SIGNALS PRIOR TO CHRIST’S RETURN
By Frank Eiklor and Cecilia Contreras
LESSON 43 Part 4
INTRODUCTION
Even as I prepare this lesson, two more giant banking companies are collapsing in the United States. Our government—already buried in debt—makes more guarantees in loans to try to avoid a financial catastrophe. Many thousands of people are losing their homes. Gas and oil prices have caused a frightening price increase in other fields of commerce like air travel and food.
Many experts say that if the present course continues, there is calamity ahead—not only for the USA but also for the world. And the fear of nuclear and environmental destruction is spreading worldwide as poverty, wars and disease grow like a terrible cancer.
“Peace and prosperity!” is what the masses cry for. And if Satan himself can deliver “peace and prosperity”, the world’s leaders will one day (soon?) choose him.
God warned us in advance what signs would precede the end of time. Jesus gave specific signs that would tell His followers that His return was near. We are studying 12 of those prophetic signs of the times. This is not the hour for Christ’s followers to cower in fear, but to get our priorities straight and share the good news of salvation and a glorious future with all who will listen.
Thus far, we have looked at nine signals that will take place prior to Christ’s return. In this lesson, we will study the final three signals. Then we will return to our series in the book of Revelation.
Signal # 1—THE PHYSICAL REBIRTH OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL
Signal # 2—JERUSALEM AGAIN THE UNDIVIDED CAPITAL OF ISRAEL
Signal # 3—THE DISINTEGRATION OF MORALITY
Signal #4—UNENDING FAMINES, VIOLENCE, WARS AND PLAGUES
Signal #5—STEADY INCREASE IN KILLER EARTHQUAKES
Signal #6—EZEKIEL’S VISION OF A LAST DAY’S INVASION OF ISRAEL
Signal #7—A THREATENED NUCLEAR HOLOCAUST
Signal #8—A CALL FOR A CHARISMATIC LEADER
Signal #9—THE CALL FOR A REBUILT TEMPLE
Signal # 10—A TRAVEL AND EDUCATION EXPLOSION
The prophet Daniel received incredible visions concerning the last days of planet Earth. One interesting word from God is that man’s knowledge would greatly increase even while his spiritual eyesight would be reduced to near blindness. Look at what the centuries have brought. From camels to cars. From paths in the deserts to planes in the skies. From splitting logs to splitting atoms. From times with limits to technologies without limits.
Yet while we are discovering new planets, we cannot uncover the secrets to true happiness and peace. Man is lost—terribly, hopelessly lost from the Creator who made him. That Creator is Jesus Christ. So man will grow intellectually smarter even while remaining spiritually stupid.
“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Daniel 12:4. “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:7
Signal #11—A CULT AND DEMONIC EXPLOSION
He was another in a long list of false messiahs saying, “I am the Christ!” This one was on my television screen: a short, balding man, perhaps in his sixties, from Brazil. He was proud of his number—666—and he was surrounded by young and beautiful women. Here we go again!
Jesus said many would come in His name and deceive the hearts of the simple, sinful and proud. Eastern mysticism and meditation is a big thing in the gullible West. And one day a “world leader” will appear on the scene with the persuasion of a god and the heart of a devil.
Jesus warns His children to know the Scriptures, live in obedience to the Father’s will, and stay alert to the signs of the times.
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.” Matthew 24:24,25. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils…” 1 Timothy 4:1
Signal #12—WORLD EVANGELISM
It would be easy to think that with so much evil taking place, surely Christ’s followers would be stopped in their tracks. But the opposite is true. An increase in evil and suffering makes many people hungry for life that only God can give. What often appears as the “devils time” just as often turns out to be God’s “harvest time” as great multitudes cry out for mercy and forgiveness. That brings us to the final signal in our study—that the world will be fully evangelized before Christ signals “The End.”
We have the privilege of hastening that day by obeying our Lord’s “Go ye” command to carry His gospel to all the world. Let the Holy Spirit use your life to bring His life to others. The Day of Celebration is growing nearer!
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matthew 24:14
