Preparation for the Second Coming - Dallin H. Oaks - Apr 2004
Gospel Topics - Second Coming of Jesus Christ
Chronology for the signs of the times
The second coming of Jesus Christ - context and introduction
Math 24:1-3 - Jesus Teaches his disciples that the destruction of the temple this massive edifice with stones larger than a truck will be cast down - they ask him - when shall this be?
JST Math 1:1 He then begins to tell the of when he shall return again in glory - and that the signs of this return are indeed given and will be understood by the faithful.
When will he come again - should we be afraid?
JST Math 1:23 - be not troubled as you hear of and prepare for that which is surely to come.
So often people think of the signs of the coming of the son of man, and are terrified, and look forward with fear to the fulfilling of the prophecies concerning his return. Should we be afraid?
What are we afraid of? Why does this cause fear?
Fear is a negative prediction of the future - it is based upon the belief that something bad, negative, or terrible is forthcoming so we feel anxiety, concern about it.
It is true that there are many things about the second coming that can and probably should cause us fear.
Yet we know not only the SIGNS of his coming, but the final result of it as well - thus that which we don't know is less than that which we do.
Why then should we fear. Is not this life but a small moment, and this earthly existence but a small dream?
It is faith that we should promote - and an understanding of the triumph of Jesus Christ over all enemies, and his implementation of the millennium that should be the basis of our faith, not our fear.
Will we know the times/season for when he will come? YES!
D&C 45:34-39
34 And now, when I the Lord had spoken these words unto my disciples, they were troubled.
35 And I said unto them: Be not , for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled.
36 And when the shall begin to break forth, it shall be with them like unto a parable which I will show you—
37 Ye look and behold the , and ye see them with your eyes, and ye say when they begin to shoot forth, and their leaves are yet tender, that summer is now nigh at hand;
38 Even so it shall be in that day when they shall see all these things, then shall they know that the hour is nigh.
39 And it shall come to pass that he that me shall be forth for the great of the Lord to , even for the of the coming of the .
Should we not then be wise and come to an understanding of when he will come? Yes!
What is the promise to those who have been wise?
D&C 45:57-59
57 For they that are wise and have received the , and have taken the Holy Spirit for their , and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the , but shall abide the day.
58 And the shall be given unto them for an ; and they shall and wax strong, and their shall without unto .
59 For the Lord shall be in their , and his shall be upon them, and he will be their and their .
You will find that as an individual reviews the scriptures and modern revelation we have a very good idea indeed for when we should look for him in the clouds. For is the fig tree leaves tender... and has the signs been given?
We do not know the hour, the day, or the year when he will come - but when that time approaches we will know if not the hour or day - the basic time of his return.
Remember as well that the signs of his coming can and have had duel fulfillment meaning that they have happened once - and will happen once again...
Much as the events that happened before his first coming in the America's will mirror in some cases the events that happen before he comes again.
What are the signs of his coming - and where are we in the order of them?
The Book of Mormon is published 3 Nephi 21:7-8
The restoration of the gospel
Israel will be gathered as a nation 3 Nephi 21:1-2, 3 Nephi 29:1, 2 Nephi 6:11
Times of the Gentiles Begins
False Prophets Math 24:5, Mark 13:6 Luke 21:8-9
Wars and Rumors of wars Matthew 24:6–7 D&C 45:34-35 be not troubled, Mark 13:7-8, Luke 21:10
Iniquity abounds D&C 45:25-27, Matthew 24:6–7, D&C 29:17; D&C 45:26–33; D&C 88:91
Famines pestilence and earthquakes Math 24:7
Martyrs, Iniquity abound, love of many wax cold Math 24:9-13, Mark 13:9, Mark 13:12-13 Luke 21:12-14
Gospel is preached unto all the world Math 24:14, D&C 133:7-10,D&C 133:37, D&C65:2 Mark 13:10
Desolating sickness covers the land D&C 45:30-32, Rev 16:2 , Rev 16:10-11
Jerusalem is Trodden under foot Luke 21:24
Earthquakes/Tsunamis - All things in commotion D&C 88:88-91 D&C 45:30,33 Luke 21:11
Times of the Gentiles End - one generation of time since beginning D&C 45:30
Jerusalem is trodden down until it is fulfilled Luke 21:22-24
Gentiles shall sin against the gospel and shall be lifted up in pride and full of sin 3 Nephi 16:10-13
Gospel shall be taken away from them after they reject it 3 Nephi 16:10-13
If they reject it they shall be trodden under the feet of those of the descendants of Israel 3 Nephi 16:15-16
The Great War Begins
Gathering of Nations to war against Israel Luke 21:20 Zech 14:2, Joel 3:1, Rev 16:14 Jer 25:26 Ezek 38:14-16 Ezek 39:1 (Gog prince of Meshech and Tubal - Probably area between Black and Caspian Sea- Caucasus Region - Russia and the disputed area of the Crimea)
Why the Caucasus Region?
"The identification of Meshech and Tubal with the Caucasus region is based on linguistic and historical considerations. In ancient Assyrian inscriptions, there are references to a people called the "Mushki" or "Musku" who inhabited the area around the upper Euphrates River, which is in the vicinity of the Caucasus. Some scholars associate the Mushki with the biblical Meshech.
Similarly, Tubal is believed by some scholars to be associated with the Tibareni, a people mentioned in ancient Greek and Assyrian sources who lived in the eastern part of Anatolia, which is close to the Caucasus region."
Hillers, D.R. "Tubal and Meshech as Historical Figures in Ezekiel 38 and 39." Journal of Biblical Literature, vol. 87, no. 3, 1968, pp. 297-303.
Hayes, John H., and J. Maxwell Miller. A History of Ancient Israel and Judah. Westminster John Knox Press, 2006.
Freedman, David Noel, et al., editors. "Meshech and Tubal." The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, vol. 4, Doubleday, 1992, pp. 772-774.
Young, Rodger C. "Meshech, Tubal, and Tyre." Bibliotheca Sacra, vol. 146, no. 582, 1989, pp. 18-29.
Kitchen, K.A. "The Treaty of Alliance between Idrimi and Pillia of Karkemish and the Historical Geography of Syria and Cilicia in the Late Bronze Age." Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research, no. 246, 1982, pp. 31-43.
The destruction of Israel is their goal Ezek 38:8, Ezek 38:5-16 Joel 2:1, Joel 3:1-2 Zech 14:2
Descriptions of Armies - fighting rages Rev 9:3-11
Jerusalem is Besieged - and the prophets prophecy...
Two Prophets Prophecy in Jerusalem D&C 77:15 Rev 11:3-4 Rev 11:5-6
Those not involved int he fighting in the world go about their lives as normal - marry and are given in marriage Math 24:37-39 JSM 1:41-43
The siege is successful - and 1/2 of the city is taken and destroyed Zech 14:2,4 (Siege time estimate - 42 months 3.5 years Rev 11:2)
The Abomination of desolation happens again with a vengeance Math 24:15-20 Mark 13:14 Luke 21:22-24
This happened once before AD 70 and will again
According to Josephus, the Romans, upon entering the city, unleashed immense brutality. The Jewish defenders and civilians faced relentless violence, plundering, and killing. The Romans showed no mercy and systematically slaughtered those they encountered, regardless of age or gender. Josephus describes how Roman soldiers engaged in indiscriminate killing, with many Jews dying by the sword or being trampled in the narrow streets of the city.
It was absolutely vicious, ruthless, and without any compassion - men, women, children even pregnant women were viciously exterminated...
It is so bad that if Jesus hadn't come all of his people would have been destroyed Math 24:21-22 Mark 13:19-20
False Christs and false prophets show signs and wonders Math 24:23-24 Mark 13:21-22
His coming will be as the sun rises in the east and moves to the west in the sky Math 24:27
Two Prophets killed Rev 11:7-8 Rev 11:9-10
The Great War Ends
The sun is darkened and the moon gives not her light Math 24:29–30 Rev 8:12 Rev 6:12 Mark 13:24-25 Luke 21:25-26
The sign of the son of man appears - people think it is a comet/planet in route Math 24:29–30; D&C 29:14–16; 45:39–42; 49:23; 88:87–90 JSM 1:36 Mark 13:26
The two prophets are Resurrected Rev 11:11-12
The Rapture occurs Mat 24:40-41 D&C 88:96-98 1 Thes 4:16-17 D&C 27:18 D&C 76:50-60, 76:63 D&C 76:102 JSM 1:44 Mark 13:27
The Time of the 1st Resurrection D&C 45:45-47 D&C 88:97, D&C 45:44-46, D&C 88: 14-18
The Lord Arrives in Power and great glory and stands upon the mount of olives Zech 14:2,4 Rev 14:1
There is a terrible plague, and hailstorm, the mountain splits in half D&C 45:48
The army is destroyed D&C 45:47 Ezek 38:22 Ezek 39:2 D&C 29:18-20, Zech 14:12
The people loot the army for 7 years for fuel, food, etc Ezek. 39:8-10
The Jews Accept Jesus as their savior D&C 45:51-53
Watch Therefore and Prepare
The Parable of the 10 virgins - members of the church who were not converted
Were the five wise virgins selfish and unwilling to share, or were they indicating correctly that the oil of conversion cannot be borrowed? Can the spiritual strength that results from consistent obedience to the commandments be given to another person? Can the knowledge obtained through diligent study and pondering of the scriptures be conveyed to one who is in need? Can the peace the gospel brings to a faithful Latter-day Saint be transferred to an individual experiencing adversity or great challenge? The clear answer to each of these questions is no.
As the wise virgins emphasized properly, each of us must “buy for ourselves.” These inspired women were not describing a business transaction; rather, they were emphasizing our individual responsibility to keep our lamp of testimony burning and to obtain an ample supply of the oil of conversion. This precious oil is acquired one drop at a time—“line upon line [and] precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30), patiently and persistently. No shortcut is available; no last-minute flurry of preparation is possible.
“Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom” (D&C 33:17).