SIGNS OF THESE TIMES
When Daniel prophesied about the time of the end that "many will go here and there to increase knowledge" (Daniel 12:4), would he have envisioned stealth bombers, the use of nuclear power for destruction and for powering ships and submarines, heat-seeking missiles for destruction of enemy equipment, the daily use of television to instantly transmit the development of intrnational crises? Or would Daniel have envisioned the storing and retrieval of information through the use of computers, the economic and political involvement of all nations of the world in the affairs of one another, the sifting through ruins of ancient cities, the digging up of bones and artifacts, the huge libraries accessible by computer hookups, the taking of same-week vacations in any part of the world simply by purchase of airline tickets, the movement of troops halfway around the world within one week-much faster than Alexander the Great could march his troops across Mesopotamia? The Lamsa Translation of Daniel 12:4 indicates that "many shall want to know the end, and knowledge shall be increased." This would suggest that end time events would be the focus of increased knowledge, or knowing the "outcome of all this," the "end results" would be the focus of attention. Modem technology has made possible the rapid culmination of major world events. This was demonstrated by the accelerated decline of the communistic governments in several eastern European nations, and the crumbling of the Berlin Wall.
THE BIBLE HAS THE ANSWERS
Of the millions of books that have been published, there is only one in which these answers are found. This Book is also the only one which foretells that there will be such things as we have just mentioned. This Book is the Holy Bible-the Word of the living God. Writers of the Bible not only prophesied of present-day inventions and conditions, they also told exactly what these modem devices lead to and what the final end will be. This information is available for everyone, and it should be especially meaningful to all who are interested in eternal life for themselves. The Bible divides time into distinct periods, or ages, and tells of events and conditions in each. We count our time from the birth of Christ. By historical records, the time of creation of the world has been placed at about 4,000 years before Christ. The first 1,650 years marked the time before the Flood-the time of long life, mighty men, giants, and great wickedness. Wickedness became so great during this age that "the Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain" (Genesis 6:6). Therefore, God caused the mighty Flood to cover the earth to destroy all life upon it-that is, all except the aquatic creatures, animals, and the four men and four women that were preserved in the ark. The different layers of rock on the earth, the mountains, and the fossils all testify to the truth of the flood. The next 2,350 years constituted the time of a cultural development of the races and nations of men until the time of Christ during the Roman Empire. The great nations which arose during this time, to become historical landmarks, were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Their rise and fall and some of the events in the history of each are described in the Bible. The prophecy of the Great Image in the second chapter of the book of Daniel is one which tells of the rise and fall of the nations from Babylon until the Second Advent of Christ. It has been, and is being, fulfilled exactly as foretold in the sacred Book. Where are we now in this chain of divine prophecy?
THE LAST DAYS
This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people (Acts 2:16,17a).
In this verse the apostle Peter is quoting from the book of the prophet, Joel, and he declares that this prophecy was being fulfilled in the experiences of the day of Pentecost. Thus, he identifies the beginning of the period of time to be known as the last days. In general, it is thought of as being from the time of the ministry of Christ until His Second Advent. We have been in the last-day period for over 1,900 years. The conditions predicted for this period have been seen and continue to be seen to a greater and greater extent. What are these last-day conditions?
PERILOUS TIMES
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days (Il Timothy 3: 1).
In the following verses a list of sins is given, which will be outstanding during this time and it is declared in verse thirteen that sinful conditions will get worse and worse. In this chapter we also find that people are to become "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-having a form of godliness but denying its power" (II Timothy 3: 2-5). These conditions were found in the churches of the Roman Empire at the time of Paul, but the reading of any daily newspaper will reveal that all these sinful practices and conditions are prevalent today. In fact, these are the great sins of modem people, and they comprise the heart of our great problems. With church membership at an all-time high, the per-thousand crime rate is also the highest in history. The "form of godliness" that is being manifested does not prevent these great sins. Truly, we are living in the "last days," yes, even in the last of the "last days."
THE TIME OF THE END
The particular time in which we live is especially described in the Bible as the "time of the end." We find this phrase in Daniel 12:4:
But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end.
Thus far we can conclude that the book of Daniel was not to be understood until a time known as the "time of the end." With this under standing, such questions arise as: When is this time to be? and By what sign, or signs, will people be able to recognize it? The last part of the verse explains that "many will go here and there to increase knowledge." During the time before Christ and for eighteen centuries after Christ, this Bible verse had little meaning. Knowledge increased, but the process was very gradual. Men traveled and went about their work in about the same way century after century, but with little thought given to making improvements. However, during the 100 years from 1800 to 1900 the world underwent the Industrial Revolution. The increase of knowledge was spectacular. This was evidenced in many ways. Particularly outstanding was the revolutionary change seen in the mode of travel and transportation. During the centuries before this time, people had known only three ways by which to travel from place to place: by foot, by riding on or being pulled by animals, and by boats -but limited to those either propelled by oars or by the wind. Then suddenly it seemed that men began to do things and go places with mechanically-powered machines and conveyances instead of by physical means. The steam engine was invented, and with it the steamship and the locomotive. Transportation by means of ocean liners and railroad trains became one of the grand miracles of the time. Along with this miracle also came the advent of gasoline and electricity, and as a result, scores of new devices began to make their appearance. By 1900, people thought mankind had about reached the pinnacle of inventive genius. Knowledge and scientific discovery were accelerated during the Second World War and the period following it. At no time in the history of mankind has there been so much knowledge. That knowledge, accompanied by advances in technology, has put men on the moon, sent exploratory probes around distant planets, and continues to speed men in their quest to "go here and there to increase knowledge."
"THE SIGN OF YOUR COMING, AND OF THE END OF THE AGE"
The chapters of the Gospels which contain in formation on the signs which will precede the Second Advent of Christ are Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. These chapters tell the same story. The disciples pointed out to Jesus the greatness of the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus declared that the time would come when the Temple would be destroyed. The disciples apparently thought that such an event would surely mean the end of the world.
"Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3).
Jesus answered this question by telling about the destruction of the Temple (which was destroyed in A.D. 70) and also about the signs of His Second Advent. He declared that great, world moving events would take place-famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and great wars. Let us notice the way the wars are described:
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places (Matthew 24:6, 7).
By this men were to understand that through the centuries there would be wars and rumors of wars. Yes, war seems to be common to man. But note that there would come a time when there would be nation .against nation, and kingdom against kingdom," which pictures conflicts involving many nations on each side. This would come as one of the signs just prior to the Second Advent of Christ, and so it would be logical to look for such a war, or wars, at the time when other signs were being fulfilled. And what is to be found? During the 20th century, when the signs fore told to take place in "the day of his preparation" were being so wonderfully fulfilled, two great wars were fought, each involving many nations and kingdoms. In this connection pestilences are mentioned which we now call epidemics or plagues. Historians record that following the First World War there was the great world-wide influenza epidemic which killed great numbers of people. Many very great and widespread earthquakes have also been recorded during this same time. Famines are common in many parts of the world. Today, there is a world-wide food shortage resulting in the starvation of millions. Surely the great world wars of this century and other signs are a fulfillment of prophecy and point to the soon coming of Christ.
THE RETURN OF THE JEWS, ANOTHER GREAT SIGN
In Luke 21, in connection with the prophecies of wars as a sign preceding the Second Advent, Jesus told of the destruction of Jerusalem and what would happen to the Jews. This indicated that a terrible time could be expected, for the Savior further stated:
How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people [the Jews). They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled (verses 23,24).
Even before Christ came the first time, the Jews had been widely scattered into other countries. But Jesus in this chapter predicted that following the destruction of Jerusalem, the Jews would be in every country of the world in a captive condition. It is recorded in history that after the Romans captured Jerusalem, in A.D. 70, and after they completely destroyed the city again in A.D. 133, that the Jews were driven away and forbidden to come anywhere near the city. They were banished from Palestine, and from that time onward Jews could not freely go to Israel. Roman rule passed to Mohammedan and Turkish rule, and the Jews were kept out. Thus, in a sense, these Israelitish people were captives in the lands where they lived, inasmuch as they could not return to the land they called home. But notice that Jesus said this captivity would only last until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. This limits the time and indicates that the captivity would end-that a time would come when Jews would again be permitted to return to Jerusalem. The Gentiles were to rule over Jerusalem, but their time of control would end or "be fulfilled." This ending of Gentile rule over Jerusalem and a return of the Jews is included among the signs which would preface the Second Advent of Christ. We are living in the time near to this Second Advent; we are seeing events in Israel which reveal fulfillment of this prophecy.
A WONDERFUL FULFILLMENT
The one great and permanent result of World War I was the liberation of Palestine from Turkish rule. The Mohammedans and Turks had ruled since the time of Omar (in A.D. 637) until December of 1917 when the British captured the city of Jerusalem. In 1918 the British issued the Balfour Declaration permitting Jews once more to go to Israel and to Jerusalem. Prior to this a few Jews had been able to arrange to settle in Israel, But under great hardships. However, after the Balfour Declaration, the way was opened for thousands of Jews to return. During the following 30 years -from 1918 to 1948 about 600,000 Jews returned, which was, in itself, a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy. But the great climax came in 1948 when, on May 14, the country of Israel was proclaimed an independent nation. Then the flood-tide of Jews was released, and from nearly every country of the world they moved in such great numbers that in the following three years another 600,000 arrived in Israel. The entire Jewish population of many countries made the journey to the homeland. And the movement has continued so that the present population exceeds three million. In June of 1967 Israel captured the old city of Jerusalem and the Arab land on the west bank of the Jordan River, thus completing the fulfillment of the prophecy of Luke 21:24.
"FOR THE LORD WILL REBUILD ZION"
The result of this great movement of Jews has been a wonderful rebuilding of Israel. A great new city of Jerusalem has grown up around the ancient walled city. Israel has become one of the most progressive and scientifically advanced nations of the world. The land, the cities, and the buildings have been built up, and the people have been united in a great progressive movement as a result of the fulfillment of the prophecy of their return. An account of this same prophecy is also recorded, hidden as it were, in the Psalms. Here it is:
You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity. The nations will fear the name of the Lord, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory. For the Lord will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory (Psalm 102:13-16).
Truly the Lord has been rebuilding Zion-and at the very time when all the other prophecies pertaining to the Second Advent are being fulfilled. Yes, soon the Savior is to appear in His glory!
THE GATHERING FOR CONFLICT
The return of hundreds of thousands of Jews to Israel will have brought great prosperity, resulting in a concentration of enticing wealth. The thirty eighth chapter of Ezekiel contains a prophecy foretelling that after the Jews have returned to the land of Israel and have built it up and are living there peacefully, a great northern power will de sire the wealth of the land and will invade it. The invasion will be met by armies from a group of nations, and the result will be a world-shaking conflict. The fighting will be centered in Israel and will culminate in Jerusalem. The gathering of the nations for this conflict is described in the sixteenth chapter of Revelation where, in verse 12, it is indicated that one group of powers will be "the kings from the East." This suggests that the conflict will include eastern and western nations.
THE DAY OF THE LORD
In God's great timetable of events leading up to the Second Coming of Christ, we have found the terms, "last days," the "time of the end," and the "day of his preparation." There is one more term used to describe the time which will include the Second Advent. It is "the day of the Lord." This time is vividly described in Joel 1: 15 and in Joel 2: 1 -11 as a time of great destruction. The apostle Paul uses the same term in I Thessalonians 5:2, 3:
For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While
The illustration of the thief is not that of silence; rather, it is to depict surprise. Even though there have been, and will be, vivid and great signs, the Second Advent of Christ will not be expected by most of the people of the world. But God's people will not be caught by surprise, because they will have been watching the signs. Paul said:
He admonished that people should "be alert and self-controlled" (I Thessalonians 5:6). This is in accord with the strong appeal Jesus made after He had given the prophecies pertaining to the signs of His return. He said:
Jesus has given signs for our time-signs to show when His Second Advent is near. These signs are being wonderfully fulfilled, and more wonderful still is the fact that they are now nearly all fulfilled. The nations are already preparing for the final conflict. Soon, very soon, we may expect to see Christ appearing in all His glory. Jesus gave signs to strengthen our faith. In a wonderful way they prove the truth of the Bible.
people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly.
But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief (I Thessalonians 5:4).
Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door (Matthew 24:33). Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ... So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him (Matthew 24:42,44). Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36).
God is real and His Word is truth. Jesus is coming soon! Now is the time to believe this truth and to accept His wonderful salvation. Now is the time to learn the true way of the Lord and to be found among the saints of God-those who "obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus" (Revelation 14:12~-when Christ comes to re ward the faithful. When Christ is seen coming in the clouds of heaven, it will be too late to get ready for His coming. Today He is calling people to repentance. Paul stressed:
I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation (H Corinthians6:2b).
And the writer of Hebrews repeated:
Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts (Hebrews 3:7b,8)
