He Will Return - Part 1
by Pastor Bill Pevlor
With the striking of midnight New Years Eve we ring out the old and usher
in the new. 2001 holds plenty of promise and hope for the eternal optimist.
However, for many there also seems to be serious potential for gloom and doom in
2001. There are wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, droughts, a failing world
economy, widespread starvation, incurable disease, and unstable governments. The
world (including America) is a shaky place; just watch the evening news.
For Bible reading Christians it’s an exciting time. It is fascinating
to compare today’s events with God’s Word; the Holy Bible. The pieces of the
“end times” puzzle are falling into place. Bible prophecy is being confirmed
daily on the front page of the newspaper.
In the gospel of Mark, chapter 13, Jesus describes some signs that will
point to His return. In verse 26 He says “At that time men will see the Son
of Man (Jesus) coming in clouds with great power and glory. And He will send His
angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to
the ends of the heavens.”
Having just celebrated Christmas, the first coming of Christ, it seems
appropriate to examine what the Bible says about His second coming. What events
or “signs” are predicted in the Bible as a precursor to Jesus’ return? To
adequately explore the prophecies in the Bible concerning the return of Jesus
would require a great deal of space and time. This week and next I’ll attempt
to give you some “highlights” to start you thinking and, hopefully, studying
the topic further.
Let’s start with wars. In Mark 13:7-8 Jesus said, “When you hear
of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the
end is still to come. Nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom.” The Twentieth Century has been the century of war. Yes, there
have always been wars, but not like we’ve seen in this century. Over 100
million people have been killed in wars this century alone. That’s more people
than are believed to have been alive at the time of Jesus’ prophecy. Since
World War I (the war to end all wars) there have been more than 300 wars. There
are more than 67 armed conflicts raging today. There are also many “rumors of
wars” going around these days. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus said, “do
not be alarmed” by these wars and rumors?
The apostle Paul predicted what we might expect in the last days when he
wrote “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People
will be 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.” (2 Timothy
3:1-4) In all history, I don’t believe you will find a period to fit Paul’s
description of the “last days” better than today. Are people lovers of
themselves? Are children disobedient to their parents? Are people boastful,
abusive, brutal, slanderous, and treacherous? Look around you, read the paper,
watch the news and you’ll see it all.
People receive widespread approval today for behavior that would have
been unspeakable only thirty years ago. Such hideous crimes are committed today,
prosecutors have a difficult time convincing a jury someone could be guilty of
such gruesome offences. Society, as a whole, will continue to degenerate until
Jesus does return.
Today’s events are lining up with what the Bible predicts will take
place just before Jesus returns. Exactly when He will return is only known by
God, but we can see signs of the last days in every newscast. I’ll share even
more “signs” in next week’s article. For a more detailed listing of
biblical signs of the last days, I’ll be sharing a message on New Year’s Eve
entitled Countdown to the Last Days during the New Year’s Eve Countdown
Celebration at Victorious Faith Ministries; 219 State Street in Algoma. The
Countdown Celebration will begin at 10 p.m. and run through midnight.
It is fascinating to look at the evidence pointing to the imminent return of Jesus. Though we don’t know exactly when Jesus will return, we can see, by the signs, the time is drawing very near. Exactly when Jesus will return is not nearly as important as your current spiritual condition. The crucial question is, “If Jesus came on the clouds today and sent His angels to gather His people, are you ready? Are you one of His people?” If not, visit a Bible believing church and ask them to explain the Good News from God’s Word.
Back for more Good News
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Faith Ministries
219 State Street, Algoma, WI 54201
Phone: 920-487-5775
©2000 Victorious Faith Ministries