Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep
those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. Revelation 1:3

Signs of the Times

Lesson 5

Marking Code: ST
Marking Color: Yellow
Key Text: Matthew 24:36

Note: this lesson on the signs of Christ’s return is based primarily on Matthew 24. There are two other major chapters in the Bible dealing entirely with this subject-Mark 13 and Luke 21. Be sure to read and carefully study these chapters as well.

In Matthew 24, Jesus answers two key questions:

 

When would the temple in Jerusalem be destroyed? (See verses 1-3; 15-20.)

 

When would He return again? (See the rest of Matthew 24.)

 

1. Matthew 24:36. We cannot set dates for the return of Jesus. No one knows the day or the hour of the Second Coming until the Great Tribulation gets under way. Only then can a person who has studied the scriptures realize that in Daniel 12:12, it states, “Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. After the worldwide earthquake takes place on Earth in the near future, a 1,335-day countdown to the Second Coming of Christ is imminent.

 

2. Matthew 24:33. However, by observing the signs that Jesus gives, we can know when His coming is near.

 

3. Matthew 24-Major signs:

 

Matthew 24: 1-3; 15-20. The destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

Matthew 24:21,22. The Dark Ages (A.D. 538-1798).

Matthew 24: 29. Footprints in the sky-the “dark day” of May 19, 1780.

Matthew 24:29: Footprints in the sky-the stars fall, November 13, 1833.

Joel 2:10, 31; Amos 8:9; Isaiah 13:10; Mark 13:24, 25; Luke 21:25; Acts 2:20; Revelation 6:12,13.

 

4. Matthew 24-Additional significant signs:

 

Matthew 24:6,7.

In the political world, there will be wars, political instability, and nationalism with nation against nation.

In the natural world, there will be earthquakes, pestilence, and famine.

Luke 21:10,11; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Joel 3:9-12.

James 5:1-8. In the economic world, there will be instability, uncertainty, and strife between the wealthy and the poor.

2 Timothy 3:1-5. In the moral world there will be corruption, pleasure-seeking, and intense evil.

Matthew 24:37-39.

Daniel 12:4. In the world of knowledge, there will be an explosion of information and technology.

2 Peter 3:3,4. In the religious world, there will be scoffers, skeptics, and a lack of true spirituality.

Matthew 24:4,5,11; 2 Timothy 4:3,4.

 

5. Revelation 7:1-3.  Why hasn’t Jesus come yet? The four angels are holding back the winds of strife until God’s purposes for earth are complete and His 144,000 prophet-servants are sealed.

 

6. Romans 13:11-14. Jesus’ return is near! The day is at hand! It’s time to awake from our sleep and be ready for Jesus to come again.

 

Matthew 24:42-44; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6.

 

7. Luke 21: 28,36. We see the signs fulfilled; it’s time to look up, for our redemption draws near!

 

ST-End.

[TOP]