Christ has not left His followers in darkness as to His return. Christ said: “Ye are my friends.”
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” John 15:14-15.
By the above text we learn that Christ will reveal to His servants all that He ever learned from the Father.
In another place the Lord said to them that looked for Him that He shall appear the second time without sin unto salvation. "28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Hebrews 9:28.
But let us not forget that the Lord Jesus will reveal everything to those that do whatsoever He commands them. "14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." John 15:14.
We must be obedient and do those things that He has commanded us; then we will have a message from God. We will have a revelation that will cause sinners to marvel. It will be something different than others have, it will be a real message for this day. Like the message that Noah had; it was a message for that day, and like the message of Jonah, who had a message for the Ninevites. John the Baptist had a message to prepare the hearts of men and women for Christ’s first coming. Very few believed those men of God; but they carried a true message nonetheless.
Noah was but one man; but still his message was true, and it was salvation to those that accepted it; and death to those that rejected it.
Likewise the message of Jonah was salvation for those that accepted it. They repented. Many today are trying to brush aside the message from God’s servant, because he is just one, but if God has given him a message for this day, or any other day, we had better take heed to it, if it stands the test of the Word of God. And if it is not in accord with God’s Word, then we turn it down.
CHRIST’S SECOND COMING
Many say that Christ’s coming is near, but when we question them as to the nearness, they seem to think that it will be a thousand years; or it could be today. They have nothing definite. Their belief in the coming of Christ is a theory, and a racket. There are many that preach what they don’t believe, and can’t defend.
IT IS HERE TODAY
We used to preach it is coming, or near at hand, but today we learn that the signs of Christ’s coming are here today. Still very few seem to see, or understand it. The only reason that can be given for many that were enthused about Christ’s coming is that they made so many mistakes and guesses that they have become silent on the question of Christ’s coming and so are no longer sounding the message.
WORLD WAR II
During World War II many were preaching that Mussolini was Anti-Christ, and that Mussolini, Hitler, and Stalin were the three generals to plunge the world into a war that would bring Christ down, and they believed it. According to them the three generals were the three frogs of the sixth plague mentioned in Revelation 16:12-14. "12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty."
But, of course, it failed to come true.
ANTI-CHRIST
There are still those that believe that Mussolini was the Anti-Christ, and will be the Anti-Christ, even though he is dead. They are predicting that Mussolini will be resurrected prior to Christ’s coming, and many will be deceived by him, so they teach. But Mussolini will never be the Anti-Christ. For one reason, he is dead, and for another reason, there is more than one Anti-Christ, there are many here today. See I John 2:18. "18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time."
NO TIME
We have no time or space to bring to light all of the confused doctrine; but we will give the truth on Christ’s second coming. Christ told His disciples of certain events that would take place; and that would presage His coming and the end of the world. In fact the disciples asked Christ the pointed question: “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Matthew 24:3. "3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"
HIS FIRST SIGN
They were to “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:4-5.
SECOND SIGN
We shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. But He said to us “…see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Matthew 24:6.
THIRD SIGN
Nations would rise against nations, and kingdom against kingdom. And there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. Matthew 24:7. But the Savior said: “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:8. But can we deny the fact that nations are against nations? We have to admit it. Kingdoms are against kingdoms, famines and pestilence are increasing. Earthquakes are becoming more severe, and prevalent in different places. No man can deny this. It is the beginning of sorrow, and it will still increase and become worse.
Another sign: The Lord said: “And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” Revelation 11:18. Can we dispute these facts before us and say they are not here? Surely they are here today. How near are we to the coming of the Lord with these conditions of nations angry at one another? Very close. At that time the dead saints will come forth and receive their reward.
IT IS HERE TODAY
Christ said “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matthew 24:12. Another sign. This is true today. Sin is great everywhere. Nations must turn to God, and repent of their sins. We are to pray for our enemies, and do good to them that despitefully use us.
MANY FALSE PREACHERS
Christ said: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” And He said: “Behold, I have told you before.” Matthew 24:24-25. Another sign. This was not the first time that Christ told of this condition. He had preached it to them before. Christ believed that He would return the second time, and His reward would be with Him.
Another sign that Christ gave: “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” Luke 21:26. We can’t dispute this.
TROUBLOUS TIMES
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Daniel 12:1-2.
With all of the troubles we have had, we are going to have greater ones. The above test refers to the political, social and religious world. Great troubles ahead, just before the dead will come forth from the dust of the earth, some to everlasting life, and some to shame, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3. Another sign.
HERE TODAY
The Lord foretold through His servants about the speed of transportation, and how vehicles would run like lightning. "4 The chariots shall rage in the streets, They shall justle one against another in the broad ways: They shall seem like torches, They shall run like the lightnings." Nahum 2:4. Another sign. It is here today. We cannot dispute it. And at the very time Christ will be checking and recounting His worthies. If you will note the fifth verse, you will notice that He is recounting His worthies, and we too should prepare to meet Him.
AIRPLANES
Another sign: The Lord revealed to His prophets, Zechariah and Isaiah, how men would fly like birds. Can we dispute it? It is here today. All those events are clearly seen in the heavens, these are signs that must transpire before Christ comes, and which points to His coming. See Zechariah 5:1-2 "Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. 2 And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits." & Isaiah 60:8. "8 Who are these that fly as a cloud, And as the doves to their windows?"
These are shocking events and should awaken men everywhere to prepare for Christ’s coming.
CHRIST FORETOLD
Another sign: Christ foretold the conditions of the social and religious world, as to what their interest and activities would be.
“26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
“27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
“28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
“29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
“30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17:26-30.
Surely Christ knew what He was talking about. He was giving us a real picture of the condition of the social and religious world in the last days. Eating and drinking is their great attraction. Another thought that Christ mentioned, they would be building, buying and selling, and marrying wives. At the time when Christ will come, there will be many carpenters at work. Times will be flourishing.
The Lord gives the comforting words to the brethren that they “…are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of the light...”
I Thessalonians 5:1-6. "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."
Another sign: The Lord tells what will happen to those that will not accept and believe His warning. "10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:" II Thessalonians 2:10-11. He will send them strong delusion that they will believe a lie, because they would not receive the love of the truth that they all may be damned who believe not the truth. The Lord will not force anyone to love Him, to worship Him, as He has given every man and woman a choice to accept or reject.
Another sign: The Lord has also foretold of another class that will scoff at the coming of Christ, as He said: “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
“And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?” II Peter 3:3-4. The Lord says they are willingly ignorant.
No man is so blind as he that can see and doesn’t want to see.
"This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water." II Peter 3:1-5.
“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.” II Peter 3:17.
This is the time for God’s servants to get ready and to prepare the hearts of others to be ready, as Christ is not far away.
WARNING
On this subject of Christ’s coming the second time, many deceivers are writing and pointing to the Jews gathering at Palestine and saying that it is a sign that the Messiah is soon to come, but the Lord has plainly said that they which are the children of the flesh are not the children of God. "8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." Romans 9:8.
Christ said, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63. Five billion may gather at Palestine, it means nothing if they have not accepted Christ and His atonement. As the Lord said: “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
“29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Romans 2:28-29.
Another false doctrine the Last Generation started in 1917, by referring to Luke 21:24 & 31. "24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." and "31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand."
They claim that in 1917 the Gentile time was fulfilled. They say that a generation is 45 years. A generation varies like the family tree; if may be 60, 70, or 100 years. It all depends upon when that generation or family tree dies out.
There are many more false teachings on the coming of Christ that lead people astray which we have not had time to explain.
By the Church of God, Body of Christ