Scripture Text – Matthew 24:3-14
Signs of His Coming
The darker the day, the brighter the blessed hope of the Christian shines. The more terrible world events become and the darker the deepening gloom of civilization’s coming crisis looms upon the horizon, the brighter gleams the hope of the believer in a better day.
It is well to look back to the days of Christ’s humiliation, suffering and death—there to see the awful, infinite price He had to pay for our redemption. However, the first coming of the Lord Jesus was but the first step in a series of events which will culminate in the crowning of this King Jesus with a crown of authority—not a crown of thorns. Then He will sit on the throne, not hang on the Cross.
Nothing is more certain than the personal, bodily return of the Lord Jesus to this earth. Scripture has much more to say concerning His second coming than His first. Yet millions accept the first but reject, or at least ignore, the second.
His Coming is Imminent
We believe in the imminent personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ as the only hope of this war-torn world. The word imminent has been much misunderstood. When we speak of His imminent return many people think we mean the immediate return of the Lord. Hence they accuse those who preach it of being false prophets because Christ has not come back. By imminent we mean that Jesus may come at any time. His second coming is an undated event as far as God’s revelation is concerned.
We do not know when He is coming, but we do know that He is coming and may come at any time. The term “immediate coming” implies that He will come immediately or at some date which is determined. No well-taught Bible student attempts any such foolish speculation. There have been those in the past who have attempted it but all have failed and brought reproach upon the blessed truth of the Lord’s return. Therefore, remember that while we look for Him constantly and He may come at any time, we teach this:
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” – Matthew 24:36.
His Coming is Nearer
We do know, however, and dare to preach that He is coming. From all the signs given in the Bible by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, His coming is very near today. The indications predicting the return of the Lord have increased with amazing rapidity. In the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel there are, among others, at least nine sure signs which the Lord Jesus declares will precede His return. These nine are:
- False messiahs and christs (verse 5).
- Wars and rumors of wars (verse 6).
- Famines and pestilences (verse 7).
- Earthquakes in various places (verse 7).
- Anti-Semitism and Jew baiting (verses 9–10).
- False prophets and deceivers (verse 11).
- Increase of lawlessness (verse 12).
- Apostasy and love growing cold (verse 12).
- The universal preaching of the Gospel (verse 14).
Remember that the Lord gave these signs to the disciples in answer to their question: “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Take heed that no one deceives you.” Before giving His disciples the signs of His coming again, He admonished them against being deceived by anyone. He warned them right up front that there was to be an age of deception and false teaching, and then He gave them the nine signs of His return.
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 