SIGNS OF CHRIST’S RETURN TO THE EARTH

August 2010 article by Tim Beall

Jesus, when questioned about his future return to the Earth, told his disciples that there would be clear signs that those who studied God’s word the Bible would recognise. Just look at his words.

Luke 21:10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

Luke 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Luke 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Luke 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

So there are signs which would herald Jesus Christ’s return to the Earth to set up God’s kingdom. Previous articles have dealt with earthquakes in divers’ places. These continue but, in God’s mercy, he doesn’t leave us with one sign. The signs abound. Consider the following article found on the internet.

As the Sun Awakens, NASA Keeps a Wary Eye on Space Weather

Earth and space are about to come into contact in a way that's new to human history. To make preparations, authorities in Washington DC are holding a meeting: The Space Weather Enterprise Forum. Many technologies of the 21st century are vulnerable to solar storms. Richard Fisher, head of NASA's Heliophysics Division, explains what it's all about:

"The sun is waking up from a deep slumber, and in the next few years we expect to see much higher levels of solar activity. At the same time, our technological society has developed an unprecedented sensitivity to solar storms. The intersection of these two issues is what we're getting together to discuss."

The National Academy of Sciences framed the problem two years ago in a landmark report entitled "Severe Space Weather Events—Societal and Economic Impacts." It noted how people of the 21st-century rely on high-tech systems for the basics of daily life. Smart power grids, GPS navigation, air travel, financial services and emergency radio communications can all be knocked out by intense solar activity. A century-class solar storm, the Academy warned, could cause twenty times more economic damage than Hurricane Katrina. Much of the damage can be mitigated if managers know a storm is coming. Putting satellites in 'safe mode' and disconnecting transformers can protect these assets from damaging electrical surges. Preventative action, however, requires accurate forecasting - a job that has been assigned to NOAA.

Indeed as Jesus said “signs in the sun”

So these are signs, among many others from the Great Creator that he is very soon to send His Son back to this earth. With that in mind we are told very clearly what we should do.

2 Pet 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Jesus we are told is to judge men and women when he returns according to their works and faith. That judgment will be fair because we are told exactly what we must do in God’s word.

John 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

So we must read God’s word, and let it shape our lives. In all things we must acknowledge our God’s greatness and that we can only obtain salvation through God’s grace and the saving work of his son.

Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Judgment yes, based on God’s words in the Bible. We’re told to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” - that is, put God’s word before everything else, make it our priority, live by it, speak about it, think about it, be regularly in contact with God in prayer. It’s not always easy to follow that wonderful example set by Jesus Christ but the Bible tells us we must try. If we are truly trying we have the assurance of our God’s character. Look at these words from Exodus when God revealed himself to Moses

Exo 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

Exo 34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty

So God is merciful. He wants us to be in his Kingdom. As it says in Peter He’s not willing that any perish. If we do indeed love the Lord our God with all our heart and soul and mind he will welcome us into his kingdom. We show that love by watching out for the signs of the times, by finding out all we can about God and his kingdom. We can only do that by reading regularly His word. If we do we will realize what wonderful things are set before us

Isa 35:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Eventually even death will be a thing of the past.

Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

What a wonderful, wonderful prospect. So in the short time that remains let us take heed to God’s words and to the signs He puts before us and “seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness”