A Summary of the Signs of His Coming
By H.
1. Before the Saviour comes again, what must be accomplished? “This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14. 2. The Gospel of the kingdom includes the message of a returning Redeemer. “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of Jehovah cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” Joel 2:1. 3. What signs are to be found in the religious world? “The Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.” 1 Tim. 4:1. “Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof.” 2 Tim. 3:5. 4. How is the financial condition described? “Know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money.” 2 Tim. 3:1, 2. “Come now, ye rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you. . . . Ye have laid up your treasures in the last days.” James 5:1-3. 5. How will the nations of earth be engaged in the last days? “Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. . . . For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” Matt. 24:6, 7. “Proclaim ye this among the nations; prepare war; stir up the mighty men; let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.” Joel 3:9, 10. 6. In spite of the fact that the nations fondly hope and work for universal peace, what warning do the prophets give? “When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.” 1 Thess. 5:3. “Thus saith Jehovah concerning the prophets that prophesy in My name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in the land: By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.” Jer. 14:15. 7. Where will still other signs be displayed? “I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth.” Joel 2:30. 8. What signs have already been seen in the heavens? “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of Jehovah cometh.” Joel 2:30, 31. “The sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven.” Matt. 24:29. 9. What of the signs in the earth? The earth “shall wax old like a garment” (Ps. 102:26); “there shall be famines and earthquakes in divers places” (Matt. 24:7); “the heavens and the earth shall shake” (Joel 3:16). These signs in the earth, were more fully considered in the study of last week. Famines and earthquakes, in themselves, are not signs, but their wonderful increase in frequency and destructive power, with the many other accidents which result from the giving way of the crumbling earth, does constitute a sign of the soon-coming dissolution of things earthly. Heaven and earth, and men and nations, display the signs of the greatest event of earth’s history. The written word of God has revealed His purpose; His created works fulfil His word; the “fulness of time” has come, and the message has almost circled the earth—“then shall the end come.” H.