Demonstration of the nearness of Christ's return

1. Evidence that Christ’s
return is near
Burton
July 15th 2012

2. Our presentation
[Reading: Luke 21:7-28]
• A latter day miracle
• Other signs of Christ’s coming:
– in religion
– in society
– in the world political situation
• What should we do?
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4. AD 70 – the destruction of
Jerusalem
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5. Detail from the triumphal
arch of Titus
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6. The fate of Jerusalem and
the Jews
In 63 BCE, Judaea became a protectorate of
Rome. The Jews revolted in 70, but were
defeated in 73. The Romans then destroyed
the Second Temple and most of Jerusalem, and
annexed Judaea as a Roman province. In 132 the
Jews rebelled against Hadrian. In 135, Hadrian’s
army defeated the Jewish armies and Jewish
independence was lost. Jerusalem was turned
into a pagan city called Aelia Capitolina and the
Jews were forbidden to live there, and Hadrian
changed the country’s name from Judea to Syria
Palestina. Source: Wikipedia
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7. The Jews are scattered
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8. God’s promise to the Jews
“For I am with thee, saith the Lord ,
to save thee: though I make a full
end of all nations whither I have
scattered thee, yet will I not make a
full end of thee: but I will correct
thee in measure, and will not leave
thee altogether unpunished.”
Jeremiah 30:11
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9. Israel to be regathered
“Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God ;
Although I have cast them [Israel] far off
among the heathen, and although I have
scattered them among the countries, yet will
I be to them as a little sanctuary in the
countries where they shall come.
Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God ; I
will even gather you from the people, and
assemble you out of the countries where ye
have been scattered, and I will give you the
land of Israel.” Ezekiel 11:16-17
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10. State of Israel 1948
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11. Jerusalem one again 1967
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12. Christ’s return at hand
“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
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; 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. And then shall they see the Son of man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
Luke 21:24-27
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13. Religious signs
“This know also, that in the last days perilous
times shall come. For men shall be lovers of
their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection,
trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent,
fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of
pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a
form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5
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14. Denying Christ’s return
“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? for since the fathers fell
asleep, all things continue as they
were from the beginning of the
creation.” 2 Peter 3:3-4
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15. Signs in society
“This know also, that in the last days perilous
times shall come. For men shall be lovers of
their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection,
trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent,
fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of
pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a
form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5
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16. Signs in world politics
• The alignment of the nations
• The breakdown of the world’s
economic model
• The corruption amongst those in
positions of power
• The increasing unrest amongst
ordinary people across the world
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17. The sea and the waves…
“…and upon the earth distress of
nations, with perplexity; the sea and the
waves roaring; 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 21:25-26
“But the wicked are like the troubled
sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters
cast up mire and dirt.” Isaiah 57:20
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18. What should we do?
• Study God’s word
• “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give
diligence to make your calling and
election sure: for if ye do these
things, ye shall never fall: For so an
entrance shall be ministered unto
you abundantly into the everlasting
kingdom of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10-11
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19. Don’t wait – start today!
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