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A Prophetic View of our Times First, "events are no longer in the hands of men." There are increasing tides of pessimism filling our national and international scenes. News programs on television and radio, newspapers and magazines all seem to unfold a growing number of sad affair in our times leading up to a final climatic hour. We cannot look candidly at situations around us today without realizing that something is about to take place beyond human control. "The End is Coming!" Jesus' Words Jesus prognosticated an end to this world system. Christ never indulged in fantasy. He was truth. On one occasion His disciples asked Him, "Tell us when shall these things be" (Matt. 24:3)? Immediately, Jesus began to give them signs to look for. However, He warned them of pinpointing dates and times. "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, the Father has put in His on power" (Acts 1:7). Although we are not to know the exact time of His return, He assured us that we could speculate by the signs that would appear and indicate the end is near. "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift your heads up; for your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:28).
Christ mentioned at least 25 events that would indicate His coming. When these events are all happening at the same time, we can be sure the end of the world (age) is very near. a.Jesus spoke certain of "The End." In reply to his disciples' question, "When shall these things be and what shall be the signs of thy coming?" Jesus answered in part, "And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, for nations shall rise against nation." We are in a world sick with doubt and wicked with repeated disappointments. In every country we have a widespread of distress and perplexity. What does all this mean? The ruthlessness, terror, and lawlessness of our world point to nothing but anguish and misery? It adds up to one thing. It means the end is at hand. "When you see these things, look up. your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:28). Jesus will return to the earth during the time of unprecedented war and trouble among men. It is true that there have always been war and conflict among tribes, kingdoms, and nations but never until this generation has universal destruction been on a world scale.
Jeremiah, the Prophet was given a preview of our awful day when he cried, "I am pained at my heart, my heart maketh a noise in me, and I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of the war. Destruction upon destruction is cried, for the whole land is spoiled. I beheld and lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord, and by His fierce anger" (Jeremiah 4:19, 20, 26). The Bible says, "as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be before Christ's coming" (Matthew 24:38,39). Before Christ comes, there will be a repeat of days of Noah. b.Days of Noah When we read Genesis chapter 4, 5, and 6 we are given a graphic picture of some events before the flood. It was. 1.A time of religious apostasy (Gen. 4:3-5) 2.An age of travel (Gen. 4:16) 3.An age of music (Gen. 4:21) 4.An age of metal (Gen. 4:22) 5.An age of city building (Gen. 4:17) 6.An age of agricultural advances (Gen. 4:20) 7.An age of crime and violence (Gen.4: 23, 24) 8.An age of polygamy and sexuality (Gen. 4:19) Today, we have an exact repetition of those days. |
