So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
When all the foretold events are seen, it can be known with certainty that the return is imminently close, as close as one standing at the door ready to enter. As tender branches and new leaves on the fig tree show summer is near, so visible happenings in heaven and earth, in nations and society, and in calamities by land and sea make the approaching end recognizable. The signs give assurance of nearness without revealing the day and hour, so nearness can be proclaimed while the exact time cannot be calculated. The generation that sees all these things will live to see them fulfilled, for the pledged word is more lasting than heaven and earth. Seeing them calls for watchful expectancy without delay — putting away what offends God, growing in faith and love, and working diligently to warn and save others while there is still time.
Language and Setting
To be at the doors is to be near, imminently close, as close as one already standing at the door who has only to enter. The heavenly signs and the sign of the Son of man show that the second coming is that near. The proclamation that this nearness had arrived disturbed opponents, who feared it might be true but hoped it was not. Those who see the signs are to be watchful and ready for the Master's coming at any time, continuing in hope and trust and in fellowship for instruction, encouragement and comfort even after disappointment.
As a fig tree putting forth tender branches and new leaves lets people know summer is near, so visible signs let people recognize that the coming event is approaching. The signs in the heavens, on earth, in the church and in a wicked world, together with moral decline, disasters and destruction affecting cities, point to the soon coming of the Son of man. Calamities now befalling immense buildings and large portions of cities are among these things, revealing what will come upon the whole earth when large ungodly cities will be terribly shaken, visited by judgments and swept away no matter how large or strong their buildings or how many safeguards against fire they have.
When all these things are seen, people are commanded and enabled to know with assurance that it is near. That generation which sees them as signs will live to see the events fulfilled and will not pass away till all things are accomplished, with threefold assurance, and the pledged words are more lasting than heaven and earth. The signs make it possible to recognize that the time is approaching, yet they do not reveal the exact day and hour, which God has not revealed. To disregard the warning and fail to be ready is as fatal as failing to recognize the flood's approach in Noah's day, while blessing rests on those found watching and teaching the coming rather than denying it.
The discourse speaks both of Jerusalem's destruction and of the coming and the end of the world, blending the two events so that its prophetic words about Jerusalem also reach forward to the final judgment. That destruction of Jerusalem typifies the world's final destruction by fire, and as the sign of Jerusalem's approaching ruin warned people to escape, so these signs warn all who will to flee the coming judgment. The destruction of Jerusalem itself was not the second coming, which is still to come, and sinners must turn from sin and seek preparation to meet Him at His coming.
The chapter outlines events to come upon the world spanning from the first advent to the return in the kingdom and to the complete restitution of all things. Its account includes Jerusalem's destruction, persecution of the church, the darkening of the sun and moon and the falling of the stars, then the coming in the kingdom with warning about how servants await Him and with two classes waiting for His appearing. It sketches the path that leads through the church's warfare and sufferings to her promised redemption, to the final triumph of the people of God, the destruction of Satan and all his followers, the total and eternal extirpation of evil from the universe, and the renovation of the earth as the everlasting inheritance of the saints. The time of that fulfillment is now, so the whole chapter is to be brought before all and its prophecies explained while minor matters are left aside because they decide eternal destiny, standing with Daniel and Revelation as the sure word of prophecy and foundation of faith to be studied and preached in connection with Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Signs That Show Nearness
The heavenly signs and distress of nations are part of all these things that mark nearness, including signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars with distress of nations upon the earth as harbingers to be watched so that day does not overtake as a thief. The darkening of the sun came at the close of the great papal persecution, with the withholding of the moon's light, followed by the falling of the stars, and those who see all these things may know with threefold assurance that the coming is very close. These signs belong to the account spanning from the first advent to the return, including Jerusalem's destruction and persecution of the church, then the darkening of the sun and moon and the falling of the stars, followed by coming in the kingdom. They have appeared, so the coming is at hand for certain, and those who see them beginning should look up because redemption is near, though they do not reveal the day and hour.
Present disasters are among the things seen that speak in unmistakable language that the end of all things is at hand and the coming is near, even at the doors. They include earthquakes in divers places, ships going down with great loss of life, destructive floods, and burning of immense costly buildings called fireproof. They include calamities by land and sea, by fire and flood, by pestilence and famine, by horrible accidents, with rapidly increasing disasters and daily accidents. They show the world is living in the last days, in the closing period of earth's history with perils all around, with men's hearts failing for fear as the powers of heaven are shaken, with the plagues of God already coming upon the world, just before the Son of man comes with power and great glory to take to Himself those who have faithfully obeyed God's law.
Calamities now befalling immense buildings and large portions of cities are among all these things to be watched, showing as surely as leaves on the fig tree show summer is near that the coming of the Son of man is imminently close. God uses present urban destructions to reveal what will come upon the whole earth, foreshadowing the judgments to fall on the entire world. The time is near when large ungodly cities will be visited by the judgments of God and terribly shaken and swept away by destruction. No matter how large or strong their buildings or how many safeguards against fire have been provided, when touched they are left in ruins in a few minutes or a few hours.
Moral and social conditions are among the signs to be seen, indicating the coming is soon when they appear. They include intemperance in eating and drinking, extravagance in dress, increasing crime, violence, lawlessness, corruption and social disorder, with many accidents and disasters of daily life. They include the moral depravity said to exist just before the return in the clouds of heaven, the same condition existing now. The growing influence and plans of Romanism are signs of the times that should awaken concern among those who value the gospel.
These signs are already being fulfilled and rapidly fulfilling, so concern about the return must not be quieted and watchfulness must remain. Because fulfillment shows the coming is near, even at the doors, people need to be educated to read the sure word of prophecy in the light of the living oracles, with more time given to publishing and circulating books containing present truth on the prophetic word and on practical faith and godliness. The rapidly fulfilling signs indicate the end of the world's history is near, so the work that remains must be done quickly and thoroughly.
Nearness Without Date
The generation that sees all these things will live to see them fulfilled, for when the darkening of the sun and moon and the falling of the stars and the sign of the Son of man are seen, the coming is known with threefold assurance to be very close. As tender branches and new leaves on the fig tree show summer is near, so visible signs let people recognize the approaching event, for at the doors means near. Christ's pledged words to this effect are more lasting than heaven and earth, yet they do not reveal the day and hour, and they call for watchful expectancy, faithful living and work, and readiness at any time.
The signs show nearness but not the day or hour, which God has not revealed, and no finite man can calculate the exact time by any reckoning of figures or symbols or types. To point from the signs in the heavens and on earth and in the church and in a wicked world, together with the prophecies of Daniel and John, that the coming and the day of vengeance are at hand is distinct from claiming to know the day and hour. Those who see the signs use them to instruct and correct others and join them with the ending of prophetic periods, while those confronted who refuse instruction answer that no man knoweth the day nor the hour. The long waiting tests who has genuine righteousness and can bear with patience in waiting and watching and working, which means not idle expectancy that refuses to plant or build but diligent labor to gather the Lord's sheep.
The falling of the stars in 1833 was the last of the predicted heavenly signs, marking the coming Judgment as the next great event impending and directing people to prophecy and to heed the warning of the second advent. The Ottoman loss of independence and submission to European powers on August 11, 1840, through the interpretation of Revelation 9, was treated as fulfillment of prophecy confirming the prophetic principles of Miller and his associates and strengthening the Advent movement as prophetic periods were believed to be ending.
Signs in sun, moon and stars and trouble in the nations tell that the end is near and the coming is at the door, as close as one standing at the door who only has to enter, yet the coming itself does not take place until after the mighty earthquake shakes the earth. After the voice of God leaves people in despair with clashing clouds and darkness and trouble such as never was since there was a nation, a voice comes from heaven and the clouds roll back like a scroll to reveal the bright, clear sign of the Son of man known by God's children amid music. Then graves are opened and the dead are raised, including those who acted the most prominent part in the rejection and crucifixion of Christ, who put on Him the purple robe and crown of thorns and nails in hands and feet, coming forth to look on Him as He is and bewail, encircled by thousands of thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand angels, while the saints are changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye and caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
That near coming in power and great glory in perilous times, with all these things fulfilling all around proving the end of all things at hand, is to take to Himself those who have faithfully obeyed God's law. Before He comes in glory to punish the rebellious, God will proclaim His law so people may return to obedience, and those persisting in rebellion will have no place in heaven, just as Satan had none after rebelling.
Prophecy and Scriptural Links
When the foretold signs are seen the coming is near, even at the doors, and nearness must be recognized although the day and hour remain unknown. To disregard that warning and fail to be ready is as fatal as failure to recognize the approach of the flood was in the days of Noah. Those found watching and teaching the coming are blessed, rather than those who deny it. The warning now given is the same message that came to Noah, calling all to repent of disloyalty to God and to render obedience to His law, since obedience wins eternal life while disobedience places a person on Satan's side. Many do not know they are living in the last days because they do not choose to know.
As the disciples were warned of the destruction of Jerusalem by a sign of approaching ruin that they might escape, so warning of the day of final destruction is given by tokens of its approach that all who will may flee from the wrath to come. Those who heed the warning and watch will not be left in darkness to be overtaken unawares, while to those who will not watch that day comes as a thief in the night and sudden destruction comes upon the careless and ungodly. The siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the appointed warning for Judean Christians to flee, and in like manner a national decree enforcing the papal Sabbath will warn God's people that it is time to leave the large cities and prepare to move to secluded places.
The fulfillment of the predictions in Matthew 24 proves the coming is close, and the time of that fulfillment is now. The whole chapter must therefore be brought before all and its prophecies explained, with minor matters left aside, because these truths decide the destiny of souls. It stands with Daniel and Revelation as the sure word of prophecy and foundation of faith, to be studied and preached in connection with Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The signs in the heavens, on earth, in the church, and in a wicked world, together with the prophecies of Daniel and John, show that the coming and the day of vengeance are at hand.
The proclamation that Christ was at the door was the Advent message that His return was near, calling people to expect His second coming. That proclamation disturbed opponents, who feared it might be true yet hoped it was not. The first angel's message and the midnight cry strengthened hope and unity among those who received them and helped restrain fanaticism and division.
Seeing the described signs shows the coming is near and gives the expectation of the return a definite, tangible basis, not an invisible coming without anyone knowing. The signs call God's people to look up in hope because redemption draws near, and to live watchfully, soberly, and godly while they wait. Faithful believers can recognize these signs as the end of earthly things approaches, while a remnant endures even though many professing believers deny their faith by their actions.
Watching and Working
Seeing all these things is a call to watchful expectancy, to faithful living and diligent work, and to readiness to meet Christ at any time, while the exact day and hour remain unknown. The signs, including the heavenly signs and the sign of the Son of man, show the second coming is near, and the destruction of Jerusalem was not that coming, which is still to come, so sinners must turn from sin and seek preparation. Their fulfillment is a clear warning not to be disregarded, announcing that the end is near and that people will soon face God, so salvation must be sought without delay before opportunity passes. Solemn earnestness is required, putting away everything offensive to God, letting faith grow stronger rather than weaken in the face of what is seen.
The time of that fulfillment is now, so the whole chapter must be studied again and again and brought before believers and unbelievers alike. Its prophecies are to be read and understood in time, giving certainty about what is coming and grounds to warn people before judgment falls, and faith means believing what is said before seeing it come to pass and telling the transgressor how to avoid judgment instead of waiting until the end is fulfilled to speak. Ministers and teachers are to present and explain its prophecies, leaving matters of lesser consequence aside in order to present the truths that decide eternal destiny, because unmistakable fulfillment shows the coming is at hand and arouses to questions of eternal importance. The chapter stands with Daniel and Revelation as the sure word of prophecy and foundation of faith, to be studied and preached in connection with Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. More time is to be given to publishing and circulating books containing present truth, calling attention to books on the prophetic word and to books on practical faith and godliness, so people are educated to read prophecy in light of the living oracles and know the fulfillment.
Ministers are to show by conduct, words, preaching and prayers that they believe He is at the door, for they stand in the last hours of probation and lifeless preaching cannot awaken the careless. Recognizing the fulfillment of the signs of the times, which prove the appearing is near even at the doors, should rouse from lethargy and awaken to responsibility. That discerning must produce a complete change into self-denying workers who follow in His footsteps, lift the cross and work for the salvation of souls perishing in sin, and must not sleep while young men and women in God's institutions remain unready and unfitted to become members of His family. All are called to work for Christ because the end is at hand, and those with the greatest opportunities and privileges bear the heaviest responsibility.
The instruction given to the disciples about the signs was for those who should believe afterward, so that in this age they can discern the signs, recognize present dangers, reach a higher standard and prepare for the great conflict, warning the world with careful, faithful action that the end is at hand. Recognizing the rapidly increasing disasters and fulfillment of prophecy that mark the approaching crisis and the Lord's nearness calls not for quiet or unconcerned expectation of safety but for diligent work to save others with faith in God. Waiting does not mean idle expectancy that refuses to plant or build, but working with greater diligence to gather the Lord's sheep and bring them into the fold, since no reckoning of figures, symbols or types can reveal the very period, yet all are to study the signs that show He is at the door. With the end of the world's history near, the remaining work must be done quickly and thoroughly, doing good in every form with greater earnestness, fervor and zeal, opening the Scriptures to those in the darkness of error, staying wide awake, preparing a people for the marriage supper of the Lamb, and carrying the missionary enterprise forward with unflagging energy and every faculty without further delay.
Discerning the signs calls for growing love for God, for Christ and for others, with active faith, and for heed to the final warning message and to God's law, for Christ is at the door. Believers must watch and be ready for the coming at any time, holding to faith with hope and trust even when expectation brings disappointment, without neglecting fellowship for instruction, encouragement and comfort. The long waiting tempts to doubt that He is coming, and God uses that delay to test and prove who has genuine righteousness and can bear with patience in waiting and watching and working.
The question whether Christ is at the door presents the closing period of earth's history and the soon removal of the faithful as urgent realities calling for entire consecration to God. Genuine faith turns the heart toward heavenly treasure, while accumulating earthly wealth and planning to remain in this world shows disbelief that He is at the door. As the siege by Roman armies warned Judean Christians to flee, so a national decree enforcing the papal Sabbath will warn God's people that it is time to leave the large cities and prepare to move to secluded places. That leaving for hills, mountains, country places and retirement alone with God to learn His will is not great deprivation, and rich blessings await those who grasp them, for by beholding nature, the works of the Creator and studying His handiwork they are changed into the same image, making spirituality their life work. In the early movement when the coming felt so near that believers might not meet again till the kingdom, entering marriage looking ahead to long years was treated as denial of faith, so thought of marriage was set aside. Getting ready on the very borders of the eternal world means pressing together, consecrating the soul, bowing to the cross, drawing nigh to God who draws nigh not to bruise but to comfort, pour in the oil of gladness and heal Satan's wounds, and falling unitedly on the Rock to be broken so Jesus gathers the broken in His arms and binds Himself to them.
When all the foretold events are seen, it can be known with certainty that the return is imminently close, as close as one standing at the door ready to enter. As tender branches and new leaves on the fig tree show summer is near, so visible happenings in heaven and earth, in nations and society, and in calamities by land and sea make the approaching end recognizable. The signs give assurance of nearness without revealing the day and hour, so nearness can be proclaimed while the exact time cannot be calculated. The generation that sees all these things will live to see them fulfilled, for the pledged word is more lasting than heaven and earth. Seeing them calls for watchful expectancy without delay — putting away what offends God, growing in faith and love, and working diligently to warn and save others while there is still time.
Language and Setting
To be at the doors is to be near, imminently close, as close as one already standing at the door who has only to enter. The heavenly signs and the sign of the Son of man show that the second coming is that near. The proclamation that this nearness had arrived disturbed opponents, who feared it might be true but hoped it was not. Those who see the signs are to be watchful and ready for the Master's coming at any time, continuing in hope and trust and in fellowship for instruction, encouragement and comfort even after disappointment.
As a fig tree putting forth tender branches and new leaves lets people know summer is near, so visible signs let people recognize that the coming event is approaching. The signs in the heavens, on earth, in the church and in a wicked world, together with moral decline, disasters and destruction affecting cities, point to the soon coming of the Son of man. Calamities now befalling immense buildings and large portions of cities are among these things, revealing what will come upon the whole earth when large ungodly cities will be terribly shaken, visited by judgments and swept away no matter how large or strong their buildings or how many safeguards against fire they have.
When all these things are seen, people are commanded and enabled to know with assurance that it is near. That generation which sees them as signs will live to see the events fulfilled and will not pass away till all things are accomplished, with threefold assurance, and the pledged words are more lasting than heaven and earth. The signs make it possible to recognize that the time is approaching, yet they do not reveal the exact day and hour, which God has not revealed. To disregard the warning and fail to be ready is as fatal as failing to recognize the flood's approach in Noah's day, while blessing rests on those found watching and teaching the coming rather than denying it.
The discourse speaks both of Jerusalem's destruction and of the coming and the end of the world, blending the two events so that its prophetic words about Jerusalem also reach forward to the final judgment. That destruction of Jerusalem typifies the world's final destruction by fire, and as the sign of Jerusalem's approaching ruin warned people to escape, so these signs warn all who will to flee the coming judgment. The destruction of Jerusalem itself was not the second coming, which is still to come, and sinners must turn from sin and seek preparation to meet Him at His coming.
The chapter outlines events to come upon the world spanning from the first advent to the return in the kingdom and to the complete restitution of all things. Its account includes Jerusalem's destruction, persecution of the church, the darkening of the sun and moon and the falling of the stars, then the coming in the kingdom with warning about how servants await Him and with two classes waiting for His appearing. It sketches the path that leads through the church's warfare and sufferings to her promised redemption, to the final triumph of the people of God, the destruction of Satan and all his followers, the total and eternal extirpation of evil from the universe, and the renovation of the earth as the everlasting inheritance of the saints. The time of that fulfillment is now, so the whole chapter is to be brought before all and its prophecies explained while minor matters are left aside because they decide eternal destiny, standing with Daniel and Revelation as the sure word of prophecy and foundation of faith to be studied and preached in connection with Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Signs That Show Nearness
The heavenly signs and distress of nations are part of all these things that mark nearness, including signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars with distress of nations upon the earth as harbingers to be watched so that day does not overtake as a thief. The darkening of the sun came at the close of the great papal persecution, with the withholding of the moon's light, followed by the falling of the stars, and those who see all these things may know with threefold assurance that the coming is very close. These signs belong to the account spanning from the first advent to the return, including Jerusalem's destruction and persecution of the church, then the darkening of the sun and moon and the falling of the stars, followed by coming in the kingdom. They have appeared, so the coming is at hand for certain, and those who see them beginning should look up because redemption is near, though they do not reveal the day and hour.
Present disasters are among the things seen that speak in unmistakable language that the end of all things is at hand and the coming is near, even at the doors. They include earthquakes in divers places, ships going down with great loss of life, destructive floods, and burning of immense costly buildings called fireproof. They include calamities by land and sea, by fire and flood, by pestilence and famine, by horrible accidents, with rapidly increasing disasters and daily accidents. They show the world is living in the last days, in the closing period of earth's history with perils all around, with men's hearts failing for fear as the powers of heaven are shaken, with the plagues of God already coming upon the world, just before the Son of man comes with power and great glory to take to Himself those who have faithfully obeyed God's law.
Calamities now befalling immense buildings and large portions of cities are among all these things to be watched, showing as surely as leaves on the fig tree show summer is near that the coming of the Son of man is imminently close. God uses present urban destructions to reveal what will come upon the whole earth, foreshadowing the judgments to fall on the entire world. The time is near when large ungodly cities will be visited by the judgments of God and terribly shaken and swept away by destruction. No matter how large or strong their buildings or how many safeguards against fire have been provided, when touched they are left in ruins in a few minutes or a few hours.
Moral and social conditions are among the signs to be seen, indicating the coming is soon when they appear. They include intemperance in eating and drinking, extravagance in dress, increasing crime, violence, lawlessness, corruption and social disorder, with many accidents and disasters of daily life. They include the moral depravity said to exist just before the return in the clouds of heaven, the same condition existing now. The growing influence and plans of Romanism are signs of the times that should awaken concern among those who value the gospel.
These signs are already being fulfilled and rapidly fulfilling, so concern about the return must not be quieted and watchfulness must remain. Because fulfillment shows the coming is near, even at the doors, people need to be educated to read the sure word of prophecy in the light of the living oracles, with more time given to publishing and circulating books containing present truth on the prophetic word and on practical faith and godliness. The rapidly fulfilling signs indicate the end of the world's history is near, so the work that remains must be done quickly and thoroughly.
Nearness Without Date
The generation that sees all these things will live to see them fulfilled, for when the darkening of the sun and moon and the falling of the stars and the sign of the Son of man are seen, the coming is known with threefold assurance to be very close. As tender branches and new leaves on the fig tree show summer is near, so visible signs let people recognize the approaching event, for at the doors means near. Christ's pledged words to this effect are more lasting than heaven and earth, yet they do not reveal the day and hour, and they call for watchful expectancy, faithful living and work, and readiness at any time.
The signs show nearness but not the day or hour, which God has not revealed, and no finite man can calculate the exact time by any reckoning of figures or symbols or types. To point from the signs in the heavens and on earth and in the church and in a wicked world, together with the prophecies of Daniel and John, that the coming and the day of vengeance are at hand is distinct from claiming to know the day and hour. Those who see the signs use them to instruct and correct others and join them with the ending of prophetic periods, while those confronted who refuse instruction answer that no man knoweth the day nor the hour. The long waiting tests who has genuine righteousness and can bear with patience in waiting and watching and working, which means not idle expectancy that refuses to plant or build but diligent labor to gather the Lord's sheep.
The falling of the stars in 1833 was the last of the predicted heavenly signs, marking the coming Judgment as the next great event impending and directing people to prophecy and to heed the warning of the second advent. The Ottoman loss of independence and submission to European powers on August 11, 1840, through the interpretation of Revelation 9, was treated as fulfillment of prophecy confirming the prophetic principles of Miller and his associates and strengthening the Advent movement as prophetic periods were believed to be ending.
Signs in sun, moon and stars and trouble in the nations tell that the end is near and the coming is at the door, as close as one standing at the door who only has to enter, yet the coming itself does not take place until after the mighty earthquake shakes the earth. After the voice of God leaves people in despair with clashing clouds and darkness and trouble such as never was since there was a nation, a voice comes from heaven and the clouds roll back like a scroll to reveal the bright, clear sign of the Son of man known by God's children amid music. Then graves are opened and the dead are raised, including those who acted the most prominent part in the rejection and crucifixion of Christ, who put on Him the purple robe and crown of thorns and nails in hands and feet, coming forth to look on Him as He is and bewail, encircled by thousands of thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand angels, while the saints are changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye and caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
That near coming in power and great glory in perilous times, with all these things fulfilling all around proving the end of all things at hand, is to take to Himself those who have faithfully obeyed God's law. Before He comes in glory to punish the rebellious, God will proclaim His law so people may return to obedience, and those persisting in rebellion will have no place in heaven, just as Satan had none after rebelling.
Prophecy and Scriptural Links
When the foretold signs are seen the coming is near, even at the doors, and nearness must be recognized although the day and hour remain unknown. To disregard that warning and fail to be ready is as fatal as failure to recognize the approach of the flood was in the days of Noah. Those found watching and teaching the coming are blessed, rather than those who deny it. The warning now given is the same message that came to Noah, calling all to repent of disloyalty to God and to render obedience to His law, since obedience wins eternal life while disobedience places a person on Satan's side. Many do not know they are living in the last days because they do not choose to know.
As the disciples were warned of the destruction of Jerusalem by a sign of approaching ruin that they might escape, so warning of the day of final destruction is given by tokens of its approach that all who will may flee from the wrath to come. Those who heed the warning and watch will not be left in darkness to be overtaken unawares, while to those who will not watch that day comes as a thief in the night and sudden destruction comes upon the careless and ungodly. The siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the appointed warning for Judean Christians to flee, and in like manner a national decree enforcing the papal Sabbath will warn God's people that it is time to leave the large cities and prepare to move to secluded places.
The fulfillment of the predictions in Matthew 24 proves the coming is close, and the time of that fulfillment is now. The whole chapter must therefore be brought before all and its prophecies explained, with minor matters left aside, because these truths decide the destiny of souls. It stands with Daniel and Revelation as the sure word of prophecy and foundation of faith, to be studied and preached in connection with Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The signs in the heavens, on earth, in the church, and in a wicked world, together with the prophecies of Daniel and John, show that the coming and the day of vengeance are at hand.
The proclamation that Christ was at the door was the Advent message that His return was near, calling people to expect His second coming. That proclamation disturbed opponents, who feared it might be true yet hoped it was not. The first angel's message and the midnight cry strengthened hope and unity among those who received them and helped restrain fanaticism and division.
Seeing the described signs shows the coming is near and gives the expectation of the return a definite, tangible basis, not an invisible coming without anyone knowing. The signs call God's people to look up in hope because redemption draws near, and to live watchfully, soberly, and godly while they wait. Faithful believers can recognize these signs as the end of earthly things approaches, while a remnant endures even though many professing believers deny their faith by their actions.
Watching and Working
Seeing all these things is a call to watchful expectancy, to faithful living and diligent work, and to readiness to meet Christ at any time, while the exact day and hour remain unknown. The signs, including the heavenly signs and the sign of the Son of man, show the second coming is near, and the destruction of Jerusalem was not that coming, which is still to come, so sinners must turn from sin and seek preparation. Their fulfillment is a clear warning not to be disregarded, announcing that the end is near and that people will soon face God, so salvation must be sought without delay before opportunity passes. Solemn earnestness is required, putting away everything offensive to God, letting faith grow stronger rather than weaken in the face of what is seen.
The time of that fulfillment is now, so the whole chapter must be studied again and again and brought before believers and unbelievers alike. Its prophecies are to be read and understood in time, giving certainty about what is coming and grounds to warn people before judgment falls, and faith means believing what is said before seeing it come to pass and telling the transgressor how to avoid judgment instead of waiting until the end is fulfilled to speak. Ministers and teachers are to present and explain its prophecies, leaving matters of lesser consequence aside in order to present the truths that decide eternal destiny, because unmistakable fulfillment shows the coming is at hand and arouses to questions of eternal importance. The chapter stands with Daniel and Revelation as the sure word of prophecy and foundation of faith, to be studied and preached in connection with Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. More time is to be given to publishing and circulating books containing present truth, calling attention to books on the prophetic word and to books on practical faith and godliness, so people are educated to read prophecy in light of the living oracles and know the fulfillment.
Ministers are to show by conduct, words, preaching and prayers that they believe He is at the door, for they stand in the last hours of probation and lifeless preaching cannot awaken the careless. Recognizing the fulfillment of the signs of the times, which prove the appearing is near even at the doors, should rouse from lethargy and awaken to responsibility. That discerning must produce a complete change into self-denying workers who follow in His footsteps, lift the cross and work for the salvation of souls perishing in sin, and must not sleep while young men and women in God's institutions remain unready and unfitted to become members of His family. All are called to work for Christ because the end is at hand, and those with the greatest opportunities and privileges bear the heaviest responsibility.
The instruction given to the disciples about the signs was for those who should believe afterward, so that in this age they can discern the signs, recognize present dangers, reach a higher standard and prepare for the great conflict, warning the world with careful, faithful action that the end is at hand. Recognizing the rapidly increasing disasters and fulfillment of prophecy that mark the approaching crisis and the Lord's nearness calls not for quiet or unconcerned expectation of safety but for diligent work to save others with faith in God. Waiting does not mean idle expectancy that refuses to plant or build, but working with greater diligence to gather the Lord's sheep and bring them into the fold, since no reckoning of figures, symbols or types can reveal the very period, yet all are to study the signs that show He is at the door. With the end of the world's history near, the remaining work must be done quickly and thoroughly, doing good in every form with greater earnestness, fervor and zeal, opening the Scriptures to those in the darkness of error, staying wide awake, preparing a people for the marriage supper of the Lamb, and carrying the missionary enterprise forward with unflagging energy and every faculty without further delay.
Discerning the signs calls for growing love for God, for Christ and for others, with active faith, and for heed to the final warning message and to God's law, for Christ is at the door. Believers must watch and be ready for the coming at any time, holding to faith with hope and trust even when expectation brings disappointment, without neglecting fellowship for instruction, encouragement and comfort. The long waiting tempts to doubt that He is coming, and God uses that delay to test and prove who has genuine righteousness and can bear with patience in waiting and watching and working.
The question whether Christ is at the door presents the closing period of earth's history and the soon removal of the faithful as urgent realities calling for entire consecration to God. Genuine faith turns the heart toward heavenly treasure, while accumulating earthly wealth and planning to remain in this world shows disbelief that He is at the door. As the siege by Roman armies warned Judean Christians to flee, so a national decree enforcing the papal Sabbath will warn God's people that it is time to leave the large cities and prepare to move to secluded places. That leaving for hills, mountains, country places and retirement alone with God to learn His will is not great deprivation, and rich blessings await those who grasp them, for by beholding nature, the works of the Creator and studying His handiwork they are changed into the same image, making spirituality their life work. In the early movement when the coming felt so near that believers might not meet again till the kingdom, entering marriage looking ahead to long years was treated as denial of faith, so thought of marriage was set aside. Getting ready on the very borders of the eternal world means pressing together, consecrating the soul, bowing to the cross, drawing nigh to God who draws nigh not to bruise but to comfort, pour in the oil of gladness and heal Satan's wounds, and falling unitedly on the Rock to be broken so Jesus gathers the broken in His arms and binds Himself to them.