Introduction: We live in a day of relativity. Nothing is absolute. When someone dogmatically declares something is absolute, it is repulsive to our nature. To declare that Jesus Christ IS coming as a fact is true whether or not we want to accept it.
If you have a Bible, turn to Matthew 24 and let's see how Jesus Christ answered the question, "What shall be the sign of thy coming?" (verse 3)
He Indicated 9 Things To Look For:
1. Wars and Rumors of War (verse 6)
Read a newspaper lately? Read anything about wars going on or threat of war? Heard of any "peace talks" taking place? What about the potential of nuclear war? Star Wars? What comes to your mind when you hear these names: Lebanon, Syria, Nicaragua, South Africa, Central America, Israel?
We've been told for 25 years that Humanism, given enough time, would solve all of the world's problems. Its failure is evident, as the human race is nearing self-destruction faster than ever. Wars and/or rumors of wars tells us that Jesus Christ is coming soon.
2. Natural Disasters
Verse 7 says, ". . . and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in (many) places."
"Killer bees in California? Already? I thought they weren't supposed to be there for 4 more years!" A lady made this statement recently.
The famine in Ethiopia is 17 years old now. Even the evil rock-n-roll music machine was used to generate funds for the famine stricken with their "live aid" concert recently. We should thank God every day for letting us live in America we've been so blessed. However, drought, uncontrollable fires and lack of precipitation is taking its toll on millions of acres of American soil.
Looking up "earthquakes" in my 1979 World Almanac I found that 50 of the largest 70 earthquakes in the past 1500 years have taken place in the past century. Less than a decade ago in Tongshan, China, 655,235 deaths occurred in a moment because of an earthquake. An increase in natural disasters tells us that Jesus Christ is coming soon.
3. Persecution of True Christians (verse 9)
Real Bible-believing Christians are having a hard time today practicing their faith here in America. The IRS can now take away a church's tax exemption if their practice conflicts with "public policy" (Bob Jones University case). Much "public policy" is diametrically opposed to Bible policy.
Christian parents are having children taken from them because they refuse to allow their children to attend the church of Humanism (usually called the public school). Christians can't feed on their menus of Evolution, Amorality, Values Clarification, Behavior Modification, Sex Indoctrination (disguised as "education") and Situation Ethics. It is distasteful to Christianity! Masses of Americans are turning to Christian schools so . . . Christian schools are under attack in many states because they won't take a license from the state. The states of Nebraska and Iowa in particular have been pounded with pressure from the courts. One Pastor, Everett Sileven, was put in jail and his church padlocked because he wouldn't take a license. The power to license is the power to control. God allows the state to exist, the state doesn't allow God to exist. Did you know it was the same issue that drove the Pilgrims out of England RELIGIOUS FREEDOM?
4. Break Down Of The Family
"And then many shall be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another (verse 10). Verse 37 of this chapter, Matthew 24, says that conditions would be the same as in Noah's day. What was that like? Luke 17:27 adds, "They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage . . . and the flood came and destroyed them all."
Nobody has to prove that we live in a day of divorce, separation, child beating, wife beating, incest and rebellion against parents. Life-styles of adultery and cheating in marriage are joked about and glorified on TV and movies. "Fools make a mock at sin." Jesus is coming.
5. Apostasy of Religion
The word "deceive" is found in verses 5,11 and 24, all in regards to the subject of Religion in the last days. I am appalled at the number of "churches" today that conduct their own beer blasts, gambling halls and charge people money to get their sins forgiven. The GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST and REPENTANCE are not preached. The Bible and its standards of holiness are watered down to a point where sin is fashionable. II Thessalonians 2:3 says, ". . . for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away (apostasy} first . . ." People go to church for one hour and act like angels and then live like the devil for the other 167 hours of the week. Then they talk about how GOOD Christians they are and how pleased God must be with them. Hypocrisy! The apostasy has come. The coming of the Lord draweth near!
6. Sexual Perversion
Now skipping our study from Matthew 24 to Luke 17:28, 30. It says, "As it was in the days of Lot . . . thus shall it be in the day when the son of man is revealed." What were the days like as Lot lived in Sodom? A study of Genesis 19 reveals that the men of that city were homosexuals. Romans 1:27 says, "And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the women, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working that which is unseemly and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was fitting.
Pedophilia reveals just how far our world has degenerated. Jesus said it would be better for a man to have a millstone hung about his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea, than that he abuse a child! These perverts are found in every class of people and try to say this is natural. Judgement Day's coming! Beware, sexual perversion is a sure sign of the return of Christ.
7. Perplexity of Nations and People
"And there shall be . . . distress of nations, with perplexity . . . men's hearts failing them for fear . . ." Luke 21:25 - 26
"It can't get any worse, can it; it's got to get better, doesn't it?" someone asks. All my life I've seen it get worse, wondering when the turn around was going to happen. There doesn't seem to be much indication of it being around the corner either. As long as man continues to reject God, the Bible and the Saviour, he can expect nothing but distress, perplexity and fear!
Nobody knows how to solve the world's problems. Yes, Christ is coming soon; all signs point to it!
8. Scoffers
Some reading this might be laughing. Others believe that all of the Lord's predictions were coincidences or luck. People like that are also a sure sign of the Lord's return. 2 Peter 3:3, 4, says, ". . . In the last days shall come scoffers walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming?" Scoffers increase my faith in the Lord's words when He said, "I will come again."
9. Because He Said He Would
This is all I need. God said it, that settles it! Everything He ever said came true! All of His predictions concerning His first coming came true, why shouldn't I believe in His second coming? Matthew 24:35: "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away . . ."
Conclusion:
Friend, are you ready to meet God, should Jesus come today? Concerning all these signs that we've studied, Jesus said this, "So likewise ye, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your LORD DOTH COME" Matthew 24:33; 34; 42.
When should I get ready to meet the Lord? II Corinthians 6:2 says, "Now is the accepted time; behold NOW is the day of salvation." Concerning salvation God never says wait! Do it now! Be saved. How? "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13). Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, rose again and is alive forever more. He loves you and wants to be your personal Saviour. Will you trust in Him alone to save you? Religion, morals, good works, or doing the best you can will leave you short of the righteousness that God demands of us to go to Heaven. Only Christ's blood can satisfy God's wrath against your sin. Our only hope is to trust in what Christ has DONE, not is what we can do. Will you call on the Lord today and call upon Him today?
