1. INTRODUCTION
Will there be signs, warning and advance indications of our Lord’s coming? If so, what will they be? Two extremes must be avoided. On the one hand, we must not set dates for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. No man knows the precise hour of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:36, 42; Acts 1:6, 7). On the other hand, we are not to be dulled into spiritual lethargy. We are to watch and be ready for the rapture (2 Timothy 4:8). Jesus wants His people to discern the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3; Luke 21:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:4). Genuine Christians who carefully observes current events and moral and religious trends must be deeply impressed by the cumulative evidence. Surely we are in the last days, and Christ’s second coming is very near indeed. What are some of the specific signs which seem to herald our Lord’s return?
2. A SCOFFING UNBELIEF IN CHRIST’S COMING
"There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation" (2 Peter 3:3, 4). Some will flatly deny the doctrine of Jesus’ return as absurd or unreasonable. Others will interpret it to mean the death of the believer. Others will openly ridicule it as antiquated or superstitious. The very spread of incredulity indicates that the Lord’s coming draws near. For Peter tells us that scoffers will abound "in the last days" (2 Peter 3:3).
3. RELIGIOUS UNCONCERN
Callousness and carelessness with regard to the things of Christ have always been present. But they will increase in the last days and thus point unerringly toward the return of Christ. An Instructive Parallel - In Noah’s day, shortly before the destructive judgment of the Flood, men were concerned about two items: eating and drinking, and marrying and giving in marriage. The propagation and preservation of the race were their main topics of conversation in the very hour when the race was about to perish (Compare Genesis 6:5-9:19 with Matthew 24:32-39). The sinful race in Noah’s day cared little about his repeated warnings, was more interested in business as usual and the perpetuity of the human species. The inevitable result was that it was swept away by the Flood. So it will be at Christ’s coming. Mounting lack of concern about the things of God in general will precede His coming and indicate that it is near.
4. A FALLING AWAY FROM THE FAITH
God has given to us in His Word (i.e. Holy Bible) which is accurate and reliable. "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21). People long have questioned, doubted and impugned the authority of the Bible. But the sacred Book has stood the test of time. In the last days the apostasy ("falling away") will spread rapidly. (And that is happening today!)
4.1 The Testimony of Paul
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith." (1 Timothy 4:1-5) Note the "seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (1 Timothy 4:1) which will lead people astray. "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:3). Unbelievers will have "itching ears" and will seek after false teachers and false religions which will not provide the true way of Salvation. They will be turned unto fables (2 Timothy 4:4).
4.2 The Modern Fulfillment
Paul stated the case perfectly. Spurious sects abound today. The old-fashioned, saving gospel is widely spurned. The integrity of the Scriptures is denied far and wide. The growing apostasy proclaims the approach the Son of God (Matthew 24:11).
5. AN OUTWARD FORMALISM
This will be a strange phenomenon of the latter days. Inward unbelief will be cloaked in outward ritualism. Faithlessness will be concealed by ceremonialism. If faith is missing, they will concentrate on form, "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (2 Timothy 3:5).
5.1 The Value of Ceremonies
If one's faith in the Lord Jesus is deep and genuine, of course he will wish to demonstrate it in visible, tangible ways. He will prove the purity of his religion by holiness and charity (James 1:27) and by the religious exercises in which, as a child of God, he engages.
5.2 The Danger of Ceremonies
But when the outward trappings of religion are a substitute for saving faith in Christ, they can lure a man to a Christless eternity! In the last days this will be the tragic state of affairs. Many a man who is outwardly religious but inwardly lost will be left being at Christ’s appearing. The very multiplication of religious, formal but unredeemed groups will be another indication of the Saviour’s approaching advent.
6. THE INCREASE OF WICKEDNESS
Paul describes the last days as "perilous times" (2 Timothy 3:1-9). He then explains the nature of the peril. Study with care II Timothy 3:1-9. Essentially men will be "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" (II Timothy 3:4).
6.1 The Surprise
Popular fancy would have us believe that man’s moral status steadily improves; that education, erudition and culture are adequate agents in ethical rehabilitation. The Bible teaches the opposite. Man is a sinner both by nature and in conduct. A sign that Christ's coming is near is not that human society is morally prepared for His return, but rather that it is thoroughly degraded apart from the gracious influence of the Gospel.
6.2 The Challenge
Christians must do all they can to improve society. But their observation of contemporary moral deterioration (e.g. some highly educated men commit homosexual activities) and delinquency (e.g. a recent murder case was relating to a child who had killed a baby) must alert them to the nearness of Jesus’ advent (Matthew 24:12).
7. DISTURBANCES OF NATURE
7.1 The Ordinary Course of Nature
Earthquakes, famines and pestilences characterize human history. For since the Fall of man, nature has been under the divine curse (Romans 8:22).
7.2 Intensified Confusion
Jesus implied (Luke 21:10, 11) that these things would increase in number and destructive effect toward the close of the age.
7.3 Present Fulfillment
There have been more severe earthquakes in the last two hundred years than in the preceding one thousand years (Matthew 24:7; Luke 21:11). And the twentieth century has witnessed a lot of the worst pestilences in history (Matthew 24:21).
8. UNIQUE CONTEMPORARY SIGNS
During the last few decades a series of events has been taking place, the converging impact of which would suggest that Christ’s second coming may be even nearer than many believers suppose. There are at least eight such contemporary events is overwhelming. May we all be on tiptoe spiritually, with the earnest prayer in our hearts, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).
8.1 Political Consolidation in the West
A union of ten nations in the area of the ancient Roman Empire is predicted in Daniel as a sign of the last days. These are the "ten toes" and "ten horns" of Daniel 2:42; 7:7. Read Revelation 13:1-15, 17:8-13. Western European countries are today entering into ever closer, economic (e.g. unified monetary system, ECU), political and military ties. The way is being prepared for Anti-Christ to assume power after the Church is caught up and away.
8.2 Promotion of Cashless Transactions System and Computer Records
The promotion of cashless system is also providing a way for the Anti-Christ to control the human rights of all people. Advancement of computer technology, computerized personal records and also transaction records, credit cards, debit cards and the recent launched "Mondex" cards will be used by the Anti-Christ as effective means to control all people and force them to obey and worship him (Read Revelation 13:16-18).
8.3 Stirrings in the Far East
Mighty nations, such as the People’s Republic of China (PRC), are now alert and ready for action. The rulers of the PRC are blood thirsty, corrupted and absolute dictators. Most of the religious activities are prohibited in PRC. Their military might is growing and their national ambitions are increasing. The renascence of the Far East is paving the way for the marching of "the kings of the east" toward Armageddon (Revelation 16:12).
8.4 Fusion of Peoples in the North
This means, north of Palestine - the area of Russia and her satellites. This fusion of peoples under the sponsorship of the hammer and sickle is a precursor of the great northern confederation (Ezekiel 38:14-16) which will invade Israel in the latter days. The present President of Russia who has serious heart disease (he is very sick), will either die or lose his political power very soon. The former army leaders (i.e. communists) will reign Russia with iron rod very soon. Russia will become a very strong military country very soon. The closer the "iron curtain" countries are joined in political unity, the nearer Christ’s return seems to be.
8.5 The Return of Israel to Her Land
After many centuries of wandering, the Jews are now making their way back to Palestine. Nowadays, Israel is a duly recognized republic (Review Isaiah 11:11; Jeremiah 23:3; Amos 9:13-15). The vanguard of Hebrews already back on the soil of their fathers will be followed by many more of their countrymen. All this paves the way for the return of Christ for His own; and then for the treacherous conduct of Anti-Christ, who will make a deadly agreement with Israel back in her land (Daniel 9:24-27).
8.6 The Tendency to Re-build the Jewish Temple at the Temple Mountain
The Jewish Temple will be rebuilt with the permission of the Anti-Christ who will seat on the throne in the temple and force the Jews to worship him (Matthew 24:15, 24; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; Revelation 13:1-15). The recent re-opening of the second tunnel at the temple mountain in Jerusalem and excavation of archaeological evidences in Israel showing the tendency for the Jews to rebuild their Temple and restore their daily Sacrifices. If the Jews can find the lost gold altar of incense, ark of the covenant and two stone tablets of ten commandments, it will be a very strong and sufficient archaeological evidence to prove that the Holy Bible is the true Word of God, they will want to rebuild their Temple immediately (Note: A lot of Jews don't believe the New Testament, they only accept the Old Testament as the true Word of God) so that they just want to restore the Sacrifices in accordance with the Law of Moses. Satan don't want the Jews to rebuild their Temple because the Satan's ruling period in this world will only last for 7 years or even less according to the Bible Prophecy (Daniel 9:27). According to the above reasons, most of the people in the world will not pay attention to the current affairs happened in Israel. They may be deceived by the Satan to pay more attention to their daily entertainments, money making, UFO, ET, etc.
8.7 Preparation for the Coming World Church
The vast ecclesiastica maneuvering observable today, the merging of church groups, the minimizing of theological distinctives which separate denominations, the greater "understanding" between Protestantism and Rome - all this seems to be setting the stage for ecclesiastical apostate Babylon (Revelation 17:1-7). The harlot of Babylon represent a world-wide corrupt religious system (apostate Christianity) linked with Rome. The great prostitute as a false wife trying to take the place of the true Bride, the Church of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:22-28). In her final form she gathers up into her embrace all the false religious systems of earth. This Babylon will come into prominence on earth when the Church of Christ has been caught up to heaven.
8.8 The Atomic Age
As a climax to all the other signs, our generation has now entered an age about which our predecessors knew nothing. Peter, in describing "the day of the Lord," writes that "the elements shall melt with fervant heat," and that "all these things shall be dissolved" (2 Peter 3:10, 11). His words suggest just such an explosive era as the twentieth century. The destructive power of atomic bombs can evolve immense heat which can dissolve all materials in the world. Read also Matthew 24:6-8, 29; Revelation 6:1-8. Before the cataclysmic forces strike, the people of the Lord will be with their Saviour (2 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:1-6). Surely His coming will not be delayed much longer! Are we ready to meet Him in the air?
9. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY WAY TO SALVATION
There is only one God, there is only one way to salvation. What is that way?
Is it by prayer? No
Is it by good deeds? No
Is it by paying money? No
Is it by doing the best you can? No.
Is it by becoming a local church member? No.
Is it by becoming a follower of a religion system? No.
What, then, is the way to Salvation?
The Lord Jesus Christ said, "I am the way." (John 14:6) He is the only way. No mere human leader or religious system showed us the right way to Heaven. We are faced with a decision. We can take the road which leads to eternal life and Heaven or we can take the road which leads to eternal death and Hell. God wants us to choose the way to eternal life. Satan wants us to choose the way to eternal death. God will not force us to take the way to Heaven. We have a free will. We can choose the place in which we want to spend eternity. We must choose today. Tomorrow may be too late to make our choice. We may be either dead or the Lord Jesus Christ may have already come to rapture His saints to Heaven.
"But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up…." (2 Peter 3:8-13). If you want to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, then you must pray to God, "I am a sinner, I deserve to go to Hell. I believe the Lord Jesus Christ died for my sins. I accept Him now as my personal Saviour and will seek to live for Him from this time forward."
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