This is the third article on the signs of the end, and you are encouraged to read the first two as they form the background of this one. (They are readily available on the church’s website). Many are convinced that all that is happening right now points to the end, and Jesus will come very soon to bring the final judgment on the earth.
The details of these signs given by Jesus are found in the first three books of the New Testament in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. Jesus spoke of the coming judge on the sinful Jewish nation (Matt. 23:34) and then told of the coming destruction of the temple. He then went to the Mount of Olives. Very few are aware of the audience when Jesus gave these signs. One will never understand these signs without recognizing those who heard about the signs.
Read Mark’s account very carefully. “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked Him privately, ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled’” (Mark 13:3-4). Four men were the ones who were given these signs. Why is this important? They were the ones who would see the signs!
Who did Jesus say would see these signs? Look at the text where I have capitalized the pronouns. Jesus said, “But when YOU hear of wars and commotions…for these things must come first…nation will rise against nation…there will be great earthquakes in various place, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay hands on YOU, and persecute YOU, delivering YOU up the synagogues…YOU will be brought before kings and rulers…YOU will be betrayed by parents and brothers…and they will put some of YOU to death…but when YOU see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near…so YOU also, when YOU see these things happening know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to YOU, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place” (Luke 21:9-32).
Let Jesus tell us who would see these signs. They were to be seen (all these signs) in that generation! Who was to see them? Peter, James, John and Andrew! Now if they saw all these signs and are all dead, these signs cannot point to WWI or WWII, or Korea, Vietnam, or the battles in Iraq and Afghanistan, or the threat of Russia or China in our day!
Read your Bible rather than books written by televangelists (who have made millions doing this). Read the Bible. Let the Bible explain the Bible. Let Jesus tell you who would see the signs. Next week, we will look at the great tribulation.