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Chapter Four

The signs of the second coming of Christ

Our Lord promised specific signs that would indicate the near proximity of His return.
Jesus never said that He could return at any moment without any warning; indeed, He told us the very opposite, for He clearly stated that there will be specific signs of His coming. When Jesus said that we shall not know the day or the hour of His coming, He also said that we shall definitely know the season of His coming by the signs that He has given to us. When these specific signs come to pass, we are told, “look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh,” and “the kingdom of God is at hand,” and that His return “is near, even at the doors.” Mt.24v33. Lk.21v28,31. Though the day of the Lord will come as a thief upon the worldling and unlearned carnal Christian, Paul states in 1Thes.5v1-4., that it will not come as a thief upon Christians who know prophetic truth and are walking in the light. Mt.24v3,29,32-36. 25v13. Mk.13v28,29. Lk.21v25,26.

It is obvious from comparing Matt.24, Mk.13. and Lk.21. that our Lord's answer to the apostles question about the signs which would precede Jerusalem’s destruction and His second coming, has been greatly condensed. In Mt.24v15. and Mk.13v14., the Gospels of Matthew and Mark both record our Lord's reference to the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet. Dan.9v27. 11v31. and 12v11. Luke's Gospel does not mention the abomination of desolation, or refer to Daniel's prophecy; however, Luke alone records, in Lk.21v24., the equally important prophecy, that after the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, the Jews would be led captive into all nations, and that Jerusalem would be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles were fulfilled. It appears that Matthew and Peter, did not understand the significance of these words and so did not include them in their recollections of Christ's ministry, (Peter was the real author of Mark's Gospel, Papias tells us that Mark wrote down Peter's recollections of the ministry of Christ). Luke probably had “The Times of the Gentiles” explained to him by his companion Paul, who had these things revealed to him by our Lord. Gal.1v11,12. Eph.3v1-8. The times of the Gentiles started when Judah was taken into captivity to Babylon, and will finish when Jesus returns to set up His kingdom. The Scriptures tell us that the following signs will indicate the near return of Jesus, and the setting up of the kingdom of God.

Numerous False Prophets and Deceivers.
Many Scriptures reveal to us the reality of the powers of darkness and their increased activity through false prophets in the last days. Dan.10. all. Mt.24v5,11,24,25. 2Thes.2v3-12. Rev.12v7-12. 13v1-18. 16v13,14. 1Jn.5v19. Eph.2v1-3. 3v10. 6v11,12. 2Cor.4v4. Jn.14v30. 8v44. The actual rulers of the world are evil angels working through wicked men; and even as the increased activity of evil angels in the time of Noah brought a speedy and terrible decline in morality and righteousness, and an alarming increase in lawlessness and iniquity, so it will be in the last days of this age. Gen.6v1-8. Mt.24v37. Christians will have to walk with God, and put on the whole armour of God, to stand in these evil days. Eph.6v10-20. Lk.21v36. Satan is the cause of the great tribulation, it is his expulsion from the heavenly places to the earth that causes the great tribulation, and appalling wickedness in the world, and great woe and sorrow for the whole earth. Mt.24v8,15-22. Dan.12v1 with Rev.12v7-12.

Jesus warned us many times of the danger of being deceived by the false prophets of the last days. He warns us that some of them will even claim that they are Christ, and do miracles to substantiate their claims, which will almost deceive the very elect, something which is already happening in our day. Mt.24v11,24. Many Christians cannot give a Scriptural answer to the lies of Modernists, Spiritists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and other sects and cults. Be warned; there are even greater deceivers to come. Many of the false prophets of the last days will not only be preaching error, they will be killing those who are preaching the truth. The most evil of all these false prophets will be the final Antichrist, who will do great lying miracles by Satan's power to deceive the wicked. Rev.13v1-3,12-15. 2Thes.2v7-12. The False Prophet will give a counterfeit demonstration of fire from heaven to prove Antichrist's claim to deity; this was the very thing that Yahweh did through Elijah at Carmel to prove that He, not Baal, was God. 1Kings.18v24-26,36-40. Rev.13v13,14. 2Thes.2v3,4.

A Worldwide Persecution of Christians.
In Mt.24v12., Jesus said that Christians will be hated and persecuted by all nations and this will result in the love of many Christians “waxing cold.” In 2Thes.2v1-4., Paul informs us that Christ cannot come before the manifestation of Antichrist, and warns us against being deceived by any teaching that tells us otherwise. Paul uses the strong verb “exapatao,” “to deceive,” with the double negative “me tis, medena,” to emphasise his warning; “Do not let anyone deceive you in any way.” Paul warns us not to be gullible and states that Antichrist and “the falling away” must come “first,” “proton.” The “falling away” of 2Thes.2v3., is “apostasia,” and could be translated as “rebellion, revolt, or apostasy.”

A.T. Robertson comments on "apostasia" in 2Thes.2v3.:
“Except the falling away come first ('ean me elthei he apostasia proton').--- 'Apostasia' is the late form of 'apostasis' and is our word apostasy. Plutarch uses it of political revolt and it occurs in 1Macc.2:15 about Antiochus Epiphanes who was enforcing the apostasy from Judaism to Hellenism. In Josh.22v22. it occurs for rebellion against the Lord. It seems clear that the word here means a religious revolt and the use of the definite article ('he') seems to mean that Paul had spoken to the Thessalonians about it. The only other New Testament use of the word is in Acts.21v21. where it means apostasy from Moses. It is not clear whether Paul means revolt of the Jews from God, of Gentiles from God, of Christians from God, or of the apostasy that includes all classes within and without the body of Christ. But it is to be first ('proton') before Christ comes again. Note this adverb ('proton') when only two events are compared (cf. Acts.1v1.).” End of quote.

A.T. Robertson has certainly stated the truth when he says that “apostasia” here may be speaking of a rebellion and apostasy from God both inside and outside of the Church. The final Antichrist is the major cause of apostasy at the end of this age. In 2Thes.2v3,8. Paul gives Antichrist three dreadful names. In 2Thes.2v3., Paul calls him “the man of sin,” “ho anthropos tes hamartias,” (and “hamartias,” “sin,” is the reading of most manuscripts; “anomias,” “lawlessness,” is the minority reading”). In 2Thes.2v3., Antichrist is also called “the son of perdition,” “ho huios tes apoleias,” which is the identical phrase used by Jesus in Jn.17v12., to describe Judas. In 2Thes2v8., Antichrist is called “the Lawless One,” “ho anomos.” Note that each time the definite article “the” (“ho”) is applied to him, this signifies that he is both the greatest threat to mankind, and the most evil of all mankind. There will be a general rebellion against God over all the world during the great tribulation, but the persecution of Christians will be particularly ruthless and severe in the countries under the control of Antichrist, or in countries that have sympathy with him, and many Christians will die for their faith in these countries.

Abounding Lawlessness and Iniquity.
The spiritual conditions in the world are already alarming and the Scriptures tell us that they will get much worse. God's Word has foretold with perfect accuracy the abounding iniquity, and moral corruption and degeneration of national and home life in these last days; these prophecies are being fulfilled before our very eyes.

Our Lord warns of the flood and fullness of lawlessness in the last days.
In Mt.24v12., Jesus states that “because the lawlessness (anomia) is FILLED UP, the 'agape' love of most will grow cold.” The prevailing climate of lawlessness and spiritual darkness will cause the “agape” love of most Christians to grow cold. The words, “lawlessness is filled up,” are probably from the prophecy of Dan.8v23., which states that Antichrist will be manifested, “when transgressors are come to the full.” We see from Gen.15v16., that the Amorites and other dwellers of Canaan came under divine judgement when their iniquity came to the full. Woe to the world when it comes to the same fullness of evil. The world will become lawless on a local, national and international scale. The Antichrist being the very worst of lawbreakers is called “ho anomos,” “the Lawless One;” our Lord will destroy him by the brightness of His coming (“parousia”). 2Thes.2v8,9.

"As in the days of Noah." A major cause of this lawlessness is a greed, which results in escalating crime and violence on a world scale, just as in Noah’s day, when every thought of men was only evil continually, and violence filled the whole earth. Gen.6v5-13. This moral degeneration was also caused by evil spirits infiltrating mankind by taking upon themselves fleshly bodies, which though outwardly similar to human bodies were basically different from those of mankind. 1Pet.3v19,20. Jude.v6. These were the giants of Scripture. These giants are called:- The Nephilim, Gen.6v4. and Numb.13v32,33. The Anakim, Deut.1v28. 2v10,11,21. 3v11,13. 9v2. Josh.11v21,22. 14v12-14. The Emims. Deut.2v10,11. The Zamzummins, Deut.2v19-21. The Rephaim, Deut.2v11,20. 3v11,13. Josh.12v4. 13v12. 15v8. 18v16. 2Sam.21v16,18,20,22. 1Chron.20v4,6,8. The valley of the giants. Josh.15v8. 18v16. etc. Goliath and his compatriots were evil angels in flesh, the sons of the giant. 2Sam.21v15-22. The children that were born to the giants did not have souls and spirits given to them by God, they became the abode of evil spirits, these products of Satan's biological engineering will not be resurrected, for in Is.26v14., we read the “dead,” the Hebrew is “rephaim,” “giants,” will not be resurrected by God.

Ethnic conflicts. This lawlessness will also be seen in the hatred, conflicts and wars between ethnic groups, as our Lord said in Lk.21v10., “Nation will be lifted up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; “egerthesetai ethnos epi ethnos, kai basileia epi basileian.” Jesus warns that these are but the first travailing pains of the end of the age, much worse is to follow. Jesus said the appalling events of the great tribulation will be a threat to the survival of mankind. Mt.24v7-9,21,22.

In 2Tim.3v1-17. Paul describes the appalling moral and spiritual corruption of the last days.
Paul says the last days will be “perilous times,” “kairoi chalepoi,” that is, grievous, hard, difficult and dangerous times. Paul then goes on to describe the moral degeneration that will make the last days perilous.

Paul warns us that people will be lovers of evil and haters of God and good.
2Tim.3v2. “Lovers of self,” “philautoi,” Paul tells us that men will become utterly self-centred, selfish lovers of themselves
“Covetous,” “philaruroi,” only occurs here and Lk.16v14., see 1Tim.6v10.. Covetous lovers of money.

v4. “Lovers of pleasure,” “philedonoi,” which only occurs here, “rather than lovers of God,” “philotheoi,” which also only occurs here. Men will put worldly and sensual pleasure in the place of God, and will prefer and love pleasure more than God.

Paul warns us that people will have arrogant and violent hurtful attitudes.
2Tim.3v2. “Boastful,” “alazones,” only here and Rom.1v30.. These are empty pretenders, who to impress others, boast and brag, and magnify themselves, and so greatly exaggerate their achievements, that they go beyond the boundaries of truth.
“Proud and haughty,” “huperephanoi,” from “huper,” “above,” and “phainomai,” “to appear,” so it means “to appear above others,” that is, puffed up in pride, and arrogant in thought and conduct, in common parlance, “stuck up.”
“Blasphemers,” “blasphemoi,” biting abusive and hurtful speech from bitter hearts, they will rail at, and speak evil of people. Paul uses it in 1Tim.1v13., where he calls himself a former blasphemer, when he persecuted the Church.

2Tim.3v3. “Implacable trucebreakers,” “aspondos,” describes one who is hostile and irreconcilable, and who rejects terms and a truce with others.
“False accusers and slanderers,” “diaboloi,” from “diaballo,” to throw, so to make accusations, malicious slanderers, scandal-mongers and promoters of lies and quarrels, in the hope of personal gain. The Devil is so named because he is the chief slanderer; his whole life is taken up with accusing men to God, and slandering God to men. Rev.12v9,10.
“Incontinent,” that is, “without self-control,” “akrateis,” only occurs here, they are dissolute and have no power and control over their tongues, appetites, actions and lives.
“Fierce,” “anemeroi,” from the privative “a,” and “hemeros,” tame; so it means untamed, fierce, savage and brutal.
“Despisers of those that are good,” “aphilagathoi,” it only occurs here, compare Tit.1v8. and Phil.4v8.. These despisers hate those who are good, and actively oppose good people and good laws, and make laws that are hostile to righteous people.

2Tim.3v4. “Traitors,” “prodotai,” only here and Lk.6v16. and Acts.7v52., it speaks of treachery, betrayal and abandonment.
“Headstrong,” “propeteis,” which only occurs here and Acts.19v36., it speaks of a rushing and falling forwards, a hot-headed person ruled by emotion and passion, who is hasty and reckless in speech and actions.
“Puffed up and conceited,” “tetuphomenoi,” the perfect passive participle of “tuphoo,” literally to fill with smoke, the perfect tense shows a settled state of puffed up pride, self-importance, and conceit.

Paul warns of juvenile delinquency and breakdown of home relationships.
In 2Tim.3v2, Paul warns that Children will be disobedient to parents, “apeithes,” it speaks of a refusal to listen even to reasonable arguments, and total rebellion. v3. Homes will lack family love and natural affection, “astorgos,” a breakdown of family relationships, and lack of love between kinsfolk, parents and children. v2. People are unthankful, “acharistoi,” only here and in Lk.6v35., where it speaks of people being ungrateful to God for his daily innumerable kindnesses; here in the context of home relationships, as is unholy, “anosioi,” only here and 1Tim.1v9., a negative and “hosios.” True holiness begins at home.

Paul warns there will be a false religious form of godliness, without the reality of true inner godliness.
In 2Tim.3v5., God gives Paul an insight into the condition of the organised Christian Church in the last days. God told Paul that many religious leaders will only have a pencilled outline, “morphosin,” of truth, an outward religious form without true inner “morphe” of true religion and godliness, and they will deny the power of God. “Form,” is “morphosin,” is also used in Rom.2v20., where Paul speaks of a Jewish religious form without spiritual reality.

“Having denied” is “ernemenoi,” the perfect middle participle of arneomai,” the word speaks of a practice of denial, rather than a purely intellectual rejection and denial of God's power. The perfect tense shows the settled continual state of opposition to God. Paul directs Christians to turn away from such churches. In the instruction “from such turn away,” “turn away,” is “apotrepou,” the present middle imperative of “apotrepo,” “turn yourself away from,” a strong verb, which gives the thought of avoiding and turning away in horror. The present tense shows the continuous nature of this command.

Paul reveals that these religious charlatans will insidiously and stealthily seduce “silly little women,” and take them emotionally captive at spear point, “aichmalotizontes.” The diminutive, “little women,” “gunaikaria,” is used to express, not affection, but contempt, and describes women laden with many lustful cravings. These women are led into licentiousness under the guise of religion. These evil religionists have completely corrupt minds and withstand the truth, like the sorcerers of Egypt, Jannes and Jambres, withstood and opposed Moses, Exod.7v11., and Elymas withstood Paul. Exod.7v11. (“Anthistemi,” to stand against, to oppose, is used in both 2Tim.3v8. and Acts.13v8.) Paul warns us that there will be both immorality in religious leadership, and a floodtide of sensual occultism in the last days.

World-wide wars, hatred, strife and unrest.
Our Lord's warning of wars and rumours of wars and ethnic strife is a perfect description of the international situation today. The reports of ethnic wars, revolutions, and strife among the nations, dominate the news headlines. Mt.24v6,7. Lk.21v25,26. Dan.11v25. God's Word is coming to pass. The collapse of the Soviet empire has brought even more instability to the world situation. The brittleness and fractures in the feet of iron and clay of Nebuchadnezzar's image, reveal that the break-up of empires is a necessary forerunner to our Lord's coming. Jesus warned us that the wars of the great tribulation will be the worst that mankind has ever known. Rev.6v1-8. 9v13-21. Mt.24v15,21,22.

Natural catastrophes. famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and great storms.
Since the fall of man there have always been these natural disasters in the world, however, they are occurring today on a far greater scale than has ever been known before. The Scripture tells us that they will increase even more in the last seven years of this age. Mt.14v7. Lk.21v25. Zech.14v5. Rev.6v5,6. 16v18-20.

The Gospel has to be preached to all the world before the end can come. Mt.24v7.
This totally refutes the false teaching, that the early church taught that Christ could return at any moment, the evangelisation of the world was obviously going to take a considerable period of time. Many of the tribes and nations were unknown to the early disciples and have only recently been discovered. In Rev.7v9,13,14. we read of a great number of people out of every nation, kindred, people and tongue, who will come out of the great tribulation with a triumphant faith. They obviously experience great privation from the description given in Rev.7v15-17., but the great grace of God is sufficient under all circumstances. We read in Rev.14v6,7., that an angel will preach “the everlasting gospel,” “to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” Another angel follows this and informs the nations of divine judgement upon “Babylon.” A third angel warns the nations that those who continue to follow Antichrist will end in the lake of fire. This angelic preaching occurs in the last few hours of the great tribulation, just before our Lord returns to reap the harvest of the earth, and judge the wicked. Rev.14v8-20.

Signs in the heavens. Lk.21v25,26,31. Acts.2v19,20. Rev.6v12-17.
These Scriptures demand a literal fulfilment, and they will be fulfilled in the great tribulation.

A great outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Acts.2v15-21.
Since I wrote the first edition of this book over fifty years ago, there has been a remarkable outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Christians of all denominations. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit will continue right up to the great and terrible day of the Lord. Acts.2v16-21. God will give great power to His Church, they will be given gifts of mercy and grace to confirm the Gospel, and also mighty gifts of judgement to protect God's children and judge the wicked. The wickedness of the great tribulation will make these judgement gifts vitally necessary. Rev.11v5,6,10. Acts.5v1-11. 13v6-12. Dan.11v32,33.

Scoffers of the coming of Christ. 2Pet.3v3-14.
The increase of scepticism is a sure sign that we are in the last days, and that our Lord’s return is near. These scoffers wilfully deceive themselves that the God who has made the world, and who has judged it before, will not keep His promise of judgement on the wicked, and the establishment of a world of peace and purity after that judgement. Many scoffers today hide behind a false materialistic intellectualism, they unsuccessfully try to prove that the Scriptures are unscientific and unreliable. We see in Rev.6v12-17., how this chaff will react when Christ returns in all His glory. Ps.1v4-6. 2v1-12.

The ability of man to destroy the world.
Jesus said, “Except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.” Mt.24v22. This Scripture could not be fulfilled until man had weapons that could destroy the world. Jesus returns to save a shattered world from utter destruction, and to “destroy them which destroy the earth.” Rev.9v13-21. 11v18. The possession of nuclear weapons, nerve gas, bacteriological weapons, and other terrible means of mass destruction, proves to us beyond all doubt that the coming of the Lord is near. The great tribulation is due to the terrible wars that occur in the final 3½ years of this age, the armies of East and West confront one another in the last and most terrible war of all history.

The growth of the nation of Israel and the desecration of the holy of holies of the Temple.
The state of Israel was established on May 14th. 1948, a truly remarkable sign of the times. After being in the hands of the Romans, Moslems and Turks for many centuries, and then as a British Protectorate for about 30 years, Israel is now ruling herself again. This fulfils the prophecy of Ps.102v16., “When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory.”

On May 8th. 1958, a building was opened in Jerusalem, which was called, “Hechal Shlomo,” “The Temple of Solomon.” This caused great interest in secular and Christian magazines throughout the world, I will quote from one of them.
“A new Temple has arisen in Jerusalem 1,888 years after the destruction of the Temple by the Roman general, Titus, reports 'the Rand Daily Mail's correspondent from Jerusalem. Called 'The Temple of Solomon,' it is the supreme religious centre of world Jewry. Most of the Chief Rabbis of the Western world, including the Chief Rabbi of Johannesburg, Dr. L. I. Rabinowitz, are coming to Jerusalem for its dedication and opening on May 8th.(1958). The loftiest and most magnificent structure in Israel, the seven story domed 'Temple of Solomon'- built to overlook the ancient walls of Jerusalem and the 'wailing wall' of Herod's Temple, now in Arab hands- will house all the offices of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, the Institute for Religious Studies, one of the biggest Biblical libraries in the world, a great hall for religious gatherings, and the most inspiring synagogue in Israel The Holy Ark of the synagogue is a 220 year old Italian masterpiece, a gift of the Jewish community of Padua, Italy. Building on this marble and olivewood religious centre began five years ago. One third of its cost of £3,000,000 was donated by Jewish communities throughout the world, and the rest by the Anglo-Jewish millionaire, Isaac Wolfson, who has also wide commercial interests in South Africa.” End of quote.

When I read these articles in 1958 I thought that this was possibly the Temple that was going to be desecrated by the Antichrist; however, at that time I did give the following cautionary note in my book, “Let us wait and see, some say that another Temple is planned.” These were wise words, events and further knowledge have convinced me that this is NOT the temple that Antichrist will desecrate. Where will this desecrated Sanctuary be situated? Three possibilities come to mind.

Could the abomination of desolation be in the Mosque of Caliph Omar?
This Mosque is on the original site of the Temple, could this be looked upon as the place where the abomination of desolation takes place? Antichrist could bring the whole Moslem world behind him, if, in one of their most holy places, he causes His image to speak and live, to prove that he is god. It must be remembered that in A.D. 70, the abomination of desolation, that is, the desecration of the Temple, took place after the temple had been destroyed by fire, not before, when the Romans acclaimed their gods on the ruins of the Temple. As the abomination of desolation took place on the ruins of the Temple in A.D. 70; could this occur again on the ruins of the Temple? Is the mosque of Caliph Omar the place of abomination and desolation? We will have to wait and see.

Could the original holy of holies, long buried under the rubble, have been found?
In some places in Jerusalem there are sixty or more feet of rubble over the original ground where people walked in our Lord's time, it is possible that the original site of the Sanctuary of Herod's Temple has now been found under this rubble. The most holy place of the tabernacle in the wilderness,Ex.26v31-33., was a small cube of 10 cubits (15 ft. square) The Jews have been digging tunnels under the Temple mount, without disturbing the ground above. The original Holy of Holies is supposed to have been in line with the eastern gate, this is, it seems, just to the side of the Mosque of Caliph Omar. The site of the original Holy of Holies may have been found now under the rubble of the Temple mount. The word “Temple” in 2Thes.2v4. is not “hieron,” the whole of the Temple, but “naon,” the Sanctuary, the innermost part of the Temple, into which only the priests could enter. Is it possible that all of the Temple does not have to be rebuilt to fulfil the prophecy? Let us wait and see. The rabbis used to stand in order of seniority outside the wailing wall, with the most senior nearest to the site of the Holy of Holies. Since the tunnels have been made under the mount, these senior rabbis have long since gone from view inside these tunnels. Have they found the site of the original Holy of Holies? We will have to wait and see.

The most likely possibility is that the Jews are going to build another Temple.
The Jews seem determined to build a Temple, and have much of the materials ready to build it, so this is a strong possibility. But where? I ask the same question today that I asked in 1958. Would the Jews desire to build their Temple on the old site? It has been dedicated to what they consider a false religion since Caliph Omar built the Mosque on the site of Solomon's Temple in the 7th century. Would the Arab nations allow the Jews to build a Temple next to a mosque, which is their second most holy place, and is sacred in their eyes? Is this likely after the hatred of recent years? We shall have to wait and see.

In.Rev.11v1,2., the outer court is excluded from measuring, "Leave without," is “ekbale exothen,” which literally means, “cast without,” the aorist active imperative of “ekballo,” is here used in the sense of exclude; John is told, "Do not measure it." John is told that for 42 months the Gentiles will contemptuously tread the holy city (Is.48v2.) under foot, “patesousin,” the future active of “pateo,” here it means to trample with contempt, as in Lk.21v24., where, Jesus uses "pateo" to state that Jerusalem will be "trodden under foot of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." In Rev.11v2., "the court," “ten aulen," is the uncovered outer court outside of the sanctuary. In Herod's Temple this outer court was marked off from the inner court, by “the middle wall of partition.” Gentiles were not allowed into the inner court. Eph.2v15. This outer court had a house of prayer for the Gentiles. Mk.11v17. Jesus states in Lk.21v25., that it will be a time of great distress and anguish ("sunecho," only here and in 2Cor.2v4.), in a world that is in perplexity and has lost the way "aporos").

Our Lord's pronouncement upon these matters.
Israel had to become a nation and “the holy place” built before the prophecy of Dan.9v27 and Mt.24v15. could come to pass. Before the peace treaty, or “covenant” could be made with Israel, it had to be an independent nation, and before the covenant could be broken, the Temple, or at very least the holy of holies, had to be found or built. When our Lord was asked the sign of His coming, He gave the fulfilment of Dan.9v27. as the pre-eminent sign of His coming. Obviously the comment of the Lord Jesus upon the subject of His second coming carries the greatest authority and we should take the most earnest heed to it.

Antichrist making and breaking his covenant with the Jews.
When Jesus was asked the time of His second coming and the end of the age, He referred His disciples to the prophecy of Daniel concerning the abomination of the desolation. Mt.24v15. Paul corrected the wrong ideas of the Thessalonians with the same truths. 2Thes.2v1-5. Jesus said that His second coming could not take place until the holy place had been desecrated by Antichrist. Christ told His disciples that the temple that was then standing was shortly to be destroyed, but another sanctuary was going to be built, and it would be desecrated by “the prince of the covenant,” the Antichrist.

Jesus also states in Mt.24v21. that the 3½ years of great tribulation spoken of in Dan.12v1,6,7., will follow this desecration of the sanctuary. In 2Thes.2v4., Paul also informs us that Antichrist “sits as God in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” “The temple of God,” is “ton naon tou theou;” “temple,” is “naon,” the sanctuary, the innermost and holiest part of the Temple, which only the priests could enter into. The phrase, “ton naon tou theou,” the Sanctuary of God, is used in 1Cor.3v17., by Paul of Christians. We are made holy ground by God's indwelling presence, and His wonderful mercy and grace. See 1Cor.6v19. Eph.2v21..

Jesus informed His disciples that His second coming could be accurately foretold by certain events taking place in Israel, and for His proof referred His disciples to the amazing prophecy of Daniel.9v20-28.. See also Dan.8v9-16,23-27. 11v31. 12v11. The prophecy of Dan.9v20-27., informs us of the exact time of both the first and second comings of Christ. Gabriel told Daniel that Messiah will be “cut off” and “make reconciliation for iniquity,” 483 years after “the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem.”

The second coming of Christ is to take place seven years after “the prince that shall come,” or “the king of the North,” as he is also called, makes a treaty with Israel. Dan.9v26,27. 11v40. Jesus said that the period of seven years that is mentioned in Dan.9v27., was yet in the future, and that this would result in His second coming and “the full end of the age,” or as another translation puts it, “the conclusion of the age.” Man's rule would finish and God's rule begin. After giving many signs that would indicate His coming, the Lord gives one specific sign that would date His coming, the making and breaking of Antichrist's treaty with Israel. The first “commandment” to rebuild Jerusalem was clearly seen and known by all, and the second “covenant,” or treaty, will also be clearly seen and known by all, and Jesus exhorts us to keep our eyes open for it.

The first part of this prophecy was remarkably fulfilled, the commandment that brought about the building of the ruined wall of Jerusalem was given by Artaxerxes Longimanus in the 20th year of his reign. Neh.2v1-8. Usher, after 37 years of consideration, dates the accession of Artaxerxes as the year 474 B.C. on the evidence of Thucydides and Eusebius. This would give a date of 454 B.C. For the commandment being proclaimed, and according to Daniel's prophecy Christ would die at Jerusalem in A.D. 29 to 30.

S. P. Tregelles says that Jesus died in A.D. 29 in a footnote on pages 100 & 101 of his “Remarks on the Prophetic Visions in the Book of Daniel:” “In doing this we must remember that the birth of our Lord was about four years before the common era, so that the thirty-third year of His life, when He is supposed to have suffered, would correspond with the year twenty-nine of our reckoning. I believe this to have been the true date; first because of the day of the week on which the Passover commenced in that year; and also, because of the consuls of that year (the two Gemini) having been mentioned by several writers as those of the year when our Lord was put to death. This remark does not affect the instruction given us by God in this chapter; it is a point which I only notice for the removal of difficulties.---------Ussher in thus laying down this date had no motive for bringing the space of 483 years from the 20th of Artaxerxes to A.D. 29; for his division of the seventy Heptads differs from mine, and he did not regard A.D. 29 as the date of the crucifixion of our Lord.” End of Tregelles quote.

However, others think that the Lord Jesus was crucified in A.D. 30, and the following Jewish calendar would give considerable force to this viewpoint, as it fits the facts so well, as the first day of Passover Feast was on Thursday April 6th., Nisan 15th., and the last day of the Passover Feast was on Wednesday April 12th., Nisan 21. Whereas, according to the calendar of A.D. 29, the first day of the Passover Feast was on Saturday April 17th., Nisan 15th., and the last day of the Passover Feast was on Sunday April 23rd., Nisan 21st.. Tragelles and Ussher obviously had recourse to some kind of Jewish calendar, so one wonders if this calendar for A.D. 30 could really be their calendar for A.D. 29. The calendars of past history have often proved to be inaccurate, this calendar could be out by one year, the reader must weigh the evidence for themselves, and keep an open mind. Of one thing we can be sure, the crucifixion took place in either A.D. 29, or A.D. 30, almost certainly in A.D. 30, on Thursday, April 6th., Nisan 15th., not on Friday, for according to Mt.12v40., Jesus was raised from the dead “after three days and three nights.” See “the third day,” “after three days,” etc., in Mt.16v4,21. 17v23. 20v19. 27v40,63,64. Mk.8v31. 10v34. Jn.2v19. 19v42. 1Cor.15v4. Eph.4v9,10. Jesus was raised from the dead in the night of the third day. Christ’s enemies, sadly, unlike Christ’s disciples, remembered well that Jesus promised that He would be raised from the dead on the third day. Compare the following Jewish Calendars.

Jesus informs us that when the King of the North, Antichrist, breaks the treaty and puts his image in the holy place in the temple at Jerusalem, we have 3½ years to go to the coming of Christ. The King of the North could be the head of Russia, for the great power of the beast would seem to demand a more powerful country than Syria, or Turkey; which are the other two possibilities. We shall have to wait and see which one of these three fulfil the prophecy; time and world events will make it clear. Mt.24v15,16,21,29-31. 2Thes.2v1-4,8,9. Rev.13v14-18. Jesus tells us that when Antichrist breaks the treaty with the Jews, all Christians in Judea are to flee to the mountains for safety, just as they did in A.D.70., when this prophecy received a partial fulfilment. The Scriptures call the period of 3½ years after the desecration of the Temple “the great tribulation.” Daniel, Paul and our Lord state that immediately after this period of great tribulation the Lord will return and set up His kingdom. Rev.7v14. Dan.12v1. Mt.24v21,29-31. Mk.13v19. The great tribulation ends with the destruction of the armies of Antichrist around a devastated Jerusalem. Lk.17v37. Rev.17v16-18. 18v1 to 19v21. 2Thes.2v8.

Jesus said that the overall picture of the conditions in the world just prior to His coming will be as bad as they were in the days of Noah and Lot. Lk.17v26-31. The expulsion of evil angels from the heavenly places into the earth results in a great increase in wickedness, and a wilful ignorance of the promised judgement of God. Gen.6v1-13. 1Pet.3v19,20. Rev.12v7-12. The wicked despise the riches of God's goodness, forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God is trying to lead them to repentance and salvation. Rom.2v1-4,9. 2Pet.3v3-9. Jude.v14-16. Many signs are now being fulfilled, they are a great warning to the Church that it is time to put on the armour of God, for no lukewarm Christian will stand in this evil day.

The first six heads of the Beast of Rev.17v3,8-11., are six kingdoms that have conquered, ruled and tyrannised Israel and Jerusalem, during the 483 years of the prophecy of Dan.9v20-27. The first six kingdoms were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Egypt, Syria, and the sixth one was Rome; the 7th. head, the kingdom of Antichrist, is still to come.

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