Jesus Is Coming Soon, Look at the Signs
If you talk to religious people much, it will likely not be long until they say to you, “I believe the world is about to come to an end, look at all the signs.” Televangelists and pastors are making thousands of dollars selling their books which lead their followers to believe the end is near. It is ironic that this profiteering has been happening for over fifty years, yet the world still stands. There must be something wrong with this widespread belief that the end is near.
Signs? For who? For when? These are good questions.
It was just days before Jesus’ death when He walked through the temple and spoke of the time when not one stone of that beautiful building would be left upon another. He left the temple and went to the Mount of Olives, and His disciples continued this conversation and asked about signs which would precede the day when that happened. Read Mark’s record of their questions about these signs. “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” (Mark 13:4). A few verses later, Jesus also said, “So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the door. Assuredly I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.”
Look at how Luke records this same conversation. “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place” (Luke 21:7)? Jesus said, “So you also when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place” (Luke 21:32).
Now contrast what Jesus said with what is said by so many today. Jesus said that these disciples who heard His words would see every sign. All of these things were to happen in that generation. Televangelists say these signs could not have been seen by these disciples for all of that generation are dead. It is our generation, not theirs, which is now seeing them! Whom should I believe? Jesus or modern evangelists?
Jesus gave about eight signs, and then He spoke of the final sign. When the gospel of the Kingdom had been preached to all the world the end would come (Matt. 24:14). That would be the final sign, and when that happened the end would come. The only question to be asked is when was the gospel preached in all the world. Let God show us the answer. Hear this message from heaven. “The gospel that you heard and which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven” (Col. 1:23). Those signs had dealt with the end of the Jewish world, the generation of the first century. There are no signs given which will indicate His return to judge all mankind (Matt. 24:35-36; 1 Thess. 5:1-3).