*** What did Jesus say
would be the condition of the world just prior to His coming?
“As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of
the Son of man.” Luke 17:26. (See also verses 27-30, and Matthew 24:37-39.) In the days of Noah, “God saw that the
wickedness of man was great in the earth, and
that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil
continually.” “And the earth was filled with
violence.” Genesis 6:5, 11.
*** According to the
parable of the wheat and tares, how long do the good and bad remain
together?
“The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the
kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that
sowed them is the devil.” “Let both grow together until the
harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather
ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them.” Matthew 13:38, 39, 30. “The harvest is the end of the world.” Verse 39.
*** Did Christ tell us
that worldwide preaching of the gospel would result in world conversion?
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the
world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end
come.” Matthew 24:14.
*** How did Paul
describe the last days?
“In the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Timothy 3:1. “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” Verse 13.
*** How does Scripture
describe the state of international affairs?
“Proclaim ye this among the nations; prepare
war, stir up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near, let them
come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into
spears: let the weak say, I am strong.” Joel 3:9, 10.
*** What statement by
Jeremiah about conditions in his day equally applies to our own time?
“They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of My people
slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” Jeremiah 6:14.
*** Will talking about
world peace create a false security?
“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. “For yourselves know
perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For
when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction
cometh upon them... But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that
that day should overtake you as a thief.” 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4.
*** What warning to
Isaiah to the faithful in his day should also be the Christian’s reaction
to last-day conditions?
“Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” Isaiah 8:12.
(See 1 Peter 3:14.) “When these things begin to come to pass, then
look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28.