In this article, I will discuss the second question the disciples asked and the response of the Lord to that question.
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying,"Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the Age?" (Matthew 24:3).
For prior to the time of the seven-year tribulation when conflicts and sufferings will reach its climax for the nation of Israel (Matt 24:9), there will be at least three major signs that are the harbingers of Christ Second Coming.
1) Deception (Matthew 24:4,5,11)
In these last days, deception of every kind will be prevalent. The rise and influence of the New Age movement and the cultic offshoots of almost every major religion and its denominations are some cases in point.
Some make outrages claims, other will adopt extremist practices that will ultimately lead their followers towards the path of destruction. Those who are ignorant and gullible will be easy prey as they are being persuaded by what their itching ears like to hear.
2) Wars and Rumors of Wars (Matthew 24:6,12)
There will be prevalence of wars, rumors of wars, human conflicts and strife of every kind. As the end of the age draws closer, the love for one another will draw greater apart. Greed and self-seeking agenda will dominate to create animosity and suspicion.
The stage is set for the great showdown between the forces of good and evil as the destiny of Israel and the church comes closer to fulfillment.
However, born again believers need not be alarm. For those who are faithful to the Lord Jesus and abide in Him will be raptured to heaven before the dawn of tribulation, for their redemption draws near.
3) Natural Disasters / Global Warming (Matthew 24:7)
Natural calamities like earthquakes, famines and pestilences are widespread in various places. These are signs of the 'beginning of the end'...the beginning of sorrows (verse 8).
In today's context, I would say it includes global warming. For such phenomena has resulted in tsunami, freak weather patterns like widespread flooding in some areas and drought in others. As a result, mountain snow, glaciers and icebergs are starting to melt rapidly causing a steep rise in sea-level that could threaten civilisations along the coastal regions of the world.
Perhaps the one greatest prophetic sign that has been fulfilled is the budding of the fig tree - which symbolise the restoration of the nation of Israel on May 14, 1948. This happened after centuries of wandering of the Israelites among the nations of the world.
As a nation, Israel was set aside and the fig tree was cut down because of disobedience and unfruitfulness. However, the time will come during the Millennial Age when Israel will be restored to its glory as in the days of the united kingdom of David and Solomon in God's prophetic timeline.
The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 24:34 that 'this generation' - the generation that witness the coming together of all these prophecies - will not pass away till all these have taken place. Assuming the starting timeline is the restoration of Israel in 1948, the question to pose is , 'how long is this generation'?
Some bible scholars are of the view that one generation is forty years, as one generation of the Israelites wandered for forty years and perished in the wilderness. Or is it three score and ten, that is seventy years, for an average lifespan according to the Psalmist? Could it be one hundred and twenty years as in the days of Noah when the Spirit of God stipulated the lifespan of man to be so? (Genesis 6:3). But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be (Matthew 24:37).
No one really knows for sure what the period of time 'this generation' is. Even our Lord Jesus Christ, while on earth did not know the time of His return. I suppose it is the prerogative of God to keep it secret so that the church will be on her toes to keep watch and pray. All we do know is that the time of Christ Second Coming is drawing nearer now than when He first warned His disciples on the Mount of Olives, almost two thousand years ago.
The church of Jesus Christ should be prepared for His Second Coming to usher in His glorious Millennial Kingdom on earth for a thousand years, where righteousness and peace dwell. That is the blessed hope for all who long for His return (Titus 2:13).
Adrian Fah is the author of The Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
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