What will be the sign of Christ's coming? (4)

Read Luke 13:1-5

In our previous three Saturday blogs we have talked about what religion will be like in the time leading up to the return of Christ.  The Bible also says there will be signs in the realm of nature at the time Christ returns.

2)    Signs of Christ’s return in the realm of nature.

a)     Global catastrophes including famine (Mt. 24:7; Rev. 6:5f), pestilence (Rev. 6:7f), earthquakes (Mt. 24:7) and tossing of the sea (Luke 21:25).

Concerning these stressful situations the Bible does not necessarily say these will gradually increase before Christ returns.  It simply says these kinds of things will be occurring in abundance and intensity when Christ returns.  The book of Revelation reveals three series of judgments that for the most part involve nature.  One cannot imagine the toll this will take on man’s ability to dig himself out of repeated catastrophes.  Man is still befuddled by the occasional drought or ocean-related storms.  We tend to think man can handle or divert whatever nature throws at him.  But what we cannot say is that we know the return of Christ is nearer because there are more of these events than last year.  Those alive at the time will be able to see these things and know that His return is soon.

Another observation we can make about today’s perspective on natural disasters is that man is becoming more and more oblivious to God’s use of nature to be a call to repentance.  If a prominent Christian personality uses the latest tsunami or hurricane as an occasion to call men to repentance he is roundly criticized or mocked.  Rev. 16:9,11,21 indicates this will be man’s attitude in the most severe tribulation: they will blaspheme God rather than repent.

b)    Disturbances in the sky, Rev. 6:12-17; Joel 2:30f.

Concerning this subject we must again note that these disturbances occur without warning.  In other words we cannot again say that there will be an increase in these types of events as the time draws nearer.  It does say however that those alive at the time these things happen will see something so unusual they will know the time of His return is close.  Recently there was a big deal made about four blood moons that occurred over a year beginning and ending with the Feast of Succoth (Tabernacles).  But they were predictable.  The disturbances spoken of in Scripture be will not predictable.  They will simply happen, and those alive will know the return of Christ is upon them. 

 
Today’s passage is quite instructive.  Jesus referred to two disasters in His own day.  In each case He said that those killed were not worse sinners than others.  But He went on to say that the disasters were a call to everyone to repent or, in fact, in the time of judgment, they would all likewise perish.  Let us consider this as we read or hear the daily news of disaster, tragedy and uncertainty.  It should draw us nearer to God and give us a heart to serve Him faithfully.