How Does The Bible Describe This €œpresent Time” As The Lord’s Return Draws Nearer?

Jesus Christ Will Return to the World

• What are some of the signs of the Second Coming?

The Savior told Joseph Smith, "I will reveal myself from sky with ability and peachy glory … and dwell in righteousness with men on globe a m years, and the wicked shall not stand" (D&C 29:eleven; see also chapters 44 and 45 in this volume). Jesus has told the states that sure signs and events volition warn united states of america when the fourth dimension of His Second Coming is near.

For thousands of years, followers of Jesus Christ accept looked forward to the Second Coming every bit a fourth dimension of peace and joy. But before the Savior comes, the people of the globe will experience great trials and calamities. Our Heavenly Male parent wants us to exist prepared for these troubles. He besides expects u.s.a. to be spiritually ready when the Savior comes in His celebrity. Therefore, He has given us signs, which are events that will tell us when the Savior's 2d Coming is near. Throughout the ages God has revealed these signs to His prophets. He has said that all faithful followers of Christ will know what the signs are and will be watching for them (see D&C 45:39). If nosotros are obedient and faithful, we will study the scriptures and know of the signs.

Some of the signs foretelling the 2d Coming of Jesus Christ have already been or are at present being fulfilled. Others will exist fulfilled in the futurity.

Wickedness, War, and Turmoil

Many of the signs are terrifying and dreadful. The prophets have warned that the globe volition experience peachy turmoil, wickedness, war, and suffering. The prophet Daniel said that the time earlier the Second Coming would exist a time of trouble such equally the earth has never known (see Daniel 12:1). The Lord said, "The love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound" (D&C 45:27). "And all things shall be in commotion; and … fear shall come upon all people" (D&C 88:91). We can look earthquakes, disease, famines, great storms, lightnings, and thunder (come across Matthew 24:seven; D&C 88:90). Hailstorms will destroy the crops of the earth (encounter D&C 29:16).

Jesus told His disciples that state of war would fill the world: "Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. … For nation shall rise confronting nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Matthew 24:half dozen–vii). The Prophet Joseph Smith said: "Be non discouraged when we tell y'all of perilous times, for they must shortly come, for the sword, famine, and pestilence are approaching. There shall be neat destructions upon the face of this land, for ye demand not suppose that ane jot or tittle of the prophecies of all the holy prophets shall fail, and there are many that remain to be fulfilled yet" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 252).

Many of these signs are being fulfilled. Wickedness is everywhere. Nations are constantly at war. Earthquakes and other calamities are occurring. Many people at present suffer from devastating storms, drought, hunger, and diseases. We tin can exist certain that these calamities volition become more than astringent earlier the Lord comes.

Still, not all the events preceding the Second Coming are dreadful. Many of them bring joy to the world.

The Restoration of the Gospel

The Lord said, "Light shall break along amongst them that sit down in darkness, and it shall be the fulness of my gospel" (D&C 45:28). Prophets of old foretold the Restoration of the gospel. The Apostle John saw that the gospel would be restored by an angel (meet Revelation 14:six–7). In fulfillment of this prophecy, the angel Moroni and other heavenly visitors brought the gospel of Jesus Christ to Joseph Smith.

The Coming Forth of the Volume of Mormon

The Lord told the Nephites of some other sign: the Book of Mormon would come up to their descendants (come across 3 Nephi 21). In Old Attestation times the prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel foresaw the coming of the Book of Mormon (encounter Isaiah 29:iv–18; Ezekiel 37:16–20). These prophecies are now being fulfilled. The Book of Mormon has been brought forth and is being taken to all the world.

The Gospel Preached to All the World

Another sign of the last days is that the "gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the earth for a witness unto all nations" (Matthew 24:xiv; see also Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:31). All people will hear the fulness of the gospel in their own language (see D&C 90:eleven). Ever since the Restoration of the Church, missionaries have preached the gospel. The missionary endeavour has increased until at present tens of thousands of missionaries preach in many countries of the world in many languages. Before the 2d Coming and during the Millennium, the Lord will provide means to bring the truth to all nations.

The Coming of Elijah

The prophet Malachi prophesied that before the Savior's 2nd Coming, the prophet Elijah would be sent to the earth. Elijah would restore the sealing powers and so families could be sealed together. He would also inspire people to be concerned about their ancestors and descendants. (See Malachi iv:5–half dozen; D&C 2.) The prophet Elijah came to Joseph Smith in April 1836. Since that fourth dimension, interest in genealogy and family history has grown. We are too able to perform sealing ordinances in the temples for the living and the dead.

Lehi's Descendants Will Get a Great People

The Lord said that when His coming was about, the Lamanites would get a righteous and respected people. He said, "Before the smashing day of the Lord shall come, … the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose" (D&C 49:24). Great numbers of Lehi's descendants are now receiving the blessings of the gospel.

Edifice of the New Jerusalem

Near the fourth dimension of the coming of Jesus Christ, the faithful Saints volition build a righteous city, a urban center of God, called the New Jerusalem. Jesus Christ Himself will rule at that place. (Meet 3 Nephi 21:23–25; Moses 7:62–64; Articles of Faith ane:10.) The Lord said the city volition be built in the state of Missouri in the United States (see D&C 84:2–3).

These are only a few of the signs that the Lord has given the states. The scriptures describe many more.

• What prove practice you see that the signs are beingness fulfilled?

Knowing the Signs of the Times Can Help Usa

• How tin can nosotros remain calm and at peace even when some of the signs are terrifying and dreadful?

Speaking of His 2d Coming, the Lord said, "The hour and the day no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven" (D&C 49:7). He taught this with the parable of the fig tree. He said that when nosotros see a fig tree putting along leaves, we can tell that summer will soon come up. Likewise, when we see the signs described in the scriptures, nosotros can know that His coming is near. (See Matthew 24:32–33.)

The Lord gives these signs to aid the states. We can put our lives in order and prepare ourselves and our families for those things yet to come up.

We accept been warned of calamities and told to prepare for them, but nosotros can too look forrard to the coming of the Savior and exist glad. The Lord said, "Be not troubled, for, when all these things [the signs] shall come up to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been fabricated unto yous shall be fulfilled" (D&C 45:35). He said those who are righteous when He comes volition not exist destroyed "only shall bide the day. And the globe shall be given unto them for an inheritance; … and their children shall grow up without sin. … For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver" (D&C 45:57–59).

Additional Scriptures

• i Corinthians 15:22–28 (the end cometh; expiry is done away)

• Matthew 16:1–4 (discern signs of the times)

• Matthew 24; D&C 29:14–23; 45:17–57; 88:87–94; Joseph Smith—Matthew 1 (signs of the Second Coming)

• 1 Thessalonians v:1–6 (watch for the signs and prepare)

• D&C 38:30 (prepare then nosotros might not fear)

• D&C 68:11 (nosotros tin know the signs)

Source: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-43-signs-of-the-second-coming?lang=eng

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