04 Apr '05 00:43>2 edits
3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to
him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what
will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and
all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of
Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will
gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to
the other.
32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get
tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[d]is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation[e] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Matthew
Jesus promised His disciples and those who believe in Him that though He had to leave for a time (so subsequent generations could be saved), that He would return. He told us to watch for signs, so that we wouldn't be caught unprepared. All throughout the OT and NT, warnings of what the last days would be like are given. And because He wanted everyone to be prepared, He gave the Apostle John a stunning revelation of the end times in 95 A.D., as he was being held prisoner on the island of Patmos.
In the quote given above, some atheists (and even "Christians!) make the mistake of thinking Jesus was referring to the generation alive when He gave the warnings. But He did not say 'your' generation, He said 'this', and only the generation that saw ALL of the signs!
In the most revealing part of His warning, He gave a parable of a fig
tree. When it begins to bloom, you know that it is spring, and will
soon be summer. Likewise, when the signs begin to come at a faster and faster pace, we can all know that our Lord's imminent return is soon.
But the fig tree parable, like everything God Incarnate said, had a double meaning. All throughout the Bible, Israel is referred to as a 'fig tree'. The Lord, who had already foretold Jerusalem's
destruction, foretold that when Israel became a nation again after
being dispersed, the generation that saw this would not die before He
returned.
In 1948, Israel became a nation after nearly two millenia of being a
scattered people. In another stunning fulfillment of prophecy, it
became a nation in one day, as the prophet Ezekiel foretold.In more fulfillment of prophecy, Jews poured in from every continent on
Earth (except Antarctica), coming from as far West as North America, as far East as China and Japan, as far South as South Africa, and as far North as Siberia. Today, over 5,000,000 Jews live in Israel, compared to a few thousand in the late 1800's.
Here's is a layout of how we can know we are in the end times:
1.
False Bible teachers would be money hungry.
They would be smooth talkers, have many followers,
and slur the Christian faith
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as
there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce
destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought
them–bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow
their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have
made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their
destruction has not been sleeping. 2nd Peter 1-3
2.
Mankind would be capable of destroying all life. Consider that when
Jesus made this prediction the armaments of His day were swords and
spears. But today, with nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, it
is possible to wipe out all flesh on planet earth.
21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the
beginning of the world until now–and never to be equaled again. 22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. Matthew 24:21-22
3.
The use of nuclear weapons anticipated.
The neutron bomb melts (dissolves) its victims -
just as Zechariah predicted 2500 years ago.
12 This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the
nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they
are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets,
and their tongues will rot in their mouths. Zechariah 14:12
4.
There would be a global cry for peace.
3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will
come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 1st Thessalonians 5:3
5.
The Antichrist would use (false) peace to destroy many. With all the
problems facing mankind, multitudes are looking for a "savior" to usher
in peace and prosperity without moral accountability. The Antichrist
will promise the world such a peace if they follow him - but his
intentions will be sinister.
23 "In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become
completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will
arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will
cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. 25 He will cause
deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they
feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.
Daniel 8:23-25
6.
Damascus would be destroyed. Damascus, Syria is increasingly in the
news and is extremely anti-Semitic. Many terrorist organizations have
their bases in Damascus. God declares that they will become a ruinous heap because they have violently taken what was not theirs.
1 An oracle concerning Damascus:
"See, Damascus will no longer be a city
but will become a heap of ruins." Isaiah 17:1
23 Concerning Damascus:
"Hamath and Arpad are dismayed,
for they have heard bad news.
They are disheartened,
troubled like the restless sea.
24 Damascus has become feeble,
she has turned to flee
and panic has gripped her;
anguish and pain have seized her,
pain like that of a woman in labor.
25 Why has the city of renown not been abandoned,
the town in which I delight?
26 Surely, her young men will fall in the streets;
all her soldiers will be silenced in that day,"
declares the LORD Almighty.
27 "I will set fire to the walls of Damascus;
it will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad." Jeremiah
49:23-27
3 This is what the LORD says:
"For three sins of Damascus,
even for four, I will not turn back my wrath .
Because she threshed Gilead
with sledges having iron teeth,
4 I will send fire upon the house of Hazael
that will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad.
5 I will break down the gate of Damascus;
I will destroy the king who is in the Valley of Aven
and the one who holds the scepter in Beth Eden.
The people of Aram will go into exile to Kir,"
says the LORD . Amost 1:3-5
7.
Chaotic weather would be prevalent. Jesus foresaw "the seas and the
waves roaring" in the last days. He also likened these signs to birth
pangs. The Greek word odin, often translated as sorrows in
Matthew 24:8, literally means birth pangs.
25“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth,
nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing
of the sea. 26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is
coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. Luke
21:25-26
8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. Matthew 24
Furthermore, the apostle Paul reminded us that the creation itself will
be delivered from the curse at the end of the age. And that the "the
whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs".
21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to
decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:21-22
As delivery draws near, birth pangs always increase in both intensity
and frequency. Therefore, the creation itself would travail as the time
of delivery draws near. Of course chaotic weather has always existed,
but there are indications that we are witnessing an increase in strange
weather.
8.
Global communications foreseen. The Bible predicts that the entire
world will "see" certain events unfold. The invention of the television
and the deployment of global satellite networks during the 20th century allow news to travel the world at the speed of light for the first time ever. Remember that in the apostle John's day, news traveled at the speed of horseback.
9 For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. Revelation 11:9-10
[b]8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up
out of the Abyss and
him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what
will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and
all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of
Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will
gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to
the other.
32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get
tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it[d]is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation[e] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Matthew
Jesus promised His disciples and those who believe in Him that though He had to leave for a time (so subsequent generations could be saved), that He would return. He told us to watch for signs, so that we wouldn't be caught unprepared. All throughout the OT and NT, warnings of what the last days would be like are given. And because He wanted everyone to be prepared, He gave the Apostle John a stunning revelation of the end times in 95 A.D., as he was being held prisoner on the island of Patmos.
In the quote given above, some atheists (and even "Christians!) make the mistake of thinking Jesus was referring to the generation alive when He gave the warnings. But He did not say 'your' generation, He said 'this', and only the generation that saw ALL of the signs!
In the most revealing part of His warning, He gave a parable of a fig
tree. When it begins to bloom, you know that it is spring, and will
soon be summer. Likewise, when the signs begin to come at a faster and faster pace, we can all know that our Lord's imminent return is soon.
But the fig tree parable, like everything God Incarnate said, had a double meaning. All throughout the Bible, Israel is referred to as a 'fig tree'. The Lord, who had already foretold Jerusalem's
destruction, foretold that when Israel became a nation again after
being dispersed, the generation that saw this would not die before He
returned.
In 1948, Israel became a nation after nearly two millenia of being a
scattered people. In another stunning fulfillment of prophecy, it
became a nation in one day, as the prophet Ezekiel foretold.In more fulfillment of prophecy, Jews poured in from every continent on
Earth (except Antarctica), coming from as far West as North America, as far East as China and Japan, as far South as South Africa, and as far North as Siberia. Today, over 5,000,000 Jews live in Israel, compared to a few thousand in the late 1800's.
Here's is a layout of how we can know we are in the end times:
1.
False Bible teachers would be money hungry.
They would be smooth talkers, have many followers,
and slur the Christian faith
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as
there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce
destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought
them–bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow
their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have
made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their
destruction has not been sleeping. 2nd Peter 1-3
2.
Mankind would be capable of destroying all life. Consider that when
Jesus made this prediction the armaments of His day were swords and
spears. But today, with nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, it
is possible to wipe out all flesh on planet earth.
21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the
beginning of the world until now–and never to be equaled again. 22 If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. Matthew 24:21-22
3.
The use of nuclear weapons anticipated.
The neutron bomb melts (dissolves) its victims -
just as Zechariah predicted 2500 years ago.
12 This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the
nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they
are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets,
and their tongues will rot in their mouths. Zechariah 14:12
4.
There would be a global cry for peace.
3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will
come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 1st Thessalonians 5:3
5.
The Antichrist would use (false) peace to destroy many. With all the
problems facing mankind, multitudes are looking for a "savior" to usher
in peace and prosperity without moral accountability. The Antichrist
will promise the world such a peace if they follow him - but his
intentions will be sinister.
23 "In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become
completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will
arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will
cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. 25 He will cause
deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they
feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.
Daniel 8:23-25
6.
Damascus would be destroyed. Damascus, Syria is increasingly in the
news and is extremely anti-Semitic. Many terrorist organizations have
their bases in Damascus. God declares that they will become a ruinous heap because they have violently taken what was not theirs.
1 An oracle concerning Damascus:
"See, Damascus will no longer be a city
but will become a heap of ruins." Isaiah 17:1
23 Concerning Damascus:
"Hamath and Arpad are dismayed,
for they have heard bad news.
They are disheartened,
troubled like the restless sea.
24 Damascus has become feeble,
she has turned to flee
and panic has gripped her;
anguish and pain have seized her,
pain like that of a woman in labor.
25 Why has the city of renown not been abandoned,
the town in which I delight?
26 Surely, her young men will fall in the streets;
all her soldiers will be silenced in that day,"
declares the LORD Almighty.
27 "I will set fire to the walls of Damascus;
it will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad." Jeremiah
49:23-27
3 This is what the LORD says:
"For three sins of Damascus,
even for four, I will not turn back my wrath .
Because she threshed Gilead
with sledges having iron teeth,
4 I will send fire upon the house of Hazael
that will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad.
5 I will break down the gate of Damascus;
I will destroy the king who is in the Valley of Aven
and the one who holds the scepter in Beth Eden.
The people of Aram will go into exile to Kir,"
says the LORD . Amost 1:3-5
7.
Chaotic weather would be prevalent. Jesus foresaw "the seas and the
waves roaring" in the last days. He also likened these signs to birth
pangs. The Greek word odin, often translated as sorrows in
Matthew 24:8, literally means birth pangs.
25“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth,
nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing
of the sea. 26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is
coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. Luke
21:25-26
8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. Matthew 24
Furthermore, the apostle Paul reminded us that the creation itself will
be delivered from the curse at the end of the age. And that the "the
whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs".
21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to
decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 8:21-22
As delivery draws near, birth pangs always increase in both intensity
and frequency. Therefore, the creation itself would travail as the time
of delivery draws near. Of course chaotic weather has always existed,
but there are indications that we are witnessing an increase in strange
weather.
8.
Global communications foreseen. The Bible predicts that the entire
world will "see" certain events unfold. The invention of the television
and the deployment of global satellite networks during the 20th century allow news to travel the world at the speed of light for the first time ever. Remember that in the apostle John's day, news traveled at the speed of horseback.
9 For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. Revelation 11:9-10
[b]8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up
out of the Abyss and