Signs of Jesus' Coming
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Signs of Jesus' Coming ...and the End of the World

by James Mattison

"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." - 2 Peter 3:13

Almighty God plans to send his Son Jesus back to the earth to bring in the "time of restitution of all things" (Acts 3:21). Before Jesus returns, certain signs are to be seen, which shall show that Jesus' coming is certain and soon. God said that he would do nothing without first revealing it to his prophets (Amos 3:7). So it is for us to search the writings of the prophets if we desire to be informed as to what is in store for this age and if we desire to know how soon the "new heavens and earth" will come.

These prophecies of the end-time can be divided into three categories: fulfilled prophecies, partly fulfilled prophecies, and prophecies yet to be fulfilled. As we see God's Word come to pass our faith is strengthened, our fears are allayed, and we find present-day peace in the hope of the new world to come, called in the Bible "the kingdom of God."

Let us notice some of the

Fulfilled Prophecies

1. The nation of Israel was to be back in existence in Palestine before the end of this age (Ezek. 38:8-18; Jer. 30:1-11). This has been fulfilled. May 15, 1948, Israel became a nation again, after nineteen hundred years of dispersion. How surely God's Word has come to pass! Israel is now in a position for other end-time prophecies to be fulfilled.

2. The land of Palestine was to be parted (partitioned) by all nations (United Nations) before Christ comes (Joel 3:2). This also was fulfilled May 15, 1948, when the United Nations divided Palestine between Jew and Arab. None but GOD could have foreseen this!

3. Another strange prophecy fulfilled is that of Isaiah 66:7, 8 - a nation was born at once, brought forth in one day. Has any other nation ever had such a beginning? One peculiar thing about the beginning of the State of Israel was that she came into existence overnight. This event was to take place after the Man-Child came, but before Israel's travail or trouble (v. 7; Jer. 30:7).

4. Confederacies against the new nation by the Arabs were predicted (Psa. 83:1-8). "They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation." Among those mentioned are Edom, Moab, and Ammon (Jordan), the Philistines (Gaza Strip), Tyre (Lebanon), and Ashur (Iraq and Iran). God has not been silent in these wars against his ancient people (v. 1), for Israel, with the help of God, has amazed the world with her swift and decisive victories.

5. Micah 7:16. "The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might." The whole world was astounded in June, 1967, when Israel, in six days, defeated the combined Arab might. This was another sign from God.

6. The Egyptian treasury is now mortgaged to Russia for many years to come, as God said would happen in the last days (Dan. 11:43). "He [the king of the north] shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt." Egypt is in debt to Russia for war materials for use against Israel. How naturally these prophecies are falling into place, all of them signs of the soon coming of the New Day.

Let us turn now to several

Prophecies Being Fulfilled

1. Isaiah 11:15 was partly fulfilled in June, 1967, when Israel flew on the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west (Gaza Strip); and spoiled them of the east together, Edom, Moab, and Ammon (Jordan). By a concerted four-way offensive, Israel defeated her enemies. The eastern offensive also took care of the north, while the western offensive also swept to the south. Yet this prophecy is not completely fulfilled, for Jordan does not "obey" Israel yet. Neither has the Nile River been dried up in the seven streams (delta).

2. Iran going over to Russia (Ezek. 38:5). Persia (Iran) is to be on the side of the northern power which will invade Palestine in the last days. For years we wondered how this would take place. Now we have seen it begin, and so naturally! Iran wanted a steel mill. The U.S. would not give her one. But Russia did! So Iran's sympathies are turning to Russia. God foresaw all this. This is another link in the chain of signs showing Christ's coming is drawing near, for the context of all these prophecies we are mentioning deals with end-of-the-world events.

3. Increased education and travel (Dan. 12:4). "Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." The world has learned more concerning medicine, mathematics, space travel, etc., since 1900 than it learned from Adam till 1900 (6,000 years). Education is practically a must in order to find work today. Many are "running to and fro" today. Man is now advancing toward the speed of some of the asteroids (70,000-mph). Increased speed and knowledge were to come before the great tribulation and the resurrection (vv. 1-3). We are certainly seeing some of this today.

4. The ten kings of Daniel 7 are arising on the north shores of the Mediterranean, just as God said they would. This group of ten nations are to exist right at the very end (Dan. 7) and will fight Christ when he comes (Rev. 17:12-14). We feel the European Economic Community (European Common Market) is the beginning of the ten kings.

Watch the Common Market!

There are certain signs yet to come. We call them

Prophecies Yet to be Fulfilled

1. The Jewish temple is to be rebuilt, and the sacrifices resumed (Dan. 8; 9:27; 2 Thess. 2:4; Rev. 11:1, 2).

2. The temple will be destroyed and the sacrifices stopped, and antichrist will set up there the abomination (perhaps an idol) that will bring about the great desolation (Dan. 8, 9, 11, 12; Matt. 24:15, 21).

3. At that time there will be great tribulation, such as the world has never seen (Matt. 24:15, 21;Mark 13:14, 19; Dan. 12:1).

4. Also future, a powerful northern force is to invade the "glorious land," Palestine (Dan. 11:40-45; Ezek. 38, 39; Joel 2:20).

5. Ethiopia and Libya, as well as Iran, will be on the side of the northern king (Dan. 11:43; Ezek. 38:5). Watch Ethiopia and Libya!

6. When the northern king is sitting in his palace in Jerusalem "tidings out of the east [Red China?] and out of the north [rebellion back home?] shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many" (Dan. 11:45). Sounds like atomic bombs. Against the U.S.? Not here, but notice Matthew 24:22 and Mark 13:20.

7. The kings of the east (Red China?) shall come to Palestine (Rev. 16:12-16) and have their part in "the battle of that great day of God Almighty" at Armageddon.

8. An ungodly power (not a nation, but an ungodly influence such as Communism) is to have worldwide power at the end for three and one-half years - "forty and two months" (Rev. 13:1-8). Working with this ungodly force will be the false prophet (Rev. 13:11-18; 19:20), who will deceive many on earth with his mighty miracles. He shall declare that all must receive the mark of the beast. He, also, shall have worldwide power (with a world church?).

9. After the great tribulation, there shall be signs, in the sun, moon, and stars (Matt. 24:29; Rev. 6:12; Joel 2:31; 3:15; Isa. 13:9-13). The sun shall be darkened (by a cloud? Ezek. 32:7,8). God's wrath for sin is near at this time.

10. Jesus will come in power and glory with all the holy angels and stand on the Mount of Olives (Matt. 24:30; Zech. 14:4). The armies of earth shall fight against him (Rev. 19:11-21). Jesus shall be victorious and shall reign over earth a thousand years (Rev. 20; 5:10), after which he is to turn the perfect kingdom over to God, that God may be all in all (1 Cor. 15: 22-28).

How wonderful, how marvelous, are the things that God has in store for them that love him! These troublesome days ahead will test us as we have never been tested before. If we keep our eyes on the goal - the coming eternal kingdom of God - our faith will be strong, our fears will be relieved, and in peace we will live the Christian life of righteousness and love, waiting for the soon coming of our dear Lord, who will save us, and give us eternal life in God's glorious kingdom.

Friend, will you be ready then?

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