
A TASTE OF THINGS TO COME!
In the past few weeks we have witnessed some very different weather conditions, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanoes expected to erupt at any time, nations at war. I heard a preacher say that there are 41 wars at present, moral life has almost decayed, etc.
"And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 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?" (Matt. 24:1-3)
NOTICE: There are three questions asked by the disciples:
1. When shall these things be?
This is talking about the destruction of the temple. In AD 70, Titus destroyed the temple. Since the temple had much gold in its construction, the gold melted and ran between the rocks that the temple was built of. The soldiers used pry bars to pry the rocks apart to get the gold.
2. What shall be the sign of thy coming?
No signs of Christ's coming for His churches will be given. Read Matt. 12:38-40. No sign will be given. Conditions will exist to show His coming. Read Matt. 24:5-13. These are the conditions that will tell of Christ's coming.
"...and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection" (Rev. 20:4-5).
When the true churches have been caught up to heaven (I Thess. 4:13-17), that will begin a 1,000 year resurrection after the catching up of the true churches. There will be a 7-year tribulation on earth.
"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be" (Matt. 24:21).
To those who refuse to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour some very fearful days are ahead:
"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).
You can escape all the horrible tribulation events if, with a penitent heart, you confess to Jesus that you are a sinner, and by faith accept His death, burial, and resurrection. At that point, you become a child of God (Gal. 3:26). Then dress up like Him in baptism (Gal. 3:27), and serve God faithfully in a New Testament church.
"Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing" (Matt. 24:46).