TEXT:

‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’ – Matthew 24:3

THOUGHT:

Today’s Teaching focuses on the second question Jesus’ disciples asked, “What will be the sign of Your coming?” From the answer Jesus gave them, there appear to be eight clear signs to look out for. Some concern just the nation of Israel, while others refer to worldwide events. Almost all of them have been fulfilled or are being fulfilled, so this should warn us that Jesus is coming soon and it could easily be in our lifetime.

• The rise and prevalence of false religions and christs – Matthew 24:4-5, 11, 24, 26

The nineteenth century in particular, saw a number of false religions gain prominence such as spiritualism, Christian Science, Jehovah Witnesses and Mormonism. The last two are particularly aggressive in evangelism. Since then Eastern religions have flooded the Western world. Many countries have also seen the promotion of secular humanism and the ‘do as I like’ attitude, regardless of the feelings and concerns of others.

The main differences between true Christianity and all other religions are twofold. Firstly, religious leaders die and stay dead, but Jesus rose from the dead. Secondly, false religions put the onus on oneself attaining salvation thus not needing Jesus, whereas Christianity states that everyone needs a saviour.

• Global warfare – Matthew 24:6-7

There has always been war throughout the history of the world, but WW1 and WW2 really changed the way wars were fought. More than thirty nations were involved in each of the two great wars. The fact that this happened in the twentieth century is another clear indication of the end-time Jesus prophesied about. The formation of military alliances such as NATO in 1949 only reinforces this truth.

• Natural phenomena and disasters – ‘There will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places’ – Matthew 24:7

The unusual has now become the norm. The staggering rise in the numbers of earthquakes recorded cannot just be put down to better monitoring. Indeed, a recent study by USGS researchers found that there were more than twice as many “large” earthquakes (defined here as magnitudes 7 or above) in the first quarter of 2014 than there were back in 1979. The planet saw a record number of earthquakes last April, with thirteen quakes with magnitudes of 6.5 or more. There is not space enough to write about famines and pestilences. Constant appeals for money to tackle global famine fill our TV screens. The scientists battle to discover cures for new diseases and pestilences that affect humanity, the animal kingdom and natural world. Some put it down to global warming but others see another prophecy of Jesus clearly being fulfilled. It is time to wake up and realise we are living in the end-times!

• Persecution of Christians – Matthew 24:9-10

Since the death of the Stephen, the first Christian martyr in approximately AD34, more than 70 million Christians have been killed for their faith. Godless leaders have tried to eradicate Christianity only to discover they were the ones who disappeared as Christians multiplied in spite of severe persecution. There is not a country in the world where Christianity is not being proclaimed and where Christians are not being persecuted.

• Jerusalem surrounded by hostile enemy armies – Luke 21:20

This was literally fulfilled in AD70, when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. The historian Josephus records that 1.1 million people died during the siege, the majority being Jews. Millions more were scattered throughout the world. This was the first of the signs to be fulfilled and should make us realise that all the other signs will be too.

• Gentile occupation of Jerusalem – ‘Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled’ – Luke 21:24

For centuries Gentile nations ruled over Jerusalem, but Jesus prophesied that this would only continue until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled. In 1948, the United Nations wanting to impose sanctions on Israel for taking control of Jerusalem, had to recognise it as a sovereign state and so the nation of Israel was reborn in a day. Jerusalem has continued under the control of Israel despite being surrounded by hostile Arab nations determined to do away with the Jews. More than three million Jews have returned and resettled in Israel. This sign is surely the clearest indication that we are living in the end-time generation for this has happened within our lifetime.

• Daniel’s prophecy – Matthew 24:15

This refers to a time in the near future when the Antichrist has set up his image and idol to be worshipped as god. Then the eyes of the Jews will be opened to realise that the one they thought was their Messiah is in fact an imposter. That will herald a time of unprecedented persecution, referred to in the Bible as ‘the time of Jacob’s trouble’.

• Jesus’ literal return to this earth – Matthew 24:30, 36-44

Jesus likened His return to when Noah was on earth and the flood took place. There was impending doom and judgment but for most life went on as normal, as people were unconcerned by Noah’s strange behaviour in building an ark. By the time they realised he had been telling the truth it was too late. Perhaps reading this, you have been guilty of dismissing Christianity as irrelevant or the return of Christ as ridiculous. It’s not too late to do something about it now and get right with God, but one day it will be!

Jesus complained that the religious leaders could tell what weather the following day would bring just by looking at the sky, but seemed incapable of recognising what was happening spiritually – see Matthew 16:2-3. It’s the same today. These eight signs that Jesus prophesied would happen, will be fulfilled in their entirety. Just make sure you do not leave it too late to do anything about it!