How can we recognize whether the Last Days are at hand?
Numerous millenarian movements have appeared in history proclaiming the Lord’s coming, often leaving their followers disappointed when the appointed hour came and went without seeing the expected event.
Part of the problem turns on the nature of what is expected: will it be a supernatural cataclysm with the Lord riding in on the clouds, or a natural process occurring over months and years like a change of seasons?
Some scripture passages discourage such speculation, saying that it is not for humans to know the details of God’s plan. They caution us not to believe easily in rash claims, otherwise ‘false Christs’ might lead many credulous people astray.
Other passages call for faith and patience, warning that only those who have prepared well will remain standing to greet the returning Lord.
Another group of passages has been widely interpreted as a basis for calculating the date of the Messiah’s coming.
Among them, we have selected passages from Christian and Jewish sources that speak of a Seventh Millennium, a millennium of Sabbath rest, as these are in agreement with Father Moon’s teaching about the millennial age, the ‘Completed Testament Age,’ that is to begin at the end of 6,000 years of biblical history since Adam.
Finally, we look at Father Moon’s teaching about the world-historical changes of the twentieth century that presage the Second Coming, rooted in the Bible’s teaching that the end will not come until the Gospel has been preached to all nations.
Sun Myung Moon
No One Knows When the Last Days Will Arrive, Making Speculation Fruitless
As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “Take heed that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet… “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Matthew 24.3-5, 36
They ask you about the Hour—when will be its appointed time? Say, “The knowledge of it is with my Lord alone; none but He can reveal as to when it will occur. Heavy were its burden through the heavens and the earth. Only, all of a sudden, it will come upon you.” They ask you as if you were eager in search of it: say, “The knowledge of it is with God alone, but most men do not know.” Qur’an 7.187
You yourself know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. When people say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape. But you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5.2-6
Sun Myung Moon
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
Some Bible verses teach that you should not believe anyone who comes with news of the Last Days. Although a preacher may sweat and pour his heart out, do not believe him. Do not even believe me, the person who stands here speaking to you.
You do not know if what I say is the truth or a lie. In the Last Days you will not be able to trust even your parents, brothers or sisters, so how can you trust a stranger? At this time, you need confidence to discern these matters with your heart.
Discern each message with your heart, and reject it if your heart tells you that it is wrong. Your heart knows. But what if your heart is too clouded to discern properly? Anoint your head with oil, go into an isolated room and pray seriously to find the truth.
Countless denominations and preachers say, “Follow me.” Who is the one whom God has prepared? Which church has created the best environment to welcome the Lord and a foundation where he can come and work? Are these people equipped to build a world filled with the Lord’s teachings?
Have you prayed about these things? Most people are not even aware that they are in a rut that will kill them, and yet they go on blabbing with their mouths open. (9:265, June 5, 1960)
Although Jesus said that the Lord would come like a thief (Rev. 3.3) it is also written that for those in the light, the Lord will not come covertly, like a thief. (1 Thess. 5.4)
When we reflect upon the events at Jesus’ First Coming, we realize that he came like a thief to the priests and scribes who were in darkness, but to the family of John the Baptist, which was in the light, God plainly revealed Jesus’ birth beforehand. When Jesus was born, God divulged this secret to the three wise men, Simon, Anna and the shepherds…
Unless People Prepare Well, They Will Not Recognize the Day When It Arrives
When the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth? Luke 18.8
What will be your state when the Son of Mary descends amongst you, and there will be an Imam amongst you? What would you do when the son of Mary would descend and lead you? 11 Hadith of Muslim (Islam)
The kingdom of Heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slum- bered and slept. But at midnight, there was a cry, “Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise replied, “Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.” And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Afterward, the other maidens came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.” Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Matthew 25.1-13
Rabbi Joshua ben Levi met Elijah at the mouth of the cave of Rabbi Simeon ben Yohai. He asked Elijah, “When will the Messiah come?” Elijah replied, “Go and ask him.” “But where is he?” “At the gates of Rome.” “And how shall I recognize him?” “He sits among the wretched who are suffering from sores; all the others uncover all their wounds, and then bind them all up again, but he uncovers and binds up each one separately, for he thinks, ‘Lest I should be summoned and be detained.’” Then Rabbi Joshua found him and said to him, “Peace be with you, my Master and Rabbi.” The Messiah replied, “Peace be with you, son of Levi.” He said, “When is the Master coming?” He replied, “Today.” Then Rabbi Joshua returned to Elijah, who said, “What did he say to you?” He replied, “Peace be with you, son of Levi.” Elijah said, “Then he assured to you and your father a place in the world to come.” The rabbi said, “He spoke falsely to me, for he said he would come today, and he has not come.” Then Elijah said, “He meant ‘today, if you hearken to His voice!” [Psalm 95.7]12 Talmud, Sanhedrin 98a (Judaism)
But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare; for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth. But watch at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21.34-36
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
In the Last Days, where can you find the Will of God? Where can you find the truth, love and life of God? Would that all people find the one at the center that Will; he is the hope of all humanity. But how can you find him?
You must rectify your mind and purify it. If you make such preparations, then even if you are not seeking him, one day he will find you. It is your responsibility to distinguish truth from falsehood. Do not expect that God will teach you.
If God were to teach the truth, He would have to turn around and say it was false.13 Accordingly, human beings must discern the truth on their own. They must be determined to seek it on their own and find it on their own.
Learn from the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins: of the ten who prepared their lamps only five could receive the Lord. (2:136, March 17, 1957)
How does the Lord come? In history, Jesus came through Judaism, the First Israel. But because it failed him, this time the Lord comes through Christianity, the Second Israel. How, then, will he come?
Many Christians believe the Bible’s teaching that the Lord will come on the clouds. They have not heard that the Lord might come as a human being. However, as the Day approaches, people moved by the Spirit will testify to his coming in the flesh. Who will testify?
They will be more women than men. This current revival began with older ladies, women over sixty and seventy years old… who testified that the Lord would come as a human being, as Heaven directed them to prepare for the Last Days. (208:306, November 21, 1990)
The Seventh Millennium of Sabbath Rest
Blessed and holy is he who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and they shall reign with him a thousand years. Revelation 20.6
As the land of Canaan had one year of release in seven, so has the world one millennium of release in seven thousand years; for it is said (Isa. 2.17), “And the Lord alone will be exalted in that day;” and again (Ps. 92.1), “A psalm or song for the Sabbath day,” which means a long Sabbatic period, and again (Ps. 90.4), “For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as the day of yesterday.” The Tanna debe Eliyyahu teaches: The world is to last six thousand years. Two thousand of these are termed the period of disorder, two thousand belong to the dispensation of the Law, and two thousand are the days of the Messiah; but because of our iniquities, a large fraction of the latter term is already passed and gone without the Messiah giving any sign of His appearing. Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a (Judaism)
After six hundred years of the sixth millennium there will be open the gates of wisdom above and the fountains of wisdom below, and the world will make preparations to enter on the seventh millennium, as man makes preparations [for the Sabbath] on the sixth day of the week, when the sun is about to set… The Holy One does not desire that so much [about the coming of the Messiah] should be revealed to the world, but when the days of the Messiah will be near at hand, even children will discover the secrets of wisdom and thereby be able to calculate the millennium; at that time it will be revealed to all…
“Let the Lord rejoice in His works” (Ps 104.31): He will cause souls to descend into the world and make them into new beings, so as to join the world into one. Happy are they who will be left alive at the end of the sixth millennium to enter the Sabbath. For it is the day set apart by the Holy One on which to effect the union of souls and to cull new souls to join those still on earth, as it is written, “He that is left in Zion… shall be called holy.” Zohar 1.117a-19a (Judaism)
There is a clear indication of this final Sabbath if we take the seven ages of world history as being ‘days’ and calculate in accordance with the data furnished by the Scriptures. The first age or day is that from Adam to the flood; the second from the flood to Abraham. (These two ‘days’ were not identical in length of time, but in each there were ten generations.) Then follow the three ages, each consisting of fourteen generations, as recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew: the first, from Abraham to David; the second, from David to the migration to Babylon; the third, from then to Christ’s nativity in the flesh. Thus, we have five ages. The sixth is the one in which we now are. It is an age not to be measured by any precise number of generations, since we are told: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates which the Father has fixed by His own authority.’ (Acts 1.7) After this ‘day,’ God will rest on the ‘seventh day,’ in the sense that God will make us, who are to be this seventh day, rest in Him.” Saint Augustine, City of God 22.30 (Christianity)
Seventy weeks of years are decreed concerning your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going forth of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off, and shall have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war; desolations are decreed. And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week; and for half of the week he shall cause sacrifice and offering to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.
Daniel 9.24-27
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
In the Old Testament Age, God taught the people through His servants and angels. In the New Testament Age, He worked through His Son. From then on, He works through the Holy Spirit. (10:197, October 2, 1960)
During the two-thousand-year period from Adam to Abraham, people had not yet fulfilled sufficient indemnity conditions to receive God’s Word directly. At most, fallen people made indemnity conditions through offering sacrifices, but in doing so, they laid the foundation for the next period when God could begin to work His providence of restoration based on the Word.
Hence, this period is called the age of the providence to lay the foundation for the Word. During the two-thousand-year period from Abraham to Jesus, humanity’s spirituality and intellect developed to the formation stage based on the Word revealed in the Old Testament. Hence, this period is called the formation stage of the providence, or the Old Testament Age.
During the two-thousand-year period from Jesus until the Second Coming, humanity’s spirituality and intellect developed to the growth stage based on the Word revealed in the New Testament. Hence, this period is called the growth stage of the providence, or the New Testament Age.
During the period when the providence of restoration is to be completed after the Second Coming of Christ, humanity’s spirituality and intellect are to develop through the completion stage based on the Completed Testament Word, which will be given for the fulfillment of the providence of restoration. Hence, this period is called the completion stage of the providence, or the Completed Testament Age. (Exposition of the Divine Principle, Restoration 2.2.1)
Paul said in I Corinthians 13, “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three, and the greatest of these is love.” We human beings, however, lost hope and faith through the Fall. By losing hope and faith, we also lost God-centered love.
The six-thousand-year history of the providence of restoration was for the sake of restoring this love… Examining these six thousand years, in the Old Testament Age people exerted effort in hope. In the New Testament Age, people made an effort in search of faith.
The coming Completed Testament Age is the age for making an effort in search of love. In the Old Testament Age, circumcision was the condition made by the chosen people as they lived in hope. In the New Testament Age, baptism of water and the fire of the Holy Spirit established faith before God.
In the coming Completed Testament Age, you will be able to enter into a loving relationship with God by receiving His seal of love. (5:108, January 4, 1959)
Sun Myung Moon
Signs of the Times
This gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come. Matthew 24.14
From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Matthew 24.32-33
For behold, days are coming, says the Lord, when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah, says the Lord, and I will bring them back to the land which I gave to their fathers, and they shall take possession of it. Jeremiah 30.3
And Jesus shall be a Sign of the Hour; therefore have no doubt about it, but follow Me: this is a straight way. 14 Qur’an 43.61
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
Through the benefit of the providence, the living God has now drawn near to us. From now on, people will have many spiritual experiences that they could not have earlier. They will communicate with the transcendent world.
Through these frequent spiritual experiences, directly and indirectly, the transcendent world will influence people on earth. Especially people who are moved and inspired by God and the works of good spirits will develop their spiritual senses to center on God.
Their character will go through a major transformation. People whose character is thus transformed to fit the heavenly way are the true people whom God has longed to see. (February 6, 2003)
As the time of the True Parents’ advent draws near, all the nations in the world are inspired to join in brotherhood. Hence, after the Second World War, the victorious countries liberated the defeated nations.
They felt towards them like elder brothers. In a family, when the elder brother beats up his younger brother, afterwards he feels sorry for him and wants to deal kindly with him lest his father punish him.
That is why the end of the Second World War saw events unprecedented in history. History unfolded in this way with the hope and goal of meeting the True Parents… and to prepare their way. (51:354, December 5, 1971)
The world’s cultural spheres are converging toward one global cultural sphere based on one religion. Concurrently, nations are moving toward forming an apparatus for international governance, having progressed from the League of Nations to the United Nations.
Today, people are envisioning plans for a world government. In the sphere of economics, the world is moving in the direction of establishing one international market. Highly developed transportation and communication technology have overcome the separation of time and space.
People today can travel and communicate with each other almost as if they were all living in the same village. People of all races, from East and West, can meet with one another as easily as if they were members of a large family. People on all six continents are crossing the oceans seeking friendship and brotherly love.
However, a family can be formed only when there is a father and a mother; only then can true brotherly love arise. Only when Christ comes again as the Parent of humanity will all people join together in one great family and live harmoniously in the global village.
As these events unfold, we may know that today is surely the Last Days. There is yet one final gift that history must present to humanity: it is the universal teaching which can bind together all the strangers of the global village into one family through the love and guidance of the same parents. (Exposition of the Divine Principle, Eschatology 4.3)
Sun Myung Moon