Believers have been talking about the last days for centuries and still the Saviour has not returned to this earth. Like a pregnant woman waiting for the birth of her child, the Church of the Almighty waits patiently for the coming of the Messiah. A seemingly endless delay has produced a variety of responses in people's minds. I will list three of them using the Saviour's own analogy of a normal pregnancy. The three most common responses are:
The woman is not pregnant. If anything, she's barren. Poor soul, she's suffering from a 'phantom pregnancy.' Agreed, there are some signs; but the truth is she's just getting fat. Can't you see it? She's not pregnant at all. Besides, she and her husband are both very old and are totally incapable of having a child at their ages. The very idea is laughable. This view is expressed in this text.
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2 Peter 3:3-5 |
"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts; And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men." |
The foolish woman has got her dates mixed up. I'll accept she's pregnant, but the birth is not going to be for a long, long time - most certainly not in this century. This view is expressed in the following text.
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Matthew 24:48 |
"My Lord delayeth his coming ..." |
The woman is pregnant without a doubt and her time is very near. The signs are all too evident; but we cannot tell the exact day or the hour. We must be ready. This reaction agrees with the text:
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Matthew 24:13 |
"Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour when the Son of Man cometh." |
Yahweh forecast these reactions to the prophecies concerning His Son's return. He also illustrated the progress of future events with a number of symbolic prophecies to help us prepare ourselves for Christ's return.
In Daniel chapter 2 we have a preview of several world empires which would come and go in the course of time. Of each world empire in turn we have one or two monarchs of renown whose activities with the people of God have a message to all of us living in these last days. Let us briefly consider these world empires and their rulers. Read about it in Daniel chapter 2.
The little horn is different from the other horns (Dan.7:24)
Read Matthew 24 where in unmistakable tones the Master has outlined the events that will occur just before his return. Compare this chapter with Lesson 14 in the SBS course, and see our online booklet, Understand the Revelation.
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Matthew 24:4-5 |
"Take heed ... for deceivers will abound" |
Far East, Middle East, S. Africa, Ireland, Eastern Europe.
Like sores on a diseased man, troubles are breaking out in many countries.
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Matthew 24:6 |
"There shall be wars and rumours of war." |
Biafra / Ethiopia / India
Europe will not escape this sign.
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Matthew 24:7 |
"There shall be famines in various places." |
Spiritual: Loss of faith - no resistance against sin
Physical : AIDS - no resistance against germs
Time magazine stated in 1987 that:
Here is a problem of unimaginable dimensions. The only answer to AIDS is a return to obedience of Yahweh's laws. This means that adultery, fornication and homosexuality must stop if AIDS is to be contained. Do not hesitate to warn your congregations of this earth-encompassing scourge!
Persecution of Yahweh's followers, particularly the Jews. This is on the increase again. Persecution of Sabbath keepers or for "Yahweh's Name" (His Signature and character).
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Matthew 24:9 |
"Ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake." |
Yahweh's Name is His Sign, His Signature, His law. It represents all that He stands for and is.
A change in weather patterns around the world. Stand by for unusual changes in the atmosphere, the sun, the moon and the stars. (Gen.1:14, Matt.24:29, Rev.16:8)
The Son of Man is himself a sign. From his conception, his birth, his miracles, his death, the period of time he spent in the grave and his resurrection - all of these are Signs of the Son of Man. Each and every occurrence in which he is involved is a sign, a signal, an indication to the whole universe what the Most High is going to do through the Son of Man (Yeshuah). But more than this, Christ is going to be seen as he returns to earth. Every eye will see him return. (Matt.24 30, Rev.1:7)
The parable of the two servants (Matt 24:42-51) sums up the church's reaction to this awesome message. Basically there are two types of believers.
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v48-49 |
My Lord is delaying His coming; and he shall begin to smite his fellow servants and to eat and drink with the drunken. |
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v42-47 |
He gave his fellow servants food in due season. |
How you react to the Saviour's message about his return is a good indication of which type of servant you are.
July 1999
MatanYah Learning Centre, Duiwelskloof, South Africa
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