We often hear people discussing the end of time and delineating the “signs” which, they say are proof that Christ’s return is imminent. These signs include ‘wars and rumors of wars,” ‘earthquakes,” and various political/military events which one observes on the evening news. These loud proponents of gloom claim to be representing the Bible in their calculations and forecasts.
Consider for a moment what the Bible actually teaches. In Matthew 24:1-35, Jesus pinpointed numerous signs by which His disciples and Jewish Christians could recognize the occasion of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. These signs (e.g., “wars and rumors of wars” – v. 6; “famines and earthquakes” – v.7; gospel preached to whole world – v. 14: the approach of the Roman armies – v. 15 & Luke 21:20) functioned as signals by which the faithful could identify the “end” (vs. 6,14) of the Jewish commonwealth. Jesus was providing descriptive detail in response to the disciples’ question concerning the destruction of the temple (24:2-3). Just as tender branches and fresh leaves signal the approach of summer (vs. 32), so the multiple signs which Jesus pinpointed would signal the coming of Christ in judgement upon the Jewish nation (vs. 33) in 70 A.D.
But then Jesus turns His attention to the question of the end of time and His second coming in vs. 36. Notice the difference! Now Jesus goes out of His way to stress the total absence of signs signaling the end of the world and second coming! He declares that His final coming will be comparable to the Deluge of Noah’s day (v. 37)in that it will be totally unexpected. Right up to the very day Noah and his family entered the ark, life was going on as usual! No signs! Jesus says farmers will be in the field as usual (V. 40); women will be involved in their activities (as usual (v. 41). Jesus even likens the unexpected nature of His final coming to the exploits of the thief (V. 43). Both Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:2) and Peter (2 Peter 3:10) repeat this analogy. The coming of a thief in the night is preceded by absolutely no signals!
Contrary to the prevalent notions of our day concerning the “signs of the times,” the Bible asserts that there will be a total absence of signs to prepare the world for the end of time. The only hope of the entire world is to render obedience to the written revelation of the Bible (24:46)!
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