Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 86

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

The Dark Day Of May 19, 1780. "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened." Matt. 24:29.

"And _the stars shall fall from heaven_." Matt. 24:29.

24. When did the stars fall, as here predicted?

Nov. 13, 1833.

NOTE.-On the morning of Nov. 13, 1833, there occurred the most wonderful exhibition of shooting stars the world has ever seen.

Those who witnessed it, says Professor Olmsted, the celebrated astronomer of Yale College, "probably saw the greatest display of celestial fireworks that has ever been since the creation of the world, or at least within the annals covered by the pages of history." The extent of this shower, he says, "was such as to cover no inconsiderable part of the earth's surface." And, like the darkening of the sun and moon, it was considered by many who saw it as "the harbinger of the coming of the Son of man."

25. What were to be the signs on earth of Christ's coming?

"And upon the earth _distress of nations_, with perplexity; _the sea and the waves roaring; 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 21:25, 26.

NOTE.-This is an exact picture of the condition of things in the world today. Through greed of gain, lawlessness, licentiousness, increasing violence, trouble between capital and labor, international complications, and preparations for war, the nations are perplexed, and men's hearts tremble with fear as they look into the future. The elements are also disturbed, as seen in great earthquakes and storms on land and sea.

26. What did Christ say was to be the next great event following these signs?

"And then shall they see _the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory_." Verse 27. See Matt. 24:30.

27. When these things should _begin_ to come to pa.s.s, what did Christ tell His people to do?

"And when these things begin to come to pa.s.s, then _look up, and lift up your heads_; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:28.

28. When the trees put forth their leaves, what do we know?

"Now learn a parable of the fig-tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, _ye know that summer is nigh_." Matt. 24:32.

29. What may be known with equal certainty when these signs have been seen?

"So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, _know that it is near, even at the doors_." Verse 33. "So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pa.s.s, _know ye that the kingdom of G.o.d is nigh at hand_."

Luke 21:31.

30. What did Christ say of the certainty of this prophecy?

"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pa.s.s, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pa.s.s away, but My word shall not pa.s.s away." Matt. 24:34, 35.

NOTE.-Every one at all acquainted with history knows that what Christ foretold concerning the destruction of Jerusalem came true to the very letter. So likewise may we be a.s.sured that what He has said concerning the end of the world will as certainly and as literally be fulfilled.

31. Who alone knows the exact day of Christ's coming?

"But of that day and hour _knoweth no man_, no, not the angels of heaven, but _My Father only_." Verse 36.

32. What did Christ say would be the moral condition of the world just preceding His advent?

"But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were _eating_ and _drinking_, _marrying_ and _giving in marriage_, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; _so shall also the coming of the Son of man be_." Verses 37-39.

33. In view of the fact that we do not know the exact time of Christ's coming, what important admonition has He given us?

"Therefore _be ye also ready_: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Verse 44.

34. What will be the experience of those who say in their hearts that the Lord is not soon coming?

"But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder [cut him off, margin], and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Verses 48-51.

In the sun, and moon, and stars, Signs and wonders have appeared; Earth has groaned with b.l.o.o.d.y wars, And the hearts of men have feared.

But, though from His awful face Heaven shall fade and earth shall fly, Fear not ye, His chosen race, Your redemption draweth nigh.

REGINALD HEBER.

Signs Of The Times

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Falling Stars At Niagara. "And the stars shall fall from heaven." Matt.

24:29.

1. For what did Christ reprove the Pharisees and Sadducees?

"O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but _can ye not discern the signs of the times_?" Matt. 16:3.

2. What sign had been foretold by the prophet Isaiah by which Christ, at His _first_ advent, might be known as the Messiah?

"Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, _a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel_." Isa. 7:14.

For fulfilment, see Matt. 1:22, 23.

3. Where had the prophet said Christ should be born?

"But thou, _Bethlehem_ Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel." Micah 5:2. For fulfilment, see Matt. 2:1.