3.10.2021
But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels in heaven, but my father only. (Matthew 24:36)
Last week we talked about the Rapture. This refers to the soon and sudden return of Christ to gather to Himself all those dead and alive who have placed their faith in Him.
Today we wish to consider some of the signs which point to His coming. There are eight primary signs. We will look at four of these today.
Before we look at them, however, let us not get so concerned about the signs that we forget about the focus of it all— the Lord Jesus Christ. We are told to: Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10b). It is vital that you know Him, that you come to Him in repentance and faith while there is time.
First, and foremost, there is the sign of the nation of Israel. Since the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in AD 70, the final revolt some years later, and the subsequent scattering of the Jewish people, there had not been a nation of Israel for almost 2000 years. But on May 14, 1948, the new Star of David flag was raised, and since that day, Israel has taken its place once again among the kingdom of the nations of the world. This is a partial fulfillment of Bible prophecy, given by Ezekiel, some 2500 years ago (Ezekiel 34:11-13). Israek is the single most important sign that we are indeed in the last days.
We will press on this a little bit because many of my readers have likely been taught that Israel is of no consequence today. The word is that since Israel rejected their Messiah, God has fully and finally rejected them. Untrue! The Bible is very clear that God chose the nation of Israel as a unique nation for His purpose (Deuteronomy 7:6-8). The eminent purpose is the Messiah (Genesis 12:3).
As a nation Israel has been, and will be, the focal point among the nations of the earth (Ezekiel 5:5). Jerusalem will be the place of Jesus’ throne one day in His Kingdom (Zechariah 8:3). Israel is vitally important to God and central to Bible prophecy.
The second sign would be other nations, Gentile nations, and their relationship to the nation of Israel. Among other places, we find a list of these in Ezekiel 38, 39. As we read and listen to the news, these nations are often mentioned in connection with Israel. They include: Iran, Iraq, Russia, Turkey, Libya, and Germany. Each of these, and others, has a place in Bible prophecy to come. It is no surprise that they are prominent in today’s news!
Third would be wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6, 7a). And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. (7) For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ‘Wars’ would likely refer to the two major World Wars. ‘Nation against nation’ might refer to conflicts such as those in Korea and Vietnam. The rumors would refer to the minor skirmishes that occur regularly, such as in Syria, the constant attacks upon Israel, and the conflicts in and among various African nations. War has been a part of this planet since the days of Abraham, and will continue to be so.
We have looked at three biblical signs that point to Jesus’ coming. We have five more to go, and these we will attempt to consider next time.