James O. Davis is the founder and president of Second Billion (TM). You are invited to learn more about Second Billion by visiting www.billion.tv.
INTRODUCTION
This is the second message concerning the times that will be present before the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is interesting, when God gets ready to do something on earth, He always forewarns us prior to that intervention. He sends some signals that are designed to prepare us for what God is going to do.
For example, God warned the world before He sent the flood—the ark was the sign. Before the Lord delivered the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage, He sent ten plagues upon the Egyptians—the plagues were the signs. Before He sent the Israelites into Babylonian captivity, He sent Elijah and Elisha—their miracles became the signs. Before He sent His Son to be born of a virgin, He put a star in the heavens—the star was one the signs. Just as the first coming of Jesus was preceded with signs, so will His Second Coming be preceded with signs.
There will be signs in the world that will correspond with the signs in the Word. Jesus said, “When these signs begin to develop, look up for your redemption draweth nigh.” We are living in the time when Jesus is going to return. There are several major signs I want to share with you. I also want to give you some facts and what Heaven is going to be like for you and me.
FIRST, NOTICE THE MULTIPLICATION SIGN
The Lord said it would be like the days of Noah when He comes back. In Noah’s day they were marrying and giving in marriage. There was a population explosion at that time. God had told Adam and Eve to fill the earth (Genesis 1:27), but He said nothing about overfilling it. Ecologists and sociologists are worried that the earth will soon be overpopulated. In China, for instance, the law states that each family is allowed only one child. To disobey is to invite prosecution and even persecution. Extreme populations are named as causes for serious economical and sociological problems, such as unemployment, crime, robbery, violence, hunger and starvation.
It is interesting that history reveals a population of 1 billion people from the time of Adam until the year 1830. One hundred years later, in the year 1930, there were 2 billion people on the earth. From 1930 to 1960, a period of thirty years, the world population stood at 3 billion people. Fifteen years later, in 1975, the population totaled 4 billion people. Eleven years later, in 1986, the number was up to 5 billion people. Eight years later, in 1994, there were 6 billion people. By the end of the decade, there were more than 6 billion people. Today, we are approaching nearly 7 billion people on this globe.
Jesus said prior to His coming it would be like the days of Noah. As there was a population explosion then, there will be a population explosion just before the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
SECOND, NOTICE THE MENTAL SIGN
A) The Progress of Knowledge -- The mental sign is seen first in the progress of knowledge. Man’s knowledge doubles in less than 6 years. By the time many medical students graduate, much of their earlier training is already obsolete. Printed material doubles in less than 15 years. Technology, for example, has developed the laser beam, a concentration of energy in a pinpoint of light. It is now used in various forms of surgeries, sometime requiring no incisions at all.
Computers now exist that can assimilate all 850,000 words of the Bible five times over in one second. Computer chips, no larger than the fingernail of a little finger, can store millions of items of information. There is a calculator that can make over 1 million calculations in one second. And who would have thought in the late 1970s that we could send a spaceship 35 million miles away to Mars that would be controlled in Houston? This is the technological sophistication of the era in which we live. In Daniel 12:4, the prophet announced that in the last days travel and knowledge would increase.
B) The Pressure on Men’s Hearts -- Not only is the mental sign found in the progress of knowledge, it is also found in the pressure on men’s hearts. The Lord said there would be distress of nations and perplexities. The word “distress” here means pressure from the outside. Perplexity means no way out. What a picture of people today who feel pressured from stimuli on the outside. They see no hope for the future. They see no way out of debt, problems, difficulties, or marital stresses. Men’s hearts are failing them because of the stresses, strains, struggles and the sins of life.
THIRD, NOTICE THE MORAL SIGN
Jesus said there will be a multiplication sign, a mental sign and a moral sign just before His return. He referred to the time of His return as like that of Noah’s day (Genesis 6:5), when men’s thoughts were continually wicked and God judged the world because of man’s evil thought patterns. What are the outward things today that tell you the thoughts of man? How can you tell what man thinks or believes?
Archaeologists make a career of discovering and studying the art forms of man when trying to figure out what people thought and believed. What men read and watch today for entertainment tells something of the morality of our society.
What used to be found in the back alleys in America now parade down our main streets. What used to be sacred is now a sacrilege and the butt of jokes. What used to bother and embarrass us is now considered entertainment. What used to amaze us now amuses us. Our value system has been warped and twisted. However, it should not surprise us that Jesus said there would be moral decay and decadence in our society before He comes back.
FOURTH, NOTICE THE MIRACLE SIGN
Jesus said the times before His second coming would include a multiplication sign, a mental sign, a moral sign, and a miracle sign. Concerning the latter, He was talking about the nation of Israel. He reminds us to keep our eyes on the fig tree. When it begins to blossom you know the end is near. Israel is the historical miracle in world civilization. She had been extinct as a nation for over 1,900 years, ever since Titus and the Roman legions marched into Jerusalem in 70 AD and nearly obliterated the Jewish people, forcing them out of their own country. The people were slaughtered and Israel died as a nation that day. But she was born again in one day. Isaiah predicted it would happen. On May 14, 1948, Israel became a nation again. David Ben Gurion signed the Declaration of Independence. Jesus said when the fig tree buds the kingdom is at hand.
A lot has been said concerning the generation that sees this happen. I want to talk about that generation. Look with me at verse 32. He says, “Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass away until all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” In recent years, many people have taught that a generation is 35 years, 40 years, 100 years, even 1,000 years. And all of these references are accurate.
I don’t mean to be technical, but the same word “generation” can also be translated “race.” What Jesus was saying is that this race will not pass away until all is fulfilled. There is only one race that has always been here from the earliest of recorded history--the Hebrew race--and still exists today. Jesus confirmed that there would be calamity, chaos, war, woe, bloodshed and battles--but this race will not pass away until all is fulfilled. Looking at His disciples, Jesus was saying, “Take hope, Israel will not cease to exist. This race, the Hebrew race, will not cease to exist.” And it has continued to live on until this present day.
It is the sign, a miracle sign, that Israel is here today. Even though there are wars and rumors of war in the Middle East, Israel and the Hebrew race are here to stay as a sign of the times before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION
Prior to His coming, Jesus said there would be certain signs that would foretell the times and seasons of His return. He spoke of the multiplication sign, the mental sign, the moral sign, and the miracle sign--the birth of the nation of Israel that is here to stay. We are living in the times before our Lord’s returnt. If you know Jesus as Savior, you can take hope and rejoice. If you are not yet a believer, please allow the Holy Spirit to convict you of your sins. Now, put your faith and trust in Jesus as you repent and ask Him to be your Savior and Lord, before it is eternally too late.
A) Biblical Facts About Heaven -- Please read the following facts about Heaven.
1. Heaven is being prepared by Christ Himself. You find this in John 14:3.
2. It is only for those who have been born again. John 3:3
3. It is described as a glorious city like unto pure gold and clear glass. Revelation 21:11-18
4. The name of this city is the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:2
5. It is in the shape of a cube with the length, width and height being equal. Revelation 21:16
6. Its size is 12,000 furlongs—roughly 14,000 miles long, wide and high. Revelation 21:16
7. The city rests upon twelve layers of foundational stones, with each layer being inlaid with different precious gems. Revelation 21:19-20
8. Each foundation is inscribed with the name of one of the twelve apostles. Revelation 21:14
9. The wall around the city is made of pure jasper. Revelation 21:18
10. The height of the wall is approximately 216 feet. Revelation 21:17
11. The wall has twelve gates, three on each of the four sides. Revelation 21:12
12. Each gate is made of solid pearl. Revelation 21:21
13. Each gate has on it the name of one of the 12 tribes of Israel. Revelation 21:12
14. An angel stands guard at each gate. Revelation 21:12
15. The gates will never be shut. Revelation 21:25
16. The palaces may possibly be made of ivory. Psalm 45:8
17. The River of Life is there to ensure everlasting life. Revelation 22:1
18. The Tree of Life is there to ensure abundant life. Revelation 2:7, 19
19. It will bear its fruit each month. Revelation 22:2
20. The Throne of God will occupy the central place. Revelation 4:2, 22:1
21. It is like unto wheels of burning fire with an emerald rainbow canopy. Daniel 7:9, Revelation 4:3
22. It is surrounded by 24 small thrones. Revelation 4:4
23. Near it stands the brazen layer described as a sea of glass like crystal. Revelation 4:6
24. Beside the Throne are four special angels who worship God continually. Revelation 4:8
25. The Golden Altar is there with bowls of incense. Revelation 5:8, 8:3, 9:13
26. The menorah, the seven branch lamp stand fixture is there. Revelation 1:12, 4:5
27. The Holy Ark of God may be there. Revelation 11:19
28. The main street of the city is composed of transparent gold. Revelation 21:21
29. The city will shine and be lighted with God’s glory. John 17:24, Romans 8:18, Revelation 21:11, 21:23, 22:5
30. It is a place of holiness. Revelation 21:27
31. It is a place of beauty. Psalm 52
32. It is a place of unity. Ephesians 1:10
33. It is a place of perfection. 1 Corinthians 13:10
34. It is a place of joy. Psalm 16:11
35. It is a place for all eternity. John 3:15, Psalm 23:6
36. There may be a tabernacle there. Revelation 15:5, 21:3
37. There will be no temple. Revelation 21:22
38. There will be no sea. Revelation 21:1
39. There will be no tears. Revelation 7:17, 21:4
40. There will be no sickness. Revelation 22:2
41. There will be no pain. Revelation 21:4
42. There will be no death. Isaiah 25:8, 1 Corinthians 15:26, Revelation 21:4
43. There will be no more thirst or hunger. Revelation 7:16
44. There will be no more sin. Revelation 21:27
45. There will be no more judgment upon sin. Revelation 22:3
46. There will be no need for the sun or moon. Revelation 21:23
47. There will be no night. Revelation 21:25, 22:5
48. The city will be the Bridegroom’s gift to the Bride, Christ’s Church. Revelation 21:2, 10
49. It will be shared by saved Israel. Hebrews 11:10, 16
50. It will be shared by the holy angels. Daniel 7:10, Hebrews 12:22, Revelation 5:11
51. The Father will be there. Daniel 7:9, Revelation 4:2-3
52. The Son will be there. Revelation 5:6, 7:17
53. The Holy Spirit will be there. Revelation 14:13, 22:17
B) Seven Other Facts about Our Resurrected Body in Heaven
1. It will be a recognizable body. 1 Corinthians 13:2
2. It will be a body like Christ’s body. 1 John 3:2
3. It will be a body that will permit eating. Luke 24:41-43, John 21:12, 13
4. It will be a body in which the spirit predominates. 1 Corinthians 15:44, 49
5. It will be a body unlimited by time, gravity or space. Luke 24:31, John 20:19, 26
6. It will be an eternal body. 2 Corinthians 5:1
7. It will be a glorious body. Romans 8:18, 1 Corinthians 15:43
Revelations 7:9 says, “And this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palms in their hands.” There is soon coming a day for the return of the Savior, the resurrection of the saints, the rapture of the survivors, the reunion in the sky, and the retribution of sinners. There will be the Judgment Seat of Christ followed by the Great White Throne judgment. There will be transformation, examination, and celebration. True believers will spend eternity in the Presence of our Lord. Think about it. If you are not yet forgiven, ask Jesus to come into your heart and life today. These are the times before the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!
