Mike said the following...
Point is, if someone pretends to have an idea about timing, you should be suspicious. What we do know for sure is that nothing has happened for two thousand years. So if you tell me Jesus is "coming soon," first thing I'm gonna ask is what do you mean by "soon?"
Of course we should be suspicious if someone tells you that they now when He will return. The main theme that runs throughout the Bible has always been that only the Father in heaven knows and that we should be prepared and live our lives as though He will return any minute. One article suggests that Jesus is patiently waiting to come back, because He is giving humanity as much time as possible to choose and follow Him. Jesus wants as many people as possible to repent and return to heaven with Him.
2 Peter 3:8-9 says,
8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you,[a] not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
Peter is talking about people like you, Mike. People who have denied Him all of their adult lives. He's being patient hopeful that you'll see the light and come back to Him. All it takes is yours repentance. All you have to do is ask for forgiveness from the many times that you have denied Him. A two thousand year wait doesn't take away from the fact that Jesus Christ is God. Its Him being patient with you. He is your Lord and Savior. He is merciful and will take you back right up till the end. Matthew 20:1-16 tells you that.
20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage,[a] he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4 and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. 5 When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6 And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ 9 When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage.[b] 10 Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage.[c] 11 And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?[d] 14 Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’[e] 16 So the last will be first
All you have to do is repent from your past sins and ask for forgiveness. There are many good priests in Pittsburg who could help you with that. I would think that you could still get your marriage blessed by the church. There are lots of people including your family who are praying that you do.
Links to other posts in this series:
1. Answering an Atheist: Introduction
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