Continue With The Sign Of The Last Days- Confidence During The Last Days

But not all will be lamenting when 'the Son of man comes with power' to destroy this wicked system of things. The "chosen ones," the 144,000 who will share with Christ in his heavenly Kingdom, will not lament, nor will their companions, the ones whom Jesus earlier called his "other sheep." Despite living during the blackest period in human history, these respond to Jesus' encouragement: "As these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near."

So that his disciples who would be living during the last days could determine the nearness of the end, Jesus gives this illustration: "Note the fig tree and all the other fig trees: When they are ready to bud, by observing it you know yourselves that now the summer is near. In this way you also, when you see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, This generation will by no means pass away until all things occur."

Thus, when his disciples see the many different features of the sign being fulfilled, they should realize that the end of the system of things is near and that God's Kingdom will soon wipe out all wickedness. In fact, the end will occur within the lifetime of of the people who see the fulfillment of all the things Jesus foretells! Admonishing those disciples who would be alive during the last momentous last days, Jesus says: "Pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon you as a snare. For it will come in upon all those dwelling upon the face of the earth. Keep awake, then, all the time making supplication that you may succeed in escaping all these things that are destined to occur, and in standing before the Son of man."

Next time: Continue with Sign Of The Last Days-The Wise And The Foolish Virgins

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived,1991