48 - THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES
And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? Matthew 24:3
INTRODUCTION
Recently a group of religious believers spent a restless night on Staten Island, New York. According to the prophetic "revelations" received by group members, that particular Saturday evening was the time when the Messiah would return. Obviously, Christ did not return, so the group members eventually returned to their homes anticipating an early explanation of their error by their leader. This incident occurred recently, but judging from the reports of the past several years, a similar situation could repeat itself somewhere during the month you are reading this chapter. Despite the clear teaching of Jesus that no one knows the "day and hour" of his return (Matthew 24:36), many religious sects overstep this limit to biblical revelation and give dates to mark the return of Christ. Some groups, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Seventh-day Adventists have predicted numerous dates over the years only to have to change the date or redefine the event after the fact. With all the fanaticism related to watching for the return of Christ, one might wonder if there are "signs of the times" that do give some warning that Christ might be soon appearing. Jesus said, "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors" (Matthew 24:32-33). Later Jesus stated two words every serious student of Bible prophecy should heed, "Watch therefore" (Matthew 24:42). No one will ever know the date of Jesus’ return until they see him coming in the clouds. Still, there are certain things happening in our world today that suggest the day of his return may be very close. We must be careful to obey the Scriptures and accurately interpret the evidences of Christ’s return without abusing the Scriptures in an attempt to somehow date his coming. THE COURSE OF THIS AGE
Two passages of Scripture present for us a prophetic history of the major trends of our age. When Jesus gave his "kingdom parables," some commentators believe he was chronologically outlining the characteristics of this present age. Later, as Jesus evaluated the seven churches of Asia, he may also have presented a second clue concerning the future history of this church age.
Kingdom parables. Much of the ministry of Jesus during his earthly life was devoted to teaching his disciples. Parables were among his favorite techniques. They enabled him to address a large group, but speak specifically to a smaller group who would understand the real message of the parable. Matthew 13:1-58 records seven such parables in which Jesus sought to teach his disciples "the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 13:11). Here, Jesus outlined the progress of this current age. The following chart lists the seven parables with their central message to the disciples.
Church epistles. When Jesus appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos, the first part of his revelation was to dictate seven THE COURSE OF THIS AGE IN Matthew 13:1-58 Parable of the Sower Matthew 13:1-23 There will be a sowing of the gospel throughout the world.
Parable of the Tares Matthew 13:24-30; Matthew 13:36-43 There will be a counter-sowing by Satan.
Parable of the Mustard Seed Matthew 13:31-32 There will be an outward growth of Christendom, but not necessarily the true church.
Parable of the Leaven Matthew 13:33-35 There will be a permeation of the gospel into all areas of life.
Parable of the Hidden Treasure Matthew 13:44 God will gather to himself a peculiar people.
Parable of the Pearl of Great Price Matthew 13:45-46 Parable of the Dragnet Matthew 13:47-51 God will end the age in judgment. letters to the messenger to seven particular churches in Asia (Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22). There were far more than seven churches in that region but only seven were chosen by Christ to receive messages. The order in which they are presented is also unusual. It is not the normal order in which these churches would be visited by a traveler. Some conservative scholars believe Christ selected these seven churches in this particular order to prophetically suggest the major trends in future church history. The following chart demonstrates how the chief traits of these seven apostolic churches also characterized the major trend of seven periods of church history. In both cases, one could argue that some parables or epistles may overlap, but the major theme illustrates the course of this present age. As one surveys the history of these last THE CHURCH AGE IN Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22 Church Reference Characterization Period Ephesus Revelation 2:1-7 Apostolic church A.D. 33-100 Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11 Persecuted church A.D. 100-316 Pergamos Revelation 2:12-17 Worldly church A.D. 316-500 Thyatira Revelation 2:18-29 Idol-worshiping Middle Ages church Sardis Revelation 3:1-6 Remnant church Reformation Philadelphia Revelation 3:7-13 Revived church Awakenings Laodicea Revelation 3:14-22 Apathetic church Present two millennia it is possible to see how these prophetic illusions may have been fulfilled. One of the signs of Christ’s soon return is the fact that we are at the end of the age according to these two portions of Scripture. God’s final judgment is all that remains to be fulfilled in this age.
ISRAEL AND PROPHECY The energy that keeps God’s prophetic clock running on schedule is the Jewish nation. God’s character demands that he honor his covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-6). Since God promised to give the land of Israel to the seed of Abraham, it is only natural to interpret the return of the Jews as an indication that God’s timetable is coming to an end. The New Testament writers were careful not to confuse the church with Israel, recognizing they each existed as two similar yet distinct groups (1 Corinthians 10:32). As we have watched the establishment and struggles of the State of Israel since 1948, we have seen Bible prophecy fulfilled before our eyes. The gathering of the Jews to a Palestinian homeland is setting the stage for Christ’s return.
Restoration. God told Ezekiel he would bring his people back into the land (Ezekiel 37:11-14). That promise included both the restoration of the Jews to the land that God gave Abraham, and the regeneration of that people in the land. During the past century, we have seen maps drawn outlining the boundaries of David’s kingdom (following World War I) and that kingdom in part given to the Jews (1948). During the Six-Day War of 1967, Jerusalem and other parts of the Jewish homeland were conquered and became a part of the national geography of Israel. When Israel declared Jerusalem her capital during the summer of 1980, yet another step had been taken toward the ultimate fulfillment of those prophecies concerning the restoration of the Jews in Israel.
Regeneration. The second part of Ezekiel’s prophecy concerned the spiritual rebirth of the Jews. God committed himself to restore the people to their land and said, "[I] shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land; then shall ye know that I, the Lord, have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord" (Ezekiel 37:14). Even though some Jews have returned to the land today, they are there in unbelief (Deuteronomy 30:1-3). Many Jews could not be considered good practicing Jews and most are certainly not Christians. The apostle Paul also recognized a future time when "all Israel shall be saved" (Romans 11:26). While some Jews are always being saved throughout the age (Romans 11:5), most are still in spiritual blindness (Romans 11:25). When Jesus returns, the Bible describes a national turning to God. This national regeneration will be the second fulfillment of Ezekiel’s promise. The student of Bible prophecy must always find his authority in the Scriptures, not current events. When Bible teachers such as Drs. H. A. Ironside and C. I. Scofield taught the restoration of Israel to the land at the beginning of this century, their critics could show them maps which did not even have boundaries, let alone Jews, in the place they claimed a nation would someday be reestablished. Fifty years later the tables were turned and the teachings of Ironside and Scofield have been vindicated. Yet, the critics still reject the clear teaching of Scriptures. Present-day "anti-missionary" laws in Israel should not discourage the student of prophetic Scripture from believing in a future revival sweeping the land of Israel. THE GROWTH OF INTERNATIONALISM
We are living in a global community where national borders do not appear as significant in the minds of people as they were even a generation or two ago. Immigration to the Western hemisphere from around the world has produced truly international cities in our land. The television, airplane, and media have greatly contributed to the cosmopolitan spirit of our day. Our society is being prepared to accept the possibility of an international government and ecumenical "state church."
World government. Daniel described the progress of world history in terms of four beasts representing kingdoms. "Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces" (Daniel 7:23). That beast was the Roman Empire, but it will be revived before Christ returns. This revived empire appears to be a world government that will have international control and influence.
John also described the ruler of that kingdom, observing, "It was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations" (Revelation 13:7).
These two writers expected a world leader who would establish a world government. Today, our society appears to be moving back to that position. With many major and minor crises that have confronted world leaders in recent years, an internationalist view of world politics is becoming more popular. Some have cited organizations such as the United Nations and the European Common Market as possible patterns for an international government. It is generally agreed that such a government would demand a strong leader. As we move closer toward conditions which will exist when Jesus returns to earth, we consider them "signs" that his coming is near.
World religion. Religious leaders around the world today are eagerly hoping to establish a greater ecumenical attitude among their followers even to the end of establishing a unified church which could include all the various sects of Christianity. Some have even suggested this church should be tolerant of and include members of Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, and other non-Christian sects.
While cooperation between churches is good and a spirit of unity among Christian leaders is a biblical goal, the current religious ecumenical movement does not fit the biblical pattern for the church of Jesus Christ. It is only biblical in that it is the fulfillment of prophetic Scriptures. John calls it a "harlot church" in his vision on the Isle of Patmos (Revelation 17:1; Revelation 18:24). It was a harlot in that it prostituted its doctrine and standards of purity by compromising with the world. The harlot church is actually guilty of opposing and aggressively seeking to destroy the true followers of Christ, those who practice biblical Christianity. This coming church will probably carry on the ancient pagan custom of interrelating the church and state into a single institution. Presumably, an international state church could be the official religion of the world and the chief religious leader would also be the chief political leader. He would be the Antichrist. Except in a few Islamic republics, the union of political and religious government is not practiced today as in the past. But as many things come full cycle, this future harlot church would be the state religion of the international state.
SUPPORTIVE CONDITIONS
Man’s self-destruction. Certain conditions exist in the world today that could end civilization or destroy life as we know it. The threat of atomic annihilation is a possibility as well as the possibility of polluting ourselves out of existence, or populating ourselves into mass starvation. Of course, these will not happen because the Bible teaches Christ will end this age. He will not allow man to destroy himself. But the rapid acceleration of these dangers implies that Christ will return before they run their natural course.
Implied signs. Other conditions in the Scripture imply the return of the Lord. However, it is difficult to give an objective identification to them, so we are not sure they are "signs." Paul noted, "in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Some of these conditions have been true in every age, as they were in Timothy’s day. But others seem more evident in these last times, such as the pleasure-seekers, those with a form of godliness but no power, and those disobedient to parents. These supportive conditions are only mentioned by inference and should not be considered the strong arguments for the signs of the times. But their appearance in Scripture meant they could not be left off the list.
CONCLUSION When the robins begin to sing and flowers start to come up out of the ground, we know summer is near. When the trees begin to lose their colored leaves and the days grow shorter, we instinctively know winter is near. When we see our world conforming to the conditions which exist at the coming of Christ described in the prophetic Scriptures, we can know we are rapidly approaching the end of the church age. The Christian who realizes the truth that Christ may return even today will seek to do all he can before Christ comes. True Christians will recognize the importance of accomplishing the will of God in daily life.
DAILY READINGS Monday: Matthew 24:1-14 Tuesday: Matthew 24:15-28 Wednesday: Matthew 24:29-41 Thursday: Matthew 24:42 - Matthew 25:13 Friday: Matthew 25:14-30 Saturday: Matthew 25:31-46 Sunday: Revelation 2:1 - Revelation 3:22