The title of this article is taken from Hebrews 10:2525Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25), where believers are exhorted not to be “forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” We may ask, “What day is it, which we are to see approaching?” We know that the Lord’s coming for His saints was always the proper hope of the church, right from the beginning, so that Paul himself could say, in referring to that event, “Then we which are alive and remain” (1 Thess. 4:17). He fully expected that he would be among the number who would be alive at the Lord’s coming. Because there are no direct signs in Scripture of the Lord’s coming for us nor any prophetic events that must be fulfilled before He can come, the day referred to here cannot be the day of His coming for us. Rather, it refers to the day of judgment, when the Lord comes back in power and glory to set up His kingdom. There are definitely signs of the approach of this day, and unquestionably we are seeing these signs today. Knowing that the Lord’s coming for us must precede the day of judgment, we can surely conclude that the Lord’s coming for us is near. What are some of these signs?
The Sovereign State of Israel
A most important development, and perhaps the most significant, has been the creation of the sovereign state of Israel. She ceased to be a sovereign nation back in 605 B.C., when the remaining kingdom of Judah was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar. In 1948, more than 2,500 years later, God allowed a combination of forces in the world to favor the formation of the state of Israel. This is nothing short of a miracle, when we consider how the Jews have been both dispersed and persecuted over the centuries.
Before the tribulation period can begin, Israel must not only exist, but must resume offering sacrifices, for we read in Daniel 9:2727And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27) that “in the midst of the week he [the Roman beast] shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease.” Israel has gone back to her land and established herself, and to date has managed to maintain her position (with the support of the U.S.A.) against the seemingly overwhelming opposition of the surrounding Arab nations. But she has done it in unbelief and in her own strength. During the tribulation, she will be humbled in an awful way when the king of the north comes down and desolates her, but then will return to the Lord, and the kingdom will be set up in His power, not human energy. Surely this is another strong indication of the nearness of our Lord’s return.
New Nations Reborn
But there is more. In Luke 21:2929And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; (Luke 21:29) we read, “Behold the fig tree, and all the trees.” In Scripture the fig tree represents Israel nationally, and her rise is a sign that “summer is now nigh at hand” (Luke 21:3030When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. (Luke 21:30)). But not only Israel has begun to bud; many other nations — “all the trees” — are coming to the fore. Within the last fifty years, more than seventy new nations have taken their places in the world scene, and still more ethnic groups are agitating for their own state. All are wanting to “have their say,” so to speak, and to be recognized as being important. Again, all this shows us that “the kingdom of God is nigh at hand” (Luke 21:3131So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. (Luke 21:31)).
The Arab Nations
As we have mentioned, the hatred of the Arab nations surrounding Israel is increasing; these nations, and terrorist groups spawned by them, have been able to harass Israel and create a great deal of tension in the world. Doubtless the hatred existed in the past, but in the last few years it has been inflamed to a remarkable degree. Also, the ways and means of expressing this anger are multiplied with modern weapons, for now a simple peasant can launch a missile from his shoulder that can bring down an airplane. Again, this too is an indication of the end times. In Psalm 83 we read, “Lo, thine enemies make a tumult. ... They have taken crafty counsel against thy people. ... They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance” (Psa. 83:2-42For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. 3They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. 4They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. (Psalm 83:2‑4)). In subsequent verses these nations are named — the old enemies of Israel, but surely it is their descendants who have the same attitude towards God’s chosen people. The avowed aim of the Arab terrorist groups is exactly what we read here — to destroy Israel. Again, all this will come to a head after the Lord’s coming, but the rise in Arab hatred and terrorism is surely another evidence of our Lord’s near return.
The Revived Roman Empire
We know that it was the Roman authority, at the insistence of the Jews, that crucified the Lord Jesus. God will revive this empire, although not in all its former glory, in order to judge it. This was prophesied as far back as Daniel, in the interpretation of the image that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream. The legs of iron (Rome) were replaced by feet of iron and clay, having in them “of the strength of the iron,” but being “partly strong, and partly broken” (Dan. 2:41-4241And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. 42And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. (Daniel 2:41‑42)). Since the breakup of the Roman Empire, for many centuries the countries of Europe were divided and engaged constantly in wars with one another. But in the last fifty or sixty years, Europe has united. The European Economic Community (EEC) was founded in 1957, and this eventually became the European Union (EU) in 1991. Today there are twenty-eight member countries, all working together economically, and without border controls among themselves.
We know that eventually ten kings will be under the control of the Roman beast (Rev. 17:1212And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. (Revelation 17:12)), and at this point it is unclear just who will comprise these ten kings. But the rise of a united Europe is surely a sign of the imminence of the day of judgment. More than this, at least some of these countries have been very reluctant to merge their sovereignty with other nations, yet are forced to do so for economic and political survival. “God hath put into their hearts to fulfill His will, and to agree, and to give their kingdom unto the beast” (Rev. 17:1717For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. (Revelation 17:17)).
Russia
Coupled with the increasing influence of the EU has been a revival of Russian power in the last few years and an asserting of herself in world affairs. After the fall of the Soviet Union (more than twenty-five years ago), Russia was in disarray, without a strong leader, and for the most part was relegated to strategic irrelevance in the world scene. Now, with the rise of Putin, everything has changed. A former high-ranking member of the KGB, he is a cold, calculating and ruthless man, who is determined to make Russia a force to be reckoned with in the world. Scripture tells us clearly (Ezekiel 38-39) that she will play a prominent role in the end times and will try to attack Israel after the kingdom of the beast and the king of the north have been destroyed. A strong and aggressive Russia is necessary to fulfill prophecy, and I would suggest that her recent revival also shows us that the day of judgment is approaching.
Communications and Commerce
Finally, I might mention two other developments which, while not necessarily directly connected with prophecy as to coming judgment, yet are surely ripening the world for it. One of these is the rapidly increasing interaction of nations with one another, both socially and commercially. Increased social communication via entities like the Internet and, more recently, Facebook and Twitter have promoted a unanimity of thought and outlook among those who otherwise come from greatly diverse cultural backgrounds. This is particularly true of younger people, although all are affected.
Also, the world is intertwined and interdependent in trade and commerce as never before. International trade now involves every major country in the world; none can afford to be isolated when it comes to business. Ships are larger than ever before, and docks and canals are having to be greatly enlarged to accommodate them. In the first few years of the tribulation period, when God begins to dismantle all of man’s vaunted pride and progress, all will be affected, not just a few.
The Present Instability
One last development is related to trade and commerce, namely, the present instability of the world. Various authorities have recently described the political and economic condition of the world as “a house of cards,” or a place that is ripe for “the perfect storm.” While it is beyond the scope of this article to go into the reasons for this, it can be said with confidence that much of the volatility is due to the penchant of the Western world to live beyond its means. The rise of debt, both national and personal, has generated a crisis that no one wants to face. Any democratic government that takes serious measures to curb it faces an angry electorate and ultimate defeat in the next election. But a reckoning day must come; the “perfect storm” is inevitable unless a strong leader can take control and persuade people to swallow the bitter pill of austerity. No doubt the Roman beast will fill this role, but again, he cannot rise to power until the church is gone.
Hope and Sobriety
In view of all this, two thoughts should fill our hearts. First of all, we should, like the godly Jew in a coming day, “look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:2828And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28)). It is a day when many are discouraged and feeling that they cannot continue on living for the Lord against the tide of evil and indifference that is so common today. But the hope of the Lord’s coming should encourage our hearts and give us renewed energy.
Second, it should sober us up, as we contemplate the awful judgments that will soon fall on this world. Peter reminds us, “Be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (1 Peter 4:7). We must walk in dependence on the Lord, leaning on His strength, and asking Him for the grace to go on. We can be thankful for a measure of liberty in Western countries at the moment, but even this may change. But the hope of His coming is what will give us courage, not merely to exist, but to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
W. J. Prost