WORDS OF LIFE SERIES 6
Are not these signs evident in a very marked degree today? Do not these world
BIBLE STUDY NOTES STUDIES IN BIBLE
signs proclaim the nearness of our Lord’s return?
PROPHECY
by Francis W. Dixon 2. THE CHURCH SIGNS
(1) The increase of apostasy – 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1;
Study 5 SIGNS OF HIS COMING 2 Timothy 4:3-4.
(2) Hypocrisy and much empty profession – 2 Timothy 3:5.
In our last study we saw that the “blessed hope” of the Christian is the personal (3) Lukewarmness in the Church – Matthew 24:12; Revelation 3:14-20.
return of Christ, and that He will return first into the air for His own (1 Thessalonians (4) Many who scoff at the Truth – 2 Peter 3:3-4.
4:17), and then to the earth with His own (Jude 14; Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1:11). (5) False prophets and a great increase in false religions and demonism (the
Now, is there any way in which we can receive guidance as to when He will come? occult) – Matthew 24:11; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-
We would, of course, be foolish and wrong to try to fix the exact day and hour of His 10; 2 Peter 2:1-2.
return (Zechariah 14:7; Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32; Acts 1:6-7), but the Word of (6) Much persecution of the faithful ones – Matthew 24:9-10; Mark 13:9-13.
God mentions certain signs or indications that we are nearing the end of the present (7) Worldwide evangelism – Mark 13:10.
age – look up Luke 21:28. The Lord Jesus, the Old Testament prophets and the
apostles all foretold that certain events would take place on the earth and in the Do you not agree that these signs are evident in a very marked degree today? Do
Church which would herald the second advent. Just as the appearance of John the not these church signs proclaim the nearness of our Lord’s return?
Baptist was the token that Jesus the Messiah was about to be revealed the first
time (Isaiah 40:3), so today the presence of certain unmistakable signs in the 3. THE JEWISH SIGNS
Church and in the world tell us that His second coming is near at hand. Please read Luke 21:29-33. In this scripture our Lord compares the Jewish nation
to a fig tree, and He tells us that when the fig tree begins to bud and bear fruit we
Strictly speaking, there are no “signs” connected with the rapture of believers, which may be sure that His coming again is near at hand.
is the first phase of the return of Christ; the coming of the Lord into the air for His
saints is always proposed as the imminent hope of the Church (Philippians 3:20; 1 The budding of the fig tree is taking place today.
Thessalonians 1:10). “Signs” only have to do with His return in power and glory, to Over the past 30 years, the Jews have been returning to Israel in fulfilment of
reign as the Son of Man; but seeing that the coming of the Lord for His people must many prophecies – Isaiah 11:11-12; Ezekiel 36:24; 37:21; Jeremiah 23:3-8;
precede His coming with His people, it follows that if the signs of His return in glory 32:37-41; Amos 9:14-15; Luke 21:24.
“are shaping themselves visibly before our eyes and tell us that His return is not far “Jews from all parts of the world have been regathering in the land of Israel. Week
off, the rapture must be much nearer.” by week, month by month, by ship and plane, great throngs of the sons and
daughters of Abraham have been arriving at the ports of Israel.”
If we take our Bible and make a careful study of the scripture references tabulated
below, we shall discover that (1) The World Signs; (2) The Church Signs and (3) There are wonderful industrial, agricultural and cultural developments in Israel,
The Jewish Signs all proclaim the Lord’s coming to be near at hand. in fulfilment of prophecy -–Isaiah 35:1-10; Jeremiah 30:18-22; 31:7-14;
Zechariah 14:9-11; Hosea 3:4-5.
1. THE WORLD SIGNS
(1) An increase of sin and lawlessness and conditions similar to the days of Noah This is a truly significant Jewish sign that proclaims the nearness of our Lord’s
and Lot – 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Luke 17:26-30; Genesis 6:11. return.
(2) Great national distress, perplexity and fear – Luke 21:25-26 and, in particular,
the fear of nuclear war – Matthew 24:3-6; 2 Peter 3:10. As you study and meditate upon the above scripture portions, is it not clear that we
(3) Famine, pestilence and earthquakes – Matthew 24:7. are living at the end of the present age and that we are justified in believing that "the
(4) Labour problems, strikes and widespread commercial and industrial unrest – Lord’s coming is near”? (James 5:8). This truth is at the same time most glorious
Zechariah 8:10; James 5:4. and most solemn. It is glorious for all who know Him and who are trusting Him as
(5) An amazing increase in travel and knowledge – Daniel 12:4; Nahum 2:3-4; their Lord and Saviour, but it is terribly solemn for those who do not know Him, who
Isaiah 31:5; 60:8. have never turned to Him in repentance and faith. Please conclude this study by
(6) The amassing of wealth – James 5:1-3. looking up Isaiah 55:6-7.
(7) Much talk of peace, and the holding of peace conferences – 1 Thessalonians WORDS OF LIFE MINISTRIES
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