Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:3

Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:3

With the increased activity in the Middle East, many "prophecy preachers" are claiming that the signs of the return of Christ are coming to pass. Of course, many of these same preachers and Bible teachers fail to recognize the difference between the Rapture and the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Before the revelation, or second coming of Christ, there will be visible indicators of His soon return. The disciples asked our Lord, "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matthew 24:3). notice that they asked what sign would be, not signs. In the Lord's answer, He pointed out that there would be wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes (vss. 6,7), but that the end was not yet. Even during the tribulation, these things are not the "signs of His coming," but rather only the "beginning of sorrows" (vs.. The true "sign" of His coming is found in verse 27, "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." This takes place after the heavenly bodies are darkened (vs.29). "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in Heaven" (Matt.24:30). There will be no mistaking the sign of Christ's second coming, for God will "turn out the lights" in the universe right before Christ circles the globe like a flash of lightning. Later in the text, the Lord goes on to say, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angles of heaven, but my Father only" (Matthew 24:36). How futile it is to "set dates" for the return of Christ especially based upon supposed "signs" of His return!