Our Bible Reading

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, Cal. · Feb 7, 1911

Our Bible Reading

The Signs of Christ's Coming

1. What signs were there of the first coming of Christ?

First, there were the prophecies of the Old Testament relating to that coming which converged at the very time and place of His birth, such as Micah 5: 3; Isaiah 53, and others. Secondly, John the Baptist was a special messenger that went before Christ in fulfilment of Isa. 40: 1-5. Thirdly, the wonderful teachings and mighty miracles of Jesus wrought in fulfilment of His mission. Because of these there were many who knew that He was the Messiah and believed on Him.

2. What question was asked regarding His second coming?

What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world? Matt. 24: 3.

3. What answer did our Lord Himself give?

And there shall be signs. Luke 21: 25.

4. Where would these signs be seen?

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring. Luke 21: 25.

5. What signs are given us in the prophetic field?

There are more than twelve different lines of prophecy pointing out these very days as a time when the coming of the Lord is near and His kingdom is about to be set up. And there are a multitude of special signs predicted to occur within the time of the end just before His coming, and these are in fulfilment or in process of fulfilment.

6. What special sign does one apostle give us?

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 2 Peter 3: 3, 4.

7. What signs does Joel give us?

And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come. Joel 2: 30, 31.

See also Matthew 24, Mark 13, Revelation 6, and articles in past issues by Mr. Owen.

8. To what are the days just before Christ's second advent likened?

But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days that were before the Flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the Flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. Matt. 24: 37-39.

NOTE:—If we will but turn to the sixth chapter of Genesis we will find that the days of Noah were days of utter regardlessness of God except on the part of the very few. Men married them wives of all that they chose. Their whole thought was upon their own lusts, their own desires; and the record states that the earth was filled with violence. These are manifestations seen everywhere around us.