Vineyard Labourer Bible College

Study 14

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

We are living in the time of the end. The fast-fulfilling signs of the times declare that the coming of Christ is near at hand. The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgements are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude.

The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.

The condition of things in the world shows that troublous times are right upon us. The daily papers are full of indications of a terrible conflict in the near future. Bold robberies are of frequent occurrence. Strikes are common. Thefts and murders are committed on every hand. Men possessed of demons are taking the lives of men, women, and little children. Men have become infatuated with vice, and every species of evil prevails.

WHAT SAITH THE LORD

1. For what did Christ reprove the Pharisees and Saducees? Matthew 16:3.

"And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" Matthew 16:3.

2. What question did the disciples ask Christ concerning His second coming? Matthew 24:3.

"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" Matthew 24:3.

3. How did Christ answer this question? Luke 21:25, 26.

"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; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." Luke 21:25, 26.

4. What, according to Matthew's account, did Christ say were to be the signs in the sun, moon, and stars? Matthew 24:29.

"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: Matthew 24:29.

5. Which of these three signs can be found in the Old Testament? Joel 2:30, 31; 3:15; Isaiah 13:10; Amos 8:9.

"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.

"The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining." Joel 3:15.

"For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine." Isaiah 13:10.

"And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:" Amos 8:9.

All three of these signs cam be found in the Old Testament.

Note: The 19th May, 1780, was a remarkable dark day. People had to light candles, the birds were silent, fowls retired to roost, in some places persons could not see to read common print in the open air, and cattle sought the barnyard. The darkness of the following evening was deep and dense. The moon took the appearance of blood and did not shine or reflect any light. A piece of paper held a few inches in front of you could be as easily seen as black velvet.

The 13th November, 1833 the greatest meteoric shower ever to be recorded in history was observed.

On both these dates people believed that it was the end of the world, and was this not what prophecy had said. Yes, but there was more to the prophecy.

6. Have we reached the time when there is "distress of nations, with perplexity"?

One has only to turn on the radio or T. V. or read the newspaper to find out the distress of the nations from war, droughts, floods, fire and all manner of environmental disasters. On top of this there are the problems with money, balancing the accounts of overseas debts and the like.

Are men's hearts now "failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth"? Many people cannot cope with what life has to offer, so they end it. Others can see things happening all around them but do not know what to do, and constantly live in fear of other people and things that may happen.

What may be said of "the sea and the waves roaring?" Great tidal waves and storms at sea, with cyclones and tornadoes on land, with many lives being lost, have become fearfully frequent of later years, making men apprehensive of still greater calamities to come.

7. What, according to the prophecy of Daniel, was to characterise the time of the end? Daniel 12:4.

"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Daniel 12:4.

Note: Travel has increased in speed so much in the past 100 years, that people feel deprived if they have to walk any distance nowadays. Technology is increasing at such a speed that before a new product has left the factory floor, it is out of date. Also, since 1798 which was the beginning of "the time of the end" many people have searched through the Scriptures or run to and fro through them and knowledge about the Scriptures and their meaning has greatly increased.

8. What is predicted of the moral condition of the world in the last days? 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

9. How did the Apostle Peter say the message of the Lord's coming would be treated by some? 2 Peter 3:3, 4.

"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.

10. What will God's faithful servants be doing at this time? Matthew 24:45.

"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?" Matthew 24:45.

11. What are all admonished to do when these signs have appeared? Matthew 24:44.

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Matthew 24:44.

12. How will Christ's coming overtake those servants who say in their hearts, "My Lord delayeth His coming"? Matthew 24:50, 51.

"The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 24:50, 51.

13. Does anyone know the exact day of our Lord's coming? Matthew 24:36.

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." Matthew 24:36.

Commitment:- I believe that we are living at the time of the end, and that Jesus Christ will soon return to take His people home.