Saturday, January 29, 2011

End times: The third question

Jesus' disciples asked Him when Jerusalem and the Temple would be destroyed, what would be the sign of the end of the age, and what would be the sign of His coming (Matt 24:1 - 3).

We have talked about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple and the sign of the end of the age. So what will be the sign of His coming?

The sign of His coming will be the appearance of the shechinah glory. The shechinah glory is the visible manifestation of the presence of God.

In the tabernacle the Israelites constructed in the wilderness, the outer court was illuminated by natural daylight. The holy place, where the priests went to minister, was illuminated by the golden lampstand. The most holy place, where only the high priest was allowed to enter on one day each year and where God dwelt above the mercy seat, had no artificial illumination. The illumination would be provided by the glory of God.

On the Mount of Transfiguration, where Christ's glory was manifested,

His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light (Matt 17:2).

When the New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven, it will have no need of illumination:

And the city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light (Rev 21:23).

Christ's coming too will be accompanied by the manifestation of His glory:

For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be (Matt 24:27).

Shortly before His coming, there will be darkness on the earth:

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken (Matt 24:29).

But then. . .

The sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matt 24:30).

A brilliant light will shine from heaven and every eye will see Him as He comes to earth to destroy His enemies and set up His millennial kingdom.

Are you prepared for the things that are coming on the earth?