1. Lesson 21: What Is the Sign of Thy Coming? 2. l tom perry 3. tornado prediction then go over what did in omaha 4. tornado prediction then go over what did in omaha 5. parable of fig tree 6. What two questions did the disciples ask Jesus on the Mount of Olives? (See Joseph SmithMatthew 1:4. 4 Tell us when shall these things be which thou hast said concerning the destruction of the temple, and the Jews; and what is the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world, or the destruction of the wicked, which is the end of the world? Joseph SmithMatthew 1:520 is the Saviors answer to their first question. Joseph SmithMatthew 1:2155 is the Saviors answer to their second question, which was about his Second Coming.) 7. What did Jesus prophesy about the temple in Jerusalem and the city itself? (See Joseph SmithMatthew 1:23, 12.) What signs did the Savior prophesy would precede the destruction of Jerusalem? (See Joseph SmithMatthew 1:510.) 5 And Jesus answered, and said unto them: Take heed that no man deceive you; 6 For many shall come in my name, sayingI am Christand shall deceive many; 7 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations, for my names sake; 8 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another; 9 And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many; 10 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold; 8. What did Jesus tell his followers to do to avoid destruction? Joseph SmithMatthew 1: 11 But he that remaineth steadfast and is not overcome, the same shall be saved. 12 When you, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, then you shall stand in the holy place; whoso readeth let him understand. 13 Then let them who are in Judea flee into the mountains; 14 Let him who is on the housetop flee, and not return to take anything out of his house; 15 Neither let him who is in the field return back to take his clothes Why was it important that they not return to their homes once they had fled? (See Luke 9:62; D&C 133:1415.) 9. Although many Jews did not believe their great city and temple could be destroyed, the Lords prophecies were fulfilled in A.D. 70. 10. Believing that the Messiah would come and help them in battle, the Jews revolted against the Romans in A.D. 66. Four years later the Romans had destroyed the entire city. Those who listened to the Savior and fled into the mountains were spared. Those who did not heed this counsel were scattered and destroyed. 11. 2. Jesus describes the signs that will precede his Second Coming. Joseph SmithMatthew 1:2155 (see also Matthew 24:68, 14, 2351). Signs and tribulations that will precede the Second Coming 22 For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant. What evidence do you see that this prophecy is being fulfilled? How can we avoid being deceived by false prophets? (See Matthew 7:1520; D&C 45:57; 46:78.) 23 Behold, I speak these things unto you for the elects sake; and you also shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled, for all I have told you must come to pass; but the end is not yet. The Lord taught that we should be not troubled by wars and rumors of war. How can we find peace during such troubled times? (See 1 John 4:1618; D&C 6:3436; 45:3435; 59:23.) 12. 64: 34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. 35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you. 36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. 59: 23 But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come. 13. Elder M. Russell Ballard gave the following counsel of hope and encouragement: Although the prophecies tell us that these things are to take place, more and more people are expressing great alarm at what appears to be an acceleration of worldwide calamity. Admittedly we have ample reason to be deeply concerned because we see no immediate answers to the seemingly unsolvable problems confronting the human family. But regardless of this dark picture, which will ultimately get worse, we must never allow ourselves to give up hope! The Lord is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. He has given us adequate instruction that, if followed, will see us safely through any crisis. His purposes will be fulfilled, and someday we will understand the eternal reasons for all of these events. Therefore, today we must be careful not to overreact, nor should we be caught up in extreme preparations; but what we must do is keep the commandments of God and never lose hope! But where do we find hope in the midst of such turmoil and catastrophe? Quite simply, our one hope for spiritual safety during these turbulent times is to turn our minds and our hearts to Jesus Christ. Armed with the shield of faith, we can overcome many of our daily challenges and overpower our greatest weaknesses and fears, knowing that if we do our best to keep the commandments of God, come what may, we will be all right (in Conference Report, Oct. 1992, 4143; or Ensign, Nov. 1992, 3132). 14. What signs of the Second Coming are described in Joseph SmithMatthew 1:31? Missionary work What signs of the Second Coming are described in Joseph SmithMatthew 1:29 30? 29 Behold I speak for mine elects sake; for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 30 And again, because iniquity shall abound, the love of men shall wax cold; but he that shall not be overcome, the same shall be saved. What have latter-day prophets counseled us to do to prepare for the natural disasters that will precede the Second Coming? What signs of the Second Coming are mentioned in Joseph SmithMatthew 1:32 33? Abomination of desolation 15. The Lord told his followers in Jerusalem to stand in the holy place (Joseph SmithMatthew 1:12) What are some holy places in which we should stand? How will these places help protect us during the difficulties of the last days? President Ezra Taft Benson said, Holy men and holy women stand in holy places, and these holy places include our temples, our chapels, our homes, and the stakes of Zion, which are, as the Lord declares, for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth (D&C 115:6) (Prepare Yourselves for the Great Day of the Lord, Brigham Young University 1981 Fireside and Devotional Speeches [1981], 68). 16. What guidance did Jesus give to help us not be deceived in the last days before his Second Coming? 37 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. (See Joseph SmithMatthew 1:37.) How can we treasure up the Lords word? How has treasuring up the Lords word helped you avoid being deceived? 17. What did Jesus teach in the following passages to help us prepare for his Second Coming? a. The parable of the fig tree (Joseph SmithMatthew 1:3840). When we see the leaves it is a sign b. The comparison of the Second Coming to the days of Noah (verses 41 43). Eating, drinking, marriage and giving in marriage until flood came and took them away. Same with Son c. The prophecy of two people working in the field and two people grinding at the mill (verses 4446). Two grinding at the mill, one taken one left, know not the hour d. The parable of the good man and the thief (verses 4748). If the good man knew when the thief came he would have watched, the hour ye think not the Son of Man cometh. 18. e. The parable of the lord and his servants (verses 49 54). 49 Who, then, is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 50 Blessed is that servant whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing; and verily I say unto you, he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 51 But if that evil servant shall say in his heart: My lord delayeth his coming, 52 And shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken, 53 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, 54 And shall cut him asunder, and shall appoint him his portion with the hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 19. Why is it important that we continuously watch and prepare for the Lords coming? How can we watch and prepare to meet the Lord? What will happen to the righteous when the Savior comes again? (See Joseph SmithMatthew 1:37, 4445, 50; 1 Thessalonians 4:1618; D&C 88:9698.) 96 And the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened and be caught up to meet him. 97 And they who have slept in their graves shall come forth, for their graves shall be opened; and they also shall be caught up to meet him in the midst of the pillar of heaven 98 They are Christs, the first fruits, they who shall descend with him first, and they who are on the earth and in their graves, who are first caught up to meet him; and all this by the voice of the sounding of the trump of the angel of God. 20. packer and maxwell 21. Conclusion The scriptural prophecies about Jesus Christs Second Coming will all be fulfilled. By studying the teachings of the Savior and following the counsel of the living prophets, we can prepare ourselves to meet Christ. If we are prepared, the Second Coming will be a wonderful day for us. 22. second coming described s