No. 761
“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations . . . So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” (Luke 21:25, 31)
The Bible gives time prophecies and sign prophecies to indicate the time and fact of Jesus’ return. Without these prophecies, we could not know of His return since it is invisible. The time prophecies prove that our Lord returned in His Second Advent in the autumn of 1874 (see our August 2020 paper for more detail), while the sign prophecies (as we will set forth here) corroborate this fact.
There are both secular signs and religious signs corroborating our Lord’s return. Looking first at the secular signs, we can identify twelve that add cumulative force to the time prophecies proving that Christ has returned.
SECULAR SIGNS OF OUR LORD’S RETURN
(1) Exposure of evil: “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.” (1 Cor. 4:5) The Bible teaches that the judging work of the Lord’s Second Advent will expose evil in all walks of life. (Luke 12:2; 1 Thess. 5:1-4; 2 Tim. 4:1; 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 16:15; Psa. 82:1-5) In government, the judgment work is exposing corruption among public officials, use of public office for private gain, fraud, protection of the rich at the expense of the poor, militarism, dishonest diplomacy, treaty breaking, oppression of weak nations, etc. Among the wealthy classes in finance and industry, the judgment work is exposing fraudulent stock deals, price manipulations, unfair monopolies, destructive competition, contract violations, unfair housing practices, bribery, tax evasion, misuse of charitable funds, exploitation of the poor, weak and unfortunate, etc. Among the poor and working classes, the judgment work is exposing extreme social unrest, demonstrations, agitation, boycotts, etc. Exposures of these conditions have increased dramatically since 1874, corroborating that Jesus’ Second Advent has taken place.
(2) Increase of travel: “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro . . .” (Dan. 12:4) The Bible teaches that increased travel is a sign we are in the time of the end. At the beginning of the time of the end in 1799, the most rapid means of travel and communication was on horseback. Now cities, nations, and continents are connected by almost instantaneous electronic communications, and we all travel everywhere by auto, boat, train, airplane, etc. In considering this prophecy, Sir Isaac Newton, who died in 1727, said, “I should not wonder if some day men will travel at the rate of fifty miles an hour.” The philosopher Voltaire, who died in 1778 when much more was known about steam power, mocked Newton’s statement, saying this prophecy of God’s Word had made a fool of him.
(3) Increase of knowledge: “. . . and knowledge shall be increased.” (Dan. 12:4) The Bible prophesies an increase in knowledge in the time of the end. The ability to read and write is now general, even among the poorest classes, while only four centuries ago it was common for even members of the English Parliament to be illiterate. Free schools were started as Sunday Schools beginning in 1784, and knowledge began to increase greatly when the time of the end began in 1799. Beginning in 1804, large Bible Societies and Tract Societies were formed; previously there had not been much use for reading material for the masses. Knowledge has increased exponentially since 1874 in harmony with this prophecy, more than in all of previous history.
(4) Great calamities: “And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.” (Luke 21:11) The Bible teaches that great calamities will accompany Christ’s return. Since the beginning of the time of the end, some of the greatest and most frequent calamities of history have occurred: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, floods, famines, pandemics, mass casualty disasters, fires, wars, revolutions, etc.
(5) Israel’s recovery from blindness: “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery . . . that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” (Rom. 11:25) The Bible teaches that Israel’s recovery from blindness and its restoration to God’s favor will be a sign of the Lord’s return. (Rom. 11:11, 15, 25-27) Around 1878, German theologian Franz Delitzsch began to circulate his translation of the Greek New Testament into Hebrew. Prior to that time both Orthodox and Reformed Jews regarded Jesus as the worst kind of reprobate and false prophet; at the mere mention of His name they would expectorate to show their abhorrence of Him. Their attitude has now changed so greatly that many Jews think very favorably of Jesus, calling Him the greatest of Israel’s prophets and they regard their rejection of Him as one of their greatest national mistakes. Rabbi Stephen Wise, who for years was America’s most prominent rabbi and Jewish leader, warmly recommended that his congregation welcome the Gospels into their homes and study them. Although not accepting Him as the Messiah, some Jewish authors have written complementary works about Jesus, including Dr. Joseph Klausner, an able Jewish Hebrew scholar. The New Testament, including translations in Hebrew and Yiddish, is now widely read among Jews. Israel’s blindness and prejudice is being removed slowly, but surely.
(6) Israel’s return to its homeland: “But, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.” (Jer. 16:15) As a sign of Christ’s Second Advent, the Bible prophesies Israel’s return to its ancient homeland and the revival of its national consciousness, symbolized by the leafing fig tree. (Jer. 16:13-18; Ezek. 37:21-28; Amos 9:11, 14, 15; Acts 15:14-17; Matt. 24:30-33; Luke 21:27-36) The Berlin Congress of Nations in 1878 paved the way for Israel’s return to Palestine. World War I resulted in freeing Palestine from the despotic rule of the Turks and also brought pressure to bear on Britain to aid the Jews in returning there. Britain issued the Balfour Declaration in November 1917, pledging that Britain would view favorably the establishment of a national homeland in Palestine for the Jewish people and the other Allied powers concurred. An important milestone was the setting up of the State of Israel in May 1948. Israel’s Parliament passed the Law of the Return in 1950, opening Israel up to all Jews desiring to return. Jews from countries throughout the world have returned, and now Israel accounts for approximately 30% of the world’s Jewish population. These facts strongly indicate that Jesus’ Second Advent has set in.
(7) Preparations for war and world war: “Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.” (Joel 3:9-10) The Bible prophesies that gigantic war preparations and world war will accompany the period of our Lord’s return. The war preparations that began a few years after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 (that is, around 1874) eclipsed all previous war preparations in history. After the first phase of World War (1914-1918), there followed even greater war preparations that were followed by the second phase of World War (1939-1945). Since then wars have continued to break out in various parts of the world and nations have continued to heavily arm themselves. A third phase of World War cannot be ruled out as a further part of the great war of prophecy.
(8) Conflict between capital and labor: “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. . . . Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth . . .” (Jas. 5:1-4) The Bible prophesies that the period of our Lord’s return will be marked by conflict between capital and labor. (Amos 8:4-10; Mic. 6:10-16) There have been increasingly great conflicts between the two since 1874 and now relations between them are very threatening. Many of the evils that beset the world are traceable to this conflict and there are many rights and wrongs on both sides, with selfishness as the ruling principle with both parties. Those who are thoroughly just may sympathize with both parties but cannot take sides. This conflict will culminate in a revolution, commonly called the Battle of Armageddon.
(9) Bundling of the tares: “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” (Matt. 13:29-30, 40-41) The Bible prophesies that during the period of Christ’s return there will be a great bundling of symbolic tares, an assembling of imitation Christians into all sorts of organizations. An increasing number of organizations of imitation Christians have formed since 1874 along the lines of capital, labor, religion, politics, fraternity, social reform, philanthropy, etc. Some have merged with one another and more new ones have been created until Christendom has an almost infinite number of clubs, societies, orders, federations, unions, corporations, alliances, leagues, etc. Selfishness, self-preservation and self-aggrandizement are the cords binding these symbolic tares – imitation Christians – into these symbolic tare bundles. This bundling work is to precede the hurling of the bundles into the symbolic furnace of fire representing the great tribulation with which this age ends.
(10) Great unrest: “His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.” (Psa. 97:4) The Bible prophesies great unrest among all classes of people during the time of the Lord’s Second Advent. This unrest implies a widespread distress and deep-seated dissatisfaction with prevailing conditions, and an undefinable fear that future conditions will be worse. (Luke 21:25-27) All segments of society are now experiencing varying degrees of unrest and confusion. This can be seen among politicians, investors, clergy, church members, women, minorities, the middle class, the laboring classes, and the poor.
(11) A world-wide unmanageable crisis: “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 21:25-27) The Bible teaches that a world-wide unmanageable crisis, such as the world had never previously seen, will be at hand during the period of Christ’s Second Advent. (Isa. 29:14; Psa. 82:1-5) There have been many unmanageable crises throughout human history – Israel’s national overthrow, the breaking up of the Roman Empire, the religious and the political Reformation, and the French Revolution to name a few. In each of these crises there was a general disregard of religious and secular authority, much hatred, disintegration of family ties, suspicion and strife between the social classes, and widespread suffering from social injustice. At an international level, there was suspicion, envy, rivalry, hatred and war.
These periods were marked by intense dissatisfaction with current conditions, general calls for radical social changes, deep-seated confusion as to the causes of prevalent problems, and fundamental disagreement about the necessary remedies. There were frenzied and futile efforts by reformers, who offered palliatives instead of real remedies. At the same time, there was a prevalence of optimism that was blind to existing evils.
Such conditions are more evident in the world now and are more widespread than ever before in human history, but current experts in politics, foreign affairs, finance, capital, labor, social justice, family and religion do not know, either individually or collectively, how to manage the crisis that now holds the world in its grasp. They are very much discouraged by the present and full of forebodings for the future.
(12) Beginning of the great tribulation: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matt. 24:21) As a sign of our Lord’s Second Presence, the Bible prophesies that the Gospel Age will end and the Millennial Age will begin with the great Time of Trouble. (Matt. 13:41-42; Dan. 12:1; Rev. 14:14, 18-20; Jer. 25:29-33; Isa. 13:11-13; Zeph. 3:8) While this trouble is to be worldwide, Christendom, as symbolized by Jerusalem, will be the storm center and will undergo a fourfold punishment through this great tribulation: “For thus saith the Lord God; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?” (Ezek. 14:21) The “sword” here symbolizes a world-wide war and a world revolution. Since 1914, we have had two World Wars, great shortages of food (“famine”) in many countries, and unusually great epidemics (“pestilence”). The “noisome beast” fittingly represents lawless men – anarchists. These conditions will become worse as the Time of Trouble progresses.
On the mountain, God gave Elijah a corroborating vision of wind, earthquake and fire, representing respectively the war, revolution, and anarchy of the Time of Trouble. (1 Kings 19:11-12) After the symbolic “wind” (world-wide war), the next stage is the symbolic “earthquake” (world-wide revolution). In Scripture the word “earth” is used to represent society. (Matt. 5:13; Gen. 6:12; Gen. 11:1) Therefore, an earthquake represents revolution, because a revolution causes society to shake and quake. (Isa. 29:6; Heb. 12:26-27; Rev. 6:12; Rev. 8:5; Rev. 11:13, 19; Rev. 16:18)
The nations have been greatly weakened by war and the laboring classes in many countries are suffering in a variety of ways. As a result, the loyalty of even the conservative section of labor toward their national governments has been greatly shaken. The selfish policies and blunders of politicians, financiers and ecclesiastics continually create crises that more and more alienate even this section of labor, so that only a few more such blunders are needed to goad them to desperation, resulting in the overthrow of every unrighteous government, greedy corporation and sectarian religious system of Christendom in the bloodiest of all revolutions. (Jas. 5:1-4; Ezek. 7:1-27; Joel 2:1-11) Conditions are fast ripening for this world revolution followed by anarchy, the symbolic “fire” which will consume the social, financial, political, and ecclesiastical order of earth, completing the overthrow of Satan’s empire and making way for the establishment of God’s Kingdom. (Zeph. 3:8-9; Luke 21:26, 28, 31; Hag. 2:6-7; Heb. 12:26-28)
The above twelve secular signs of the times add cumulative force to the time prophecies proving that Christ has returned. There are additionally many religious signs of the times which give further proof that our Lord has returned and is engaged in overthrowing Satan’s empire. We will discuss these religious signs in our February 2021 paper.
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The above is derived from Chapter XI of Epiphany Studies in the Scriptures, Volume 17, written by Brother Paul S.L. Johnson, pages 289-297. It has been edited and updated for length and clarity. Readers are encouraged to read the original in its entirety if it is available to them.
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“PAY THY VOWS”
“Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High.” (Psa. 50:14)
Psalm 50 furnishes the consecrated with food for profitable meditation. It starts with a precious reminder of the glory that is shortly to be revealed in and through the faithful. Taking the standpoint of the Church’s future completeness and glory, the Psalm begins:
“The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.” (Psa. 50:1-2) Through the glorified Church, the Christ, Head and Body (“the Sun of righteousness . . . with healing in his wings” – Mal. 4:2), God will rise to call the earth to repentance, righteousness, and eternal life from the beginning of the Millennial Day to its close. God’s glorious character and plan will be made known.
Reminding us that the time is yet future, the next verse begins to describe the coming of the Lord: “Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.” (Psa. 50:3) This will be the tempest of the great Time of Trouble, so frequently and vividly described elsewhere.
The next verses describe the first works of the Lord’s presence: “He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.” (Psa. 50:4) In this time of the Lord’s presence and the harvest of the Gospel Age, all who claim to be His people are brought into judgment before the assembled hosts of heaven and earth – angels and men. They are falsely called Christ’s Kingdom (or “Christendom”), but the Scriptures call them “Babylon.” (Rev. 16:19) This judgment of “Christendom,” or “Babylon,” is already in progress, hence the recent overhauling and revision of the previously accepted and unquestioned creeds by its various sects. Hence too, the unsparing criticism of nominal Christianity by the world at large, in the secular press, etc., calling attention to its traditional errors, and to its untenable positions. It is now recognized as a self-contradictory mouthpiece of God.
“Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” (Psa. 50:5) The command of the now present Lord of the harvest to the reapers is to separate the true wheat from the great bundles of tares in Babylon. His saints have made a covenant not merely by the lips but by actual sacrifice, faithfully carrying out the solemn covenant of entire devotedness to the Lord.
“And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself.” (Psa. 50:6) The judgment witnessed by heaven and earth will accurately differentiate between the wheat and the tares and will successfully separate them. God Himself, who cannot err, is the Judge. The Kingdom of God will be established as the outcome of this judgment.
The next verses sum up the charges brought against God’s nominal people: “Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.” (Psa. 50:7-8) This is addressed to those claiming to be His people by a solemn covenant – nominal spiritual Israel. Their “burnt offerings” such as benevolent works, etc. cannot commend them to God in that Day of Judgment, for as Jesus, said, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:22-23) Their “wonderful works” are not acceptable to God because they have not submitted themselves to His plans and methods. They have been “false prophets,” claiming divine authority for their own erroneous theories and “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matt. 7:15; Matt. 15:9)
God then declares His independence of their works, and makes plain His perfect ability to accomplish the blessing of the world according to His own plan without their assistance: “I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?” (Psa. 50:9-13) Does God need their wisdom or works? Does He depend upon their gifts? The answer is – No!
Then follows words of wise counsel for those who will receive it: “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High.” (Psa. 50:14) What have any of us to offer unto the Lord that we did not first receive from Him? Should we not, therefore, thankfully receive it and use it according to the directions of His plan? This is what all who have consecrated themselves to God have covenanted to do; therefore, all such are obligated to pay their vows, to fulfill their covenant unto the Most High.
Although the faithful fulfilling of a covenant of entire consecration to God requires the endurance of reproach and persecution from the world (2 Tim. 3:12), the Lord makes a promise to the faithful: “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” (Psa. 50:15) They will glorify Him by their testimony and their faithfulness.
The Prophet then turns back to his indictment of the unfaithful: “But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.” (Psa. 50:16-17) The “wicked” here referred to are not people of the world but those who claim to be the Lord’s people and members of the spiritual house of Israel. (Psa. 50:7) They are the covenant-breakers among those still claiming to be faithful people of God. The Lord will not hold guiltless those professing entire consecration to Him while despising instruction and clinging to their own traditions and theories. As the Apostle says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold [Greek katecho, meaning to hold down or suppress] the truth in unrighteousness.” (Rom. 1:18) The various ecclesiastical systems of Great Babylon have for centuries taught their own false doctrines, while claiming them to have the divine authority of the Word of God. In doing so they have unjustly suppressed the Truth: they have hated instruction and have cast the words of the Lord behind them whenever those words were used to testify against them or their plans.
What right, the Prophet inquires, have such covenant-breakers to declare the plan of God? None whatever! Such “wicked and slothful” servants are hindered by their errors from seeing truths now due. (Matt. 25:26) Having been unfaithful to the measure of truth received, they are not permitted to know, and hence cannot declare, the deeper things of God – the breadth and scope of His wonderful plan. “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.” (Psa. 97:11)
The testimony against this class proceeds: “When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.” (Psa. 50:18) All who do not guard the Truth and protect the flock of God against the encroachment of error, all who condone false teachers and commend wolves in sheep’s clothing to the flock are wickedly consenting with thieves and robbers. The Scriptures define such compromising with the spirit of the world as adultery. It is for this reason that Babylon the Great (Papacy) is termed a harlot and is called “the mother of harlots,” her offspring being the various similar systems that sprang from her. (Rev. 17:5) This principle applies in every instance where unfaithful covenant-breakers consent to any degree with the thieves and robbers who plot and scheme against the Truth.
The Psalm then concludes the indictment: “Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.” (Psa. 50:19-21) Evil speaking and deceit is the course of all who suppress the Truth and go about to establish their own righteousness and their own plans. The unfaithful always to some degree become persecutors of the faithful who are supposed to be their brothers. Such is the attitude of the whole nominal church against those faithful servants who receive and advocate the Truth. They have considered God’s permission of their course up to the present time as a sign of His approval, but He has only allowed their evil ways to continue so that their real character might be made manifest. He is now reproving them; their creeds are being investigated and exposed in this harvest and judgment time, and there is growing unrest in the various sects of Christendom.
The Psalm ends with more wise counsel: “Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.” (Psa. 50:22-23) Whoever thankfully receives this reproof and applies his heart to receiving instruction glorifies God as a faithful and consistent believer and representative of the Truth. Those who conform their lives to this instruction and faithfully teach it to others will be shown the salvation of God.
How solemn and weighty are the admonitions of this Psalm, and how worthy are they of the most thoughtful and prayerful consideration by all who name the name of Christ! The day of reckoning is upon all who profess to be faithful followers of Christ: “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come.” (Rev. 14:7)
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36) Only those who gratefully receive the message of divine Truth and faithfully pay their vows to the Most High will be accounted worthy to stand.
(Based on Reprint 3647)
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ANNOUNCEMENT
The date of our Lord’s Memorial is March 25, 2021 after six p.m.
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