10 - Signs of the Times
1. What is more important for us to discern than the weather?
"The signs of the times" Matthew 16:2, 3
2. When asked for signs of the end, what was Jesus’ first response?
"Take heed that no man deceive you" Matthew 24:3, 4
3. As He began His forecast for the church, after mentioning a few early signs, Jesus prophesied the destruction of what city?
"Jerusalem" Luke 21:20
Jerusalem fell in A.D. 70.
4. What sign would let Christ’s followers know that the desolation of the city was nigh?
"Jerusalem compassed with armies" Luke 21:20
Jerusalem was first beseiged in A.D. 66.
5. After Jerusalem was destroyed, what would the next terrible experience be?
"Great tribulation" Matthew 24:21
Christians were persecuted by various Roman emperors from Nero to Diocletian. Constantine legalized Christianity, and by the end of the fourth century, paganism was outlawed. But the imperial church would not tolerate any other Christians than those who bowed to her authority and subscribed to her creed. The long centuries of enforced religion that followed claimed the lives of more than fifty million people. Not until the founding of the United States of America would there be a land where Christians were permitted full liberty of conscience without threat of persecution.
6. What specific signs did Jesus next predict?
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven" Matthew 24:29
New England's Dark Day May 19, 1780 https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/new-england-dark-day-may-19-1780/
1833 Leonid Meteor Storm https://www.astronomytrek.com/the-great-leonids-meteor-storm-of-1833/
7. According to Revelation, what natural disaster would occur just before the signs in the sun, moon, and stars?
"A great earthquake" Revelation 6:12, 13
1755 Lisbon Earthquake https://www.science.org/content/article/new-look-1755-quake-europe-s-largest-ever-may-foretell-atlantic-ring-fire
8. How did Jesus describe the anxiety and trouble that would exist on the earth after these signs?
"Distress of nations with perplexity" Luke 21:25
9. What effect would the dreadful outlook have upon people?
"Men's hearts failing them for fear" Luke 21:26
10. According to prophecy, what reason would scoffers give for denying that the end would be soon?
"Since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning" 2 Peter 3:3, 4
11. In the end-time economic collapse, what will happen to money that has been saved up?
"Your riches are corrupted, …your gold and silver is cankered" James 5:1-3
12. When will sudden destruction hit?
"When they shall say, Peace and safety" 1 Thessalonians 5:3
13. What signs of moral deterioration were predicted for the last days?
"Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:2-4
14. What signs would be seen in the church?
"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" 2 Timothy 3:5
15. To what time are the last days compared?
"The days of Noah" Luke 17:26
16. What was it like in the days of Noah?
"The wickedness of man was great…and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" Genesis 6:5
17. What about mobility and the extent of knowledge in the last days?
"Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased" Daniel 12:4
18. What did Jesus say we would know when we saw these signs?
"The kingdom of God is nigh at hand" Luke 21:31
19. When we see these signs, how near is the kingdom?
"This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled" Luke 21:32
20. What would make us unprepared for the end?
"Surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life" Luke 21:34
21. To be prepared, what must we do?
"Watch ye therefore, and pray always" Luke 21:36