Signs of the Second Coming (Part 1)

There are two extreme attitudes towards end time prophecies.
 
One is sensationalism, which is highly speculative.
 
The other is scepticism, which is down right scoffing.
 
2 Peter 3:3-4 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation."
 
We need to take a scriptural and spiritual attitude.
 
Jesus is indeed coming back, and His Second Coming is very soon, sudden and surprising.
 
We don't know the exact date of Jesus' Second Coming, but signs of His return are everywhere.
 
Today I want to share with you 7 great signs that point to the imminent return of King Jesus.
 
7 Great Signs of His Return:
 
1.   Rebirth of the State of Israel
 
Matthew 24:32-34 Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33 so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
 
Fig tree is a prophetic symbolism of the nation of Israel. The blossoming of the fig tree is a prophecy of Israel becoming an independent nation again.
 
There are multiple OT prophecies about the Jews returning to their homeland, such as : Ezekiel 36:8-12; 37:21; Jeremiah 16:14-15.
 
When Jesus spoke these words, Israel was still under the Roman Empire. Not only that, in the year AD 70, the Roman army came marching in to crush the Jewish revolt for independence.
 
As a result, Jerusalem was destroyed, the temple burnt, the nation scattered for nearly 2,000 years!
 
During World War II, Hitler began a satanic campaign to systematically eradicate the Jewish race.
 
Millions of Jews were killed, but out of that tragedy came the fulfilment of Ezekiel 37, where the valley of dry bones came back to life and became a mighty army of the Lord.
 
On 14 May 1948, Israel declared independence and the State of Israel was formed.
 
This is the greatest of modern day miracles!
 
A nation that has been destroyed for nearly 2000 years, a people who has been scattered around the world, a race that was fiercely hated and on the brink of genocide, yet they survived, thrived, and rose up to rebuild their nation!
 
Prophecy was fulfilled, because God is faithful, and God keeps His promises.
 
The miracle continues, because the Arab nations went to war immediately to wipe out the newly formed Israeli state.
 
Israel was out-numbered and out-gunned, nobody expected them to make it, but they did.
 
From a military point of view, you cannot explain how Israel could survive the attack of the Arabian forces.
 
But from a Biblical and prophetic point of view, you can see that the God of the Old Testament is still on the throne. He is the One who kept and protected His people.
 
Furthermore, in 1967 war broke out again. Arab nations led by Jordan came attacking Israel. This was known as Six Day War.
 
In six days, Israel defeated the enemy and took back more of their own land, including the Eastern half of Jerusalem. Since then, Jerusalem was a undivided city under Israel.
 
What is the significance of all these events?
 
Israel is God's prophetic time clock. Whatever happens in Israel affects the world.
 
Matthew 24:34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.
 
How long is a generation? 40 years, 70 years, 100 years? Does the prophetic time clock starts on 1948 or 1967?
 
The rebirth of the Israeli State is a clear sign that Jesus is coming back very, very soon!
 
2.   Re-Emergence of the Ancient Roman Empire
 
Revelation 17:9-10 Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits, 10 and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while.
 
"Five have fallen" refers to five great world powers: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia and Greece.
"one is" refers to the current power when John wrote the book of Revelations, which was the Roman Empire.
 
Unlike the previous five world powers, Rome was never really conquered, but internal decline led to disintegration into the East and West empires.
 
According to Bible prophecy, Rome would rise again as a world empire, which is fulfilled in our lifetime, in the formation of the European Union.
 
In Daniel 2:36-45, Nebuchadnezzar dreamt of a giant statue. Daniel provided the interpretation:
 
Babylon - head of gold
Persia - silver chest & arms
Greece - bronze belly & thighs
Rome - iron legs
European Union - two feet & ten toes of iron and clay
 
Bible preachers have been predicting the rise of the European nations as one super power, and it came to pass in the 1950s, again during our lifetime.
 
Initially formed out of economic and commercial needs, the European Union today has its own parliment, currency, even its own language.
 
Out of the EU will rise the Anti-Christ, who will form a one world government during the 7 years tribulation period.
 
3.   Globalization of the World
 
a)   World Travel
 
Daniel 12:4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
 
Many years ago people began talking about the world as a global village.
 
Modern technology has allowed the world to travel to and fro and communicate almost instantaneously.
 
To put things in perspective, keep in mind that over a hundred years ago, people were still depending on wind and human power to sail across oceans, taking months and years to do so.
 
Today, we are running to and fro across continents within hours or at most within a day.
 
b)   Knowledge Explosion
 
Many years ago people also began talking about knowledge explosion, and that was before the internet era!
 
Up until 1900 human knowledge doubled approximately every century. By the end of World War II knowledge was doubling every 25 years. Today, it is doubling every 13 months. Scientists predict that soon it will be doubled every 12 hours!
 
c)   Worldwide Communication
 
Revelation 11:9-10 Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
 
The Bible predicted many events in the last day that mankind can see and hear globally. Today it has come to pass in the form satellite broadcast and internet live telecast.
 
d)   Global Positioning & Tracking
 
Revelation 13:16-17 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17 and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.
 
The technology is available today through microchip implants. Mostly used to keep track of pets, but in places people are using it to replace membership cards.
 
Conclusion:
 
2 Peter 3:11-12 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!