Signs of the Kingdom Near
It was to these things that our Saviour referred in the text quoted at the beginning of these notes. When the fig-tree, "and all the trees," says Luke (21:29), puts forth leaves "ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand." No one needs to consult an almanac when he sees such signs; every one knows that they are sure precursors of spring. "So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand." Luke 21:31. Matthew (24:33) records it: "Know that it is near, even at the doors." We are not to guess, nor to imagine, but to know. We are commanded to be just as sure of it as we are that summer is near when the buds begin to swell. Who then can say that it is fanaticism to say that we know that the Lord is soon coming? To doubt that his coming is near would be to make Christ a liar. Let us not be found so doing.