Our Lord’s Great Prophecy

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What trying experience did Christ then foretell?

 

“For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again.” Verse 21.  

 

Note – In the siege of Jerusalem a prophecy of Moses (Deuteronomy 28:47-53) was finally fulfilled: “Because of the suffering that your enemy will inflict on you during the siege, you will eat the fruit of the womb, the flesh of the sons and daughters the Lord your God has given you. For the fulfillment, see Josephus, Wars of the Jews, Book 6, chap. 3, par. 4.

Following the destruction of Jerusalem came the persecution of the Christians under the pagan emperors during the first three centuries of the Christina era. Later came the greater and more terrible persecution during the long centuries of papal supremacy, foretold in Daniel 7:25 and Revelation 12:6. All these tribulations occurred under either pagan or papal Rome and will happen again during the Great Tribulation that is coming very soon. Current time: 01-25-2010.

 

For whose sake would the period be shortened?

 

“If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” Matthew 24:22.

 

Note – As Jesus Christ in His foreknowledge looked down the centuries to the end of the age, He saw the Great Tribulation that will last 1,335 days before His Second Coming. In Christ’s mercy, He will shorten this time in the suffering and persecution of His saints, or no flesh would survive the Great Tribulation at all.

 

Against what deceptions did Christ then warn us?

 

“At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is Christ!’ or, There he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christ’s and false prophets will appear to perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect – if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time.” Verses 23, 24.

 

World Conditions, Preparations

 

What were to be the signs on earth of Christ’s coming?

 

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint in terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” Luke 21: 25, 26.

 

What will be the next great event?

 

“At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Verse 27. (See Matthew 24:30.)

 

When these things begin to happen, what should we do?

 

“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28.  

 

When the trees put forth their leaves, what do we know?

 

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves comes out, you know that the summer is near.” Matthew 24:32. 

 

What do we likewise know after these signs are seen?

 

“Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.”

Verse 33. “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” Luke 21:31.

 

What did Christ say of the certainty of this prophecy?

 

“I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Matthew 24: 34,35.

 

Note – What Christ foretold of the destruction of Jerusalem came true to the very letter. Likewise may we be assured that what He has said about the end of the world will as certainly and as literally be fulfilled.

 

Who alone knows the exact day of Christ’s coming?

 

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Verse 36.

 

Note – The Father in Heaven or the Ancient of Days alone knows the precise moment of Christ’s coming but when the Great Tribulation gets underway, God’s children who have been studying Bible prophecy here at the end of time will know that after the massive world wide earthquake takes place there will be 1,335 days to Christ’s coming.

 

What moral conditions would precede Christ’s second advent?

 

“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took all them away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” Verses 37-39.

 

What important admonition has Christ given us?

 

“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Verse 44.

 

What will be the experience of those who say in their hearts that the Lord is not soon coming?

 

“But suppose that the servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and then he began to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at that hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Verses 48-51.   

 

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