalonians 5:4
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

So the brethren, those that are saved, will not be alarmed when Jesus comes, for they know exactly the timing of the Lord.

This last verse strongly suggests that we will know the hour of tribulation:

Revelation 3:10
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.


1. If we do not watch = Jesus will come as a thief and we will not know the hour

2. If we do watch = Jesus will not come as a thief and we will know the hour