Difference between revisions of "Signs of the Times"

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Latter-day Saints believe the Second Coming of Christ is near. Vignette from Jon McNaughton, Parting the Veil (The Second Coming)

The Signs of the Times are events occurring during the Last Days which have been prophesied as leading up to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The phrase "signs of the times" was used by Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:3) when he "reproved certain antagonists for not recognizing earlier prophecies relative to his second advent. He said they understood signs pertaining to the weather, but did not understand the 'signs of the times.'"[2]

Jesus Christ taught His disciples that His coming was prophesied and that He would come again.

For I say unto you, that ye shall not see me henceforth and know that I am he of whom it is written by the prophets, until ye shall say: Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord, in the clouds of heaven, and all the holy angels with him. Then understood his disciples that he should come again on the earth, after that he was glorified and crowned on the right hand of God. (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:1)

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:4; see Matthew 24:3 and Luke 21)

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have the prophesies from the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, and the prophets from Joseph Smith down to the current day.

The Lord Himself taught a few signs for His disciples to watch for, but He chose not to reveal the exact time of His second coming:

But of that day, and hour, no one knoweth; no, not the angels of God in heaven, but my Father only. But as it was in the days of Noah, so it shall be also at the coming of the Son of Man; For it shall be with them, as it was in the days which were before the flood; for until the day that Noah entered into the ark they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage; And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.(Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:40–43; see Matthew 24:36–39)

The flood is a type of the final destruction of the wicked. Noah preached to the people for many decades, but none would hearken to his warnings of impending doom except his own family. Prophets have warned and continue to warn that the earth will be cleansed of wickedness when Christ comes again. Though no one knew the exact date of the flood, they still had been warned to repent. The Lord has given signs that the Second Coming is approaching to prompt the righteous to prepare, and the wicked to repent.

Signs are given to help latter-day Israel prepare for His Second Coming and the great events that will precede it. "Recognizing such signs will enable discerning individuals to understand the unfolding of prophetic events in the final phase of the earth's history."[3] Jesus Christ said, "And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived, for the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels before him with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the remainder of his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. . . . Therefore be ye also ready"(Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37, 48).

Most anticipated and yearned for with the conclusion of the last days is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will come again and personally reign upon the renewed "paradisiacal" earth(A of F 10).

Signs of the Times Revealed by Jesus (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24; Luke 21)

• There will be many false Christs that would lead away many. (Also see Revelation 13:13-14; Joseph Smith 1:22.)
• False prophets will also arise, the apostles would be killed, and a general apostasy would occur.
• Iniquity will abound, causing the love of men to wax cold.
• Jerusalem would be overcome, leading to the "abomination of desolation."
• There will be "wars and rumors of wars." ^[1]
• There will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes.
• The sun will be darkened, the moon will not give light, the stars shall fall, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
• The sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven.

Latter-day Saints believe these are fulfilled

• America will be discovered and settled by Europeans (Ether 2:7-12; 1 Nephi 13:1-19).
• The American nation will be established with inspired leaders and an inspired constitution (2 Nephi 10:9-19; 3 Nephi 21:4; Doctrine and Covenants 98:4-10; 134; 101:76-80).
• Additional scripture will come forth, including the Book of Mormon, or "stick of Joseph," to join the Bible, or "stick of Judah" (Isaiah 29; Ezekiel 37; 2 Nephi 3:12; 2 Nephi 27, 29; 3 Nephi 21; Mormon 8).
• There will be opposition to the Book of Mormon (2 Nephi 29).
• There will be a restoration of priesthood authority and keys (Doctrine and Covenants 13; 27; 128).
• The gospel of Christ in its fulness will be restored (Isaiah 2; 4; 5; 10; 11; 13; 18; 24; 29; 33; 34; 35; 51; 52; 54; 60; 63; 64; 65; 66; Revelation 14:6-8; Doctrine and Covenants 133:36-41).
• The Church and God's kingdom will be reestablished (Daniel 2:31-45; Doctrine and Covenants 20; 128:20).
• Elijah will return (Malachi 3:1-6; Doctrine and Covenants 110).
• The Saints will be persecuted (Doctrine and Covenants 45:18-32).
• The Jews will be scattered among all nations (Acts 1:6-11; Doctrine and Covenants 110:11; Doctrine and Covenants 133:13).

Ongoing (being fulfilled over time)

• The spirit of Elijah will fill the earth, turning the hearts of the children to their fathers (family history and genealogy work). ^[2]
• The kingdom will roll forth and grow (Daniel 2:44; Moses 7:60-66; Doctrine and Covenants 65; Isaiah 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14).
• The Lamanites will blossom as the rose (Doctrine and Covenants 49:24-25).
• The spirit (of Christ) will be poured out on all flesh (Joel 2:28-32; Joseph Smith 2:41).
• The gospel will be preached to every nation, tongue and kindred (Joseph Smith 1:31; Doctrine and Covenants 133:37).
• There will be many false churches (Mormon 8:26-41).
• Worldly knowledge will increase (Daniel 12:4).
• Temples will be built all over the world (Isaiah 2:1-5; Micah 4:1-7; Ezekiel 37; Doctrine and Covenants 133:13; 124:25-42).
• Wars will rage worldwide. There will be wars on the American continent (Doctrinal History of the Church, 3:391; Doctrine and Covenants 45:66-71; 63:33; 97:22-24).
• Disasters and calamities will abound (Doctrine and Covenants 61:4-5, 14-15) and strikes, anarchy, and violence will increase (Doctrine and Covenants 45:26).
• Iniquity (wickedness) will abound (Joseph Smith 1:30).
• The waves of the sea will roar (Luke 21); the seas shall heave beyond their bounds (Doctrine and Covenants 88:90).
• Peace will be taken from the earth (Doctrine and Covenants 1:35).

Forthcoming

• Destroying angels will be released (Doctrine and Covenants 38:12). ^[3]
• The Jews will again be gathered prior to the Second Coming (Acts 1:6-11; Doctrine and Covenants 110:11; Doctrine and Covenants 133:13).
• The Jews will begin to believe in Christ (2 Nephi 30:7).
• The temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt (Isaiah 2:1-5; Micah 4:1-7; Ezekiel 37; Doctrine and Covenants 133:13; 124:25-42). “It is ordained that in Zion, and in her stakes, and in Jerusalem, those places which I have appointed for refuge, shall be the places for your baptisms for the dead” (D&C 124:36; emphasis added).
• Zion, the New Jerusalem, will be established on the American continent and will be a place of refuge for the righteous (Articles of Faith, 10). Doctrine and Covenants 101:17, 20 seems to indicate that the Center Stake of the New Jerusalem, the headquarters of the Church, must be established in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri.
• Two opposing kingdoms, the kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of Satan, will exist in the last days. There will be a separation of the righteous and the wicked (see Alma 10:23).
• The Ten Lost Tribes will return (Esdras 13:40-47). They will bring scriptures to add the canon of scripture (Doctrine and Covenants 133:26-34).
• The times of the Gentiles (wherein the Gentiles have precedence in receiving the gospel) will be fulfilled (1 Nephi 13:42; Luke 21:24; Doctrine and Covenants 45:24-30; Inspired Version:Luke 21:24-32).
• 144,000 missionaries, 12,000 from each tribe of Israel, will be called, protected (sealed in their foreheads) and sent forth to attempt one last gathering of the pure of heart (Revelation 7:2-8; 14:1-5; Doctrine and Covenants 77:11). ^[4]
• There will be a great council at Adam-ondi-Ahman whereat all the prophets will turn their keys of administration over to Christ (Doctrine and Covenants 27:4-14; Doctrine and Covenants 116; see Daniel 7:9-14). ^[5]
• The Lord will come "suddenly to His temple" (Malachi 3:1; Doctrine and Covenants 110:1-10; Doctrine and Covenants 84:31).
• The war of Armageddon will rage for three and a half years (Zechariah 12; 13; 14; Ezekiel 38; 39; Revelation 9; Doctrine and Covenants 29:14-21).
• Two prophets will prophesy in Jerusalem and protect the city for three and a half years, until they themselves are killed (Doctrine and Covenants 77:15; Revelation 11).
• A tremendous earthquake will change the face of the earth; the Mt. of Olives will cleave, the surviving Jews will escape through the cleft, and Christ will descend to save them from the destroying armies (Ezekiel 38; Zechariah 14:4, 5; Revelation 6:12-17).
• Christ will destroy Israel's enemies (Zechariah 14:12, 13).
• The Jews will recognize Christ and mourn (Zechariah 14:2-6; Doctrine and Covenants 45:48-53).
• Jerusalem will become a glorious and holy city (2 Nephi 14:2-6).
• The continents will become connected again—"He shall command the great deep, and it shall be driven back into the north countries, and the islands shall become one land; And the land of Jerusalem and the land of Zion shall be turned back into their own place, and the earth shall be like it was in the days before it was divided" (Doctrine and Covenants 133:21-24).
• First a portion of sea life dies, then all life in the sea dies (Revelation 16:1).
• There will be a plague of hail (Revelation 11:19; 16:21).
• A river of water will flow east and west from the Jerusalem temple mount, healing the Dead Sea.
• Absence of rainbows the year of Christ's coming.^[6]
• The earth will be cleansed by fire and the wicked consumed (Revelation 18:17, 18, 23, 24).
• There will be a day, a night without darkness, and a day (Zechariah 14:6, 7).
• There will be signs on earth and in the heavens (Doctrine and Covenants 45:39-42; Joel 2:30-31).
• The sun will darken, the moon turn to blood, the stars fall (Doctrine and Covenants 29:14; Acts 2:20; Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:33).
• Voices will be heard from heaven (Revelation 11:15; Doctrine and Covenants 45:48, 49; Doctrine and Covenants 88:92-94). The trump of God will announce the Second Coming. All men will witness it together.
• Babylon, the "great and abominable church" will fall (1 Nephi 13:5; Doctrine and Covenants 88:94; 29:21; Ezekiel 38; 39; Revelation 17; 18).
• The wicked will be burned as stubble (Malachi 4; Doctrine and Covenants 29:9-10; 63:34, 54; 101:23-31; 133:63-640).
• The City of Enoch will rejoin the City of Zion (Moses 7:62-64). (See: What the "Sign of the Son of Man" at the Second Coming Means)
• A resurrection of the just will occur. The righteous who are living will be caught up to meet Christ in the clouds (Doctrine and Covenants 88:95-98; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

Uncertain (could have been fulfilled)

• There will be an "overflowing scourge" to afflict men (Doctrine and Covenants 45:31).
• The Lord will cease to strive with the wicked and will withdraw from them (Doctrine and Covenants 63:32; 1:33).
• Latter-day Saint missionaries will be called home. ^[7]

Scripture that applies to the latter days

Book of Helaman (Book of Mormon) (See David A. Bednar, "In the Space of Not Many Years," October 2024 General Conference)

Although the other signs of the Second Coming are indeed miraculous, the Doctrine and Covenants asserts that there will be “greater signs in heaven above” than that of the stars falling, the sun being darkened, and the moon appearing as blood (D&C 29:14). President Wilford Woodruff, who was shown many of these additional signs by an angel of God, relates what one of them will be. As a missionary, he had the following experience:

I knelt down and prayed. I arose from my knees and sat down. The room was filled with light. A messenger came to me. We had a long conversation. He laid before me as if in a panorama, the :signs of the last days, and told me what was coming to pass. I saw the sun turned to darkness, the moon to blood, [and] the stars fall from heaven. I saw the resurrection day. I saw :armies of men in the first resurrection, clothed with the robes of the Holy Priesthood. I saw the second resurrection. I saw a great many signs that were presented before me [cf. Hel. :14:6], by this personage; and among the rest, there were seven lions, as of burning brass, set in the heavens. [The angel said], “That is one of the signs that will appear in the heavens :before the coming of the Son of Man. It is a sign of the various dispensations.

The Lord has promised that those who seek him will be preserved and that the righteous need not fear. He has also said that men's hearts shall fail them:

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 21:26).

And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth (Doctrine and Covenants 45:26).

And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people (Doctrine and Covenants 88:91).

Yet, the Lord will preserve the righteous and provide places of sanctuary for the pure in heart, and many will rejoice at His coming, which will usher in one thousand years of peace. During the millennium, Christ will reign personally on the earth (Doctrine and Covenants 29:11; Revelation 11:15).

Counsel for the Last Days from President Russell M. Nelson

"I am also not naive about the days ahead. We live in a world that is complex and increasingly contentious. The constant availability of social media and a 24-hour news cycle bombard us with relentless messages. If we are to have any hope of sifting through the myriad of voices and the philosophies of men that attack truth, we must learn to receive revelation. "Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.

“I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation.”"Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives," April 2018 General Conference

References