Signs of the Second Coming of Christ by Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jun 7, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 23.

Signs of the Second Coming of Christ

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

EDUCATION IN THE HOME. NO. 4.

Signs of the Second Coming of Christ.

BY MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE.

JUST as grandma had finished quoting her verse, the doorbell rang. "Good evening, Neighbor Jones; we were just about in the midst of our family Bible study. I suppose you will join us for a few moments. Elsie, please hand Mr. Jones a Bible."

"I didn't mean to intrude, Mr. Hartman, but I hardly think a little Bible study will hurt me any. I'm almost ashamed to say that I don't know very much about the Book, tho I've been a church member for a good many years."

"The truth is," said Sister Hartman, "there are none of us any too well posted. I tell you, Mr. Jones, the Bible is a very large book, and it will bear much study, for it is our guide to a better country, even an heavenly."

"We were studying the signs of the second coming of Christ as you came in," said Brother Hartman. "We have instituted this study chiefly for the benefit of our children that they might be able to give an answer to those who should ask them the reason for their faith."

"Then you don't think it is enough for them to say that they believe as they do because father and mother do?"

"No, no, indeed; we should all have a 'thus saith the Lord.' Beth, will you read Matt. 24:3? you can read pretty well for a little girl, so you need not be afraid of Mr. Jones."

" 'Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?' " read Beth slowly.

"What was Christ's answer, John?"

"Christ first cautioned His disciples about being deceived about it. I dare say He thought there was danger; afterward He named some of the signs of His coming."

"Mr. Jones, will you please read some of the list of signs given in the twenty-ninth verse of this same chapter."

" 'Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.' "

"Now," said Brother Hartman, "you may turn and read Mark's version of the Saviour's words: Mark 13:24."

Elsie had found the place in a moment, and she quietly handed the open book to Mr. Jones, who read:

" 'In those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light.' I would like to ask Mr. Hartman what tribulation is here meant?"

"There has been but one 'tribulation' mentioned, and that clearly begins with the time when the city of Jerusalem was destroyed by the Roman army. The tribulation must have begun in some sense then, when God's chosen people were obliged to flee to the mountains from the power of Rome; and from that time on, until the year 1773 the Roman power has pursued the church of God, and caused her to endure such tribulation as torture and fire and the rack, dungeons, misery, and death. But, Mattie, you have a pretty good memory, can you tell us at what time Papal Rome was fully established and began to hold unlimited power?"

"My ancient history says it was in A.D. 538," replied Mattie.

Grandma turned rapidly to Daniel 7:25 and read: " 'And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.' "

"Well, now," said Mr. Jones, "we are getting into deep water. I never could understand that."

"Perhaps Elsie could explain it."

"It is a trifle hard for me, father. I am sure mother can do better than I."

"By comparing the sixth and the fourteenth verses of the twelfth chapter of Revelation," said Mrs. Hartman, "we find that a time, times, and the dividing of times is equivalent to 1260 prophetic days, or literal years."

"Very well, Elsie, if you add 538 to 1,260, what result have you?"

"1798, father, and then my French history says that Berthier, a French general, took possession of Rome, and the pope was taken prisoner and carried out of Italy."

"That is good, my daughter; I see you have been studying. But verse twenty-two declares that those days were shortened for the sake of the elect. So we find that in 1776 the Austrian Government issued a decree of toleration for all sects, and the same year this country—a refuge for the oppressed—began its career as a nation, just twenty-two years before the 1,260 years allotted them was up. Verse twenty-nine declares that the sun and moon shall be darkened immediately after this tribulation ends. Grandma, can you tell us whether this came to pass or not?"

"It certainly did occur, May 19, 1780,—just four years after the persecution ceased. I have often heard my father, who witnessed the wonderful phenomenon, tell all about it."

"I have heard about this before," smiled Mr. Jones, "but I rather guess it must have been caused by an eclipse."

"But, my friend, astronomers will tell you that it is impossible for an eclipse of the sun to occur when the moon is in her full, as it was then."

"I had not thought of that; it is very mysterious; but what do you make of the expression, 'and the stars shall fall from heaven?'"

"Of course the stars themselves never fell; but on the night of Nov. 13, 1833, the heavens certainly did have the appearance of being full of falling stars. This is also a matter of history, and can be verified by many people still living."

"Then, little Beth; what sign is there still remaining to be fulfilled? Read the last clause of verse twenty-nine."

"And the powers of the heavens shall be shaken."

"Now, neighbor, if you will read verse thirty, we will close our reading for to-night."

" 'And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.' "