This is a great message, I could not have said it better!

Final End Time Signs of Jesus' Return, by Jim Bramlett

by Jim Bramlett
Contributing writer

CBN.com – It is mind-boggling to think that our generation alone is
uniquely standing on the precipice of time and where no generation has
ever stood. We are living in the days spoken of by the ancient prophets.

These prophets spoke of the Israelites being gathered back into their
own land, in passages such as Ezekiel 37:21:

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will take the Israelites out of
the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and
bring them back into their own land.

This began in 1948. The “dry bones” of Ezekiel 37 have come alive.

As also prophesied, we are seeing the world turn against Israel.

On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her,
I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations” (Zechariah
12:3).

The catalyst for this is oil, or petro-dollars, causing the world to
sell out tiny, democratic Israel to despotic Muslim nations for purposes
of greed.

These signs are historically unprecedented. Only this generation has
seen them. But there are many other biblical signs, such as: increased
violence worldwide (as in the days of Noah), increased apostasy,
increased cults and false religions and false prophets, increased
natural disasters such as frequency of earthquakes, and more.

For these and many other reasons, is it any wonder that millions believe
the return of Christ is so near? Polls show that even non-believers
think the world is at such a point. This is the most exciting time in
all history to be alive!

But When is He Coming?

Just the question -- when? -- causes some Christians to cringe, protest,
or even scoff! They quickly point out that Jesus said,

But of that day and hour knoweth no man (Matthew 24:36 KJV).

Some believers criticize other believers who are seeking God’s clues,
either from the Scriptures or by personal revelation. It is interesting
that it was apparently by personal revelation, not Scripture, that many
people knew the exact day of Elijah's rapture (2 Kings 2)! Are there
types in the Old Testament? Do God’s principles repeat themselves?

Some claim we should focus only on the Great Commission and evangelism
and not be concerned when the Lord will return. However, the Bible
repeatedly tells us to “watch” for the signs, so not doing so would be
disobedient. Also, those who are watching and expecting Jesus’ soon
return are probably the most zealous group of witnesses for the gospel
among all Christians.

The doubters may mention Paul's words that the day of the Lord will come
like "a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2). But many believers
have so misunderstood these verses that they are oblivious to the times,
not watching for the Lord as He commanded, and are often absorbed by the
cares of this world and their own agendas.

As to Matthew 24:36, some scholars point out that Jesus' words here are
in the present tense, addressed to His hearers at the time, and not to
those alive at the end of the age when Daniel's vision would be unsealed
(Daniel 12:9). This would be similar to Matthew 16:20:

Then he warned His disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.

As evidence, many other Scriptures reveal to us that God will reveal at
least the approximate time. (Even if the "day and hour" restriction is
literally valid today, it may be because the Earth is in 24 time zones
and always in two different days.)

Jesus also said, “but my Father only” knows, which pins the statement to
His hearers at the time, when Jesus was still on the earth, because
surely there are now no secrets in the Trinity between the Father and
the glorified Son, who are truly One.

Also, in context, He seems to be speaking of heaven and earth passing
away (v. 35), not other end-time events. In addition, Jesus said,

If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and
thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee (Revelation 3:3).

He is obviously saying that to the one who watches, He will not come as
a thief and that person will know the hour! (Hour -- Greek hora --
Strong’s 5610; various meanings, including, “any definite time, point of
time, moment.”

God’s Promises of Revelation

It is clear that Jesus will not come as a "thief in the night" for
watchful believers, because in the very same passage, verse 4, Paul
tells us,

But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise
you like a thief.

If we are trusting in Christ and looking for His coming, Paul said that
even the very day does not have to surprise us!

Also, Jesus exhorted, "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on
thee as a thief" (Revelation 3:3, KJV), obviously saying He will come as
a thief only to those not watching! It is obvious that for those
watching, He will NOT come as a thief.

Jesus rebuked those who did not understand the signs of the times in His
day:

O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, but can ye not
discern the signs of the times (Matthew 16:3).

Of the end of the age, Jesus said,

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up
your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:28).

He said we would know when it is near!

God said, "Surely the sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing it
to His servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7, NIV). God said "nothing," and
He did not exclude Christ's return. I take Him at His word.

God not only knows the end from the beginning, He tells us that He makes
it known!

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is
still to come. (Isaiah 46:10).

He has already made it known! I personally believe it has been hidden in
His Word all along, to be unlocked in His timing. There is nothing wrong
with seeking! No doubt, it pleases God.

God said,

I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to
pass I shewed it thee (Isaiah 48:5, KJV).

Jesus said the Holy Spirit "will teach you all things" (John 14:26). He
said "all things." Did Jesus make a mistake, forgetting to exclude when
He will return? I don't think so.

Friends confide in one another. Abraham was called God’s “friend”
(Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23).

And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do
(Genesis 18:17).

Now, because of Jesus’ atonement, we are called friends of God:

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his
master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends (Jesus, John 15:15).

The Bible also says that Jesus was crucified so that the blessing of
Abraham, part of which was friendship with God, would come upon the
Gentiles -- us (Galatians 3:14).

Ecclesiastes 1:9 says:

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun (NIV).

Many Bible students believe that ancient events and dating in the Bible
are shadows and clues that foretell the coming of the Lord, even the
timing. An example is the six days of creation, seen as 6,000 years of
man’s dominion over the earth, before the return of the Lord and the
seventh, or Sabbath Millennium of peace, with Christ ruling in
Jerusalem. According to scholars, we are now at the end of 6,000 years
since Adam.

There are other such passages. God clearly promised that we would know
at least approximately when Christ will return, and even "the day" will
not surprise us, as the Holy Spirit reveals through Paul!

In addition, there is ample precedent for God revealing specific times
in advance.

* He gave Noah advance notice of when the flood would be (Genesis 6,7).
* He told Abraham how long the Israelites would be in Egypt (Genesis 15:13).
* As mentioned, He revealed to many the very day of Elijah's rapture (2
Kings 2).
* He told Jeremiah how long the Babylonian exile would be (Jeremiah 29:10).
* He told Daniel exactly when Messiah would come the first time (Daniel
9:25-26).

Some, including the brilliant Sir Isaac Newton, believe this same
passage holds the key to the timing of His return.

There is evidence that the Bible reveals the exact number of years of
"the times of the Gentiles" and the exact span of time to Israel's
rebirth in 1948 and the recapture of Jerusalem in 1967.

Obviously, leaving us clueless now would violate God's own established
pattern as revealed in His Word!

Also obviously, we are not left clueless. There are many signs. Let us
remain watchful and ready, and be found doing the Master’s work.

Blessings,

Ron