Saturday, November 9, 2013
Matthew 24:11-14 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
SIGNS OF CHRIST'S RETURN
The Bible speaks of many different signs that indicate the return of Christ and the Last Judgment are approaching. Some of these signs are found in nature: earthquakes, floods, storms, eclipses, etc. Others are signs associated with man's doings: wars, rumors of war, famine, unrighteousness in business or politics. Still other signs touch directly on what is going on in the visible church: false teachers, hypocrisy, love growing cold, the Antichrist being revealed, people falling away from the faith.
Since Christ tells us that the end will come as a surprise, we know that these signs are NOT meant to help us identify the specific date that the Father has set as Judgment Day.
Many of these signs are things that have been going on since sin entered the world. But that doesn't change the fact that they are signs meant to remind us that the end is near. Like a body beset with a terminal disease, ever since sin entered the world the world has been showing symptoms that the end is drawing closer.
God's purpose in providing these reminders is to maintain a sense of urgency in the hearts of his followers. Whenever we see these signs we ought to think, "There's another sign. Am I ready? If Christ were to appear today, is my heart prepared to meet him?"
Scripture not only provides signs of the end, it also contains instructions on how to be ready. And they're pretty simple. Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life" (John 5:24).
