Signposts Part

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Short Summary
The discourse presents a detailed argument that Jesus Christ has invisibly returned and is presently reigning as King, supported by numerous scriptural signposts such as the restoration of Israel, global turmoil, increased knowledge, and moral decline. It emphasizes the fulfillment of prophetic events including the harvest of the saints, the gathering of the elect, and societal upheavals as evidence of Christ’s second presence, calling believers to recognize these signs and remain steadfast in faith and love.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the Discourse on Christ’s Second Presence and Related Signposts

Key Biblical Foundations on Christ’s Presence:
– Matthew 28:20: Jesus promised, “lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (age).”
– John 14:1-3: Jesus comforts his disciples, telling them not to be troubled and that He is going to prepare many mansions in His Father’s house. He says, “I will come again” (John 14:3), implying a departure followed by a return.
– The discourse emphasizes the logic that Jesus must leave before He can “come again,” illustrating this with a personal story about a friend leaving and returning.

Jesus’ Invisible Return and Spiritual Presence:
– Jesus is always with believers in spirit (Holy Spirit), but His bodily presence was absent during most of the Gospel age.
– The speaker believes Jesus has now invisibly returned (second presence) and is gathering His elect from the graves and the earth amid global turmoil.
– This invisible presence is likened to Jesus’ first 30 years on earth when His presence was largely unknown.

Signposts of Christ’s Return:
Restoration of Israel’s Land and Rights:
– Reference to Acts 3:21 regarding the times of restitution.
– The return of Israel to its land (since 1878 and especially 1948) is a prophetic fulfillment and sign of Christ’s presence.
Christ’s Kingdom and Reign:
– Distinction between “King of the Earth” (present phase) and “King of the World” (future mediatorial phase) as explained by Brother Russell (Volume 3, Author’s Forward).
– The harvest of the Gospel age is ongoing, gathering the wheat and binding the tares (Matthew 13:30, 41).
– Jesus sends angels to gather His saints out of His kingdom before purging the tares (false Christians).
– Revelation 14:16 and Matthew 13 parallel the final harvest and judgment.
Global Turmoil and Anger of Nations:
– Revelation 11:15 and 18 show nations are angry, not peaceable, when Christ takes control.
– Wars, revolutions, and unrest (including WWI, WWII, over 80 wars) align with these prophecies.
– Joel 3:10,16 and Luke 21:25-26 speak of distress among nations and shaking of the powers of heaven.
Technological and Knowledge Explosion:
– Daniel 12:4 predicts greatly increased knowledge; currently, knowledge doubles rapidly (some estimates say every 24 hours).
– Modern technology such as cell phones, video calls, robotics (Boston Dynamics) exemplify this increase.
Social Changes and Rights Restored:
– Significant advances in women’s rights, civil rights (e.g., 1964 Civil Rights Act), and minority rights over the last 150 years.
– These align with the Jubilee type (Leviticus 25) symbolizing restoration and liberty.
Moral and Spiritual Decline in Society:
– Increasing family breakdown, divorce rates, loss of traditional marriage.
– Society is “burning up” with fervent heat as predicted in 2 Peter 3:10.
– Scandals exposed publicly (e.g., political, religious) fulfill 1 Corinthians 4:5 and Luke 8:17 about hidden things being revealed.
Rise of New Nations:
– From 58 UN members pre-1948 to 193 nations today reflects Luke 21:29-30 “all the trees” shooting forth, indicating the nearness of summer (the time of Christ’s return).
Fear and Perplexity Among People:
– Luke 21:25-26 describes men’s hearts failing for fear due to events on earth.
– Current fears include nuclear war, school shootings, economic instability, global warming.
– Matthew 24:22 warns of a time when no flesh would be saved, highlighting the gravity of current dangers.
Jerusalem and Israel’s Protection:
– Luke 21:24 says Jerusalem will be trodden down until “the times of the Gentiles” are fulfilled.
– Protection of Jerusalem and Israel’s military successes are seen as evidence of Christ’s protection and reign (Ezekiel 20:33; Zechariah 12:2-3).
Scriptural Identification of Christ as Michael the Archangel:
– 1 Thessalonians 4:16 states Jesus comes with the voice of the archangel.
– Jude 9 shows Michael contending with the devil.
– Daniel 12:1: Michael “stands up” as a great prince to deliver Israel, indicating Christ’s active reign.
The Return of the “White Horse” and Supper with the Saints:
– Revelation 19:11 speaks of Christ on a white horse, “faithful and true.”
– Revelation 3:20 promises Jesus will sup (dine) with those who open to Him, symbolizing fellowship and nourishment.
– The “white horse” also symbolizes the pure doctrines restored since Pastor Russell’s day.
The Role of Pastor Russell as a Messenger and Signpost:
– Seen as one of the seven stars, the faithful servant who served the “supper” of truth.
– His works and influence mark the beginning of the second presence.
Warnings and Encouragements:
– Matthew 24:20: Pray that your flight is not in winter (a time of great trial).
– 1 Corinthians 4:5: Do not judge before the Lord comes to reveal hidden things.
– Emphasis on love (John 15:12,17) even with differing views.
– The importance of making one’s calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10).
– Recognition that many may have different understandings but unity in essentials (e.g., ransom doctrine) and charity on non-essentials.

Summary and Final Exhortations:
– The speaker offers 12 major reasons and over 60 scriptures supporting the belief that Christ’s second presence has begun.
– Encouragement to prayerfully study the Scriptures, especially the Jubilee type, Daniel 12, Matthew 13, Revelation 14 and 19.
– Affirmation that Christ’s kingdom is present now, though invisible and secret to most.
– Call to readiness: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” (Revelation 3:20).
– The “bridegroom” is here—inviting all to come forth and meet Him (Matthew 25:6).

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Notable Bible Verses Cited or Referenced:

– Matthew 28:20 — “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
– John 13:1-3; John 14:1-3 — “I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again.”
– Matthew 13:30,41 — Parable of wheat and tares; gathering of saints.
– Revelation 14:16, 19-20 — The harvest and winepress.
– Revelation 11:15, 18 — Christ’s kingdom and nations’ anger.
– Joel 3:10,16; Luke 21:25-26 — Signs of the times.
– Daniel 12:1-4 — Michael standing up; increase of knowledge.
– 1 Thessalonians 4:16 — The Lord descends with the voice of the archangel.
– Jude 9 — Michael contends with the devil.
– Revelation 19:11-16 — Christ on white horse, faithful and true.
– Revelation 3:20 — Jesus knocking and sup with the saints.
– Luke 21:29-30 — Parable of the fig tree and new nations.
– 2 Peter 3:10 — Day of the Lord as a thief; melting elements.
– 1 Corinthians 4:5 — Judge nothing before the Lord comes to reveal.
– Matthew 24:20,22 — Warning about the winter and times of trouble.
– Ezekiel 20:33 — God will rule with a mighty hand and outstretched arm.
– Isaiah 52:7; Psalms 97, 98:1 — God’s reign and power.
– Revelation 20:11 — Heaven and earth flee away before the great white throne.
– John 1:26 — “Coming” better translated as “presence” (Rotherham Bible).
– Matthew 5:18 — The importance of typology fulfillment.

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This discourse presents a comprehensive scriptural case arguing that Christ’s invisible second presence began in 1874, is ongoing, and manifests through numerous prophetic signposts including Israel’s restoration, global turmoil, moral and social upheaval, knowledge explosion, and spiritual harvest. Believers are exhorted to be vigilant, loving, and steadfast in their faith as the kingdom of God advances unseen but powerfully.

Transcript

Matthew 28:20 I’m going to go kind of fast because there’s a lot of material, okay? So try to keep up if you can. Matthew 28:20 and our Lord said, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world or age. Jesus Christ our Savior said something else of great import. In John 13:1:3, he said, Let not your heart be troubled.

Ye believe in God, believe also in me. Jesus then spoke about the many mansions in his Father’s house. He said, in my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, would have told you then. He apparently seems to suggest that this is where he was headed, to these heavenly mansions to prepare a place for his disciples for all of you.

He continues, I go to prepare a place for you. Now. To go implies that he would leave. Leave where? Leave the place from which he was right?

Namely, the place on earth where he was during that time. Verse 3. Now notice these things very carefully. John 14:3 and if I go to his heavenly mansions and prepare a place for you, notice I will what?

I will come again. But Jesus said he would always be with us, didn’t he? You cannot come again if you’ve never left. Correct? A brother in Clearwater struggled with this question many years ago.

Let us illustrate. I’m going to take a couple of dear friends of mine, Sister Jewel and Brother Jonathan Benson. Let’s say Brother Jonathan says to Sister Jewel one Saturday, honey, I’m going to go. But then he appears to stay around the house all day, and Sister Jewel says, I thought you were going to go.

He says, I came again. But she says, you never left. How could you come again if you’ve never left? Clearly, logic tells us that Jonathan would have to go be somewhere before he could say that he’s come again. Right?

Jonathan says, I have a surprise for you. I left while you were busy doing things, and I’ve come again. I’ve returned to take you to a brand new home. It’s a mansion and I know you’ll love it.

Such, I believe, is similar to what Jesus was saying to his disciples. John 13:3 basically says, I will receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. Yes, Jesus was always. He’s always been with us in spirit, with the Holy Spirit, that he left with us to strengthen, to comfort, to bless us. As you might say to someone, even at death or parting on a very long trip, I’ll always be with you.

Right? Matthew 28:20. Throughout most of the Gospel age, Jesus would be absent in body yet present in spirit. Dear brethren in Christ, I believe Jesus has returned. He left and he’s now come again to receive us.

He has gathered his faithful elect from their graves after 1800 years or more and presently is gathering the rest of his select bride from the earth while the world is completely falling apart in ruin. Today we will give you at least 12 signposts of our Lord’s return with over 60 scriptures, not 1660 scriptures. I believe earth’s new king Christ Jesus is secretly present and invisible to all human awareness. Similar to how he came when for 30 years virtually nobody totally knew about Christ’s presence, right? It was kind of a secret presence, especially at first evidences.

Well, today we see the land promised to Abraham and his natural seed, right? The miracle of Israel itself, the land of Canaan and Israel returning back to them, restored back to much of their prophetic land rights all during the promised times of restitution or restoration that was inseparably linked scripturally in Acts 3, 21. You’re all familiar with that, with the invisible return of that second or secret advent of our Lord Jesus that is one of the many signposts of our Lord’s second presence. Wouldn’t you agree with me that we have already seen some evidence of land rights and restoration to Israel, especially in recent decades, but I think actually since 1878, when for the first time in millennia Israel could actually own a piece of their own land that God had promised and will. The full generation of individuals that witnesses the rebirth of Israel in 1948.

And some of you were born before then, right? And your friends who were born before then, will all of these completely pass away before Jesus takes over as King of the world in the mediatorial phase of his kingdom established now, mind you. King of the earth now, we believe, and King of the world later. There’s a difference. His members must be completed before Jesus will officially take king his position as King of the world.

See Volume 3. Write this down. Volume 3 Authors Forward Page III where Brother Russell explains the difference between King of the World and King of the Earth. Will one of the kingdom phases already be in process while the turmoil and trouble is collapsing the nations and Christ is gathering out the rest of his saints on this side of the veil with his holy angels. What do you think?

Has the harvest of the Gospel age begun? What do you think, Brother Michael?

And isn’t it still going on? Well, let’s see what the scriptures actually say. Talking about the gathering of the wheat and the burning of the tares in Matthew 13:30 and 41. I’d really like you all to turn to this in your Bibles if you’re not already or you’re your handheld cell phones, if they got scriptures on it. Matthew 13:30.

This is really important.

So like the question is for some, is Jesus a king right now? Is Jesus a king right now? Let’s see what the scriptures say in our, in a quote from our Lord Jesus in Matthew 13:30 and 41 and verse 30 where it starts out, I believe in verse 30. Let both grow together until the harvest, and we’re in the harvest, right Brother Michael?

And in the time of the harvest. So it’s talking about the time of the harvest, correct? Are we not in the harvest again, yes or no? Yes. I think most of us would say yes.

And you did. Now verse 41. Read it, look at it carefully. Come on. The Son of man shall send forth his angels and notice they shall gather out of his kingdom.

Where? Out of his kingdom? Whose kingdom?

All things that offend in them which do iniquity. So we can clearly see from scripture, not volume, reprint or anything else from scripture that some phase of Christ’s second presence in some stage of his kingdom has begun when the saints are still being gathered on this side of the veil. Isn’t that what the scripture says? That our returned Lord and his angels will gather out of his kingdom the remainder of the saints, and, and verse 30 says that this will all take place basically before he burns the tares in bundles.

I suggest they’re denominational bundles. Maybe we’ve seen individual burnings, but I believe we haven’t seen them yet. Bundled completely up together in large denominational bundles for self preservation purposes. So the scripture says that we are in the kingdom in some way to me, and obviously Christ is present when that takes place, and what about the burning of the tares in bundles?

But please read it yourself. Gather ye together first the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them in the future, but not yet. But gather the wheat into my barn, then you can light the match. Make sense? Two concurrent events.

But to me it’s like Jesus was saying, I don’t want any of my precious wheat class burned in that fire like the others are. Know that burning of the collective tares will be after the church is completed. The way the scripture reads, read it yourself in Revelation 14:16, I suggest in the dark night in the winter Jesus warned us about in Matthew 24:20, the winter, I believe, of the seventh 1000 year Sabbath day, the winter just before us See also John 9:4 about the dark night when truth dissemination could be totally thwarted in the United States. It even points out the country. Volume 2, page 261 to 265 Volume 2, page 261 to 265 Dear friends, expect the unexpected.

Expect the unexpected. Just like the unexpected happened a few years ago. Remember on January 6th. Remember that in Washington. That was totally unexpected.

I would have never thought that could have happened in the capital of the White of the White House. One object of our Lord’s return is to reap the earth of his precious saints and then burn, or in this case, destroy the vine of the earth. The terre class of imitation Christians in the treading of the winepress, which is the final feature of the harvest according to Scriptures. The treading of the winepress is the final feature according to the Scriptures. Take a look at it yourself.

Read Revelation 14:16, 19:20. When the earth is reaped, then it takes place. It’s very clear. His object is to reap the earth of us, of the the virgin class, the wise virgins, to reap us and, and then he lights the match to that wheat field.

They’re parallel passages in Matthew 13, in a sense. So reread it for yourself. Revelation 14:16, 19 to 20. You have to go over this after maybe review and listen to the tape again and look at it and pray about it. That’s what Jesus is saying if you study and read it carefully.

In both Matthew 13 and Revelation 14, in the parable of the nobleman, Jesus returns as a king. Remember, he comes back with a kingdom, and a kingdom has a what?

A king. A kingdom has a king, right? That’s Christ. Prove it yourself. That’s what Luke 19:15 is basically saying the way I read it.

2. Testimony of Scripture the Scriptures don’t call him a general. I don’t know any place. They do correct me if I’m wrong. So if you think differently, I appreciate your willingness to at least listen and prayerfully consider the points and scriptural validation we try to present in our studies.

I also think that sometimes we could be dead right on the understanding, but dead wrong in the spirit or tone of with which we present it. So if I get a little enthusiastic, don’t misunderstand me. I’m just passionate about what I believe. Okay? Perhaps this has happened too often in the past.

So I. I beg your indulgence if you have a different view than I present to you today. Okay. However, there may be a few that even reconsider their point of view. If they see something new or different presented, perhaps already they have that they have never truly considered before. But our love for you will not change.

John 15:12 and 17. That’s one of the four tests of the harvest. Remember love of the brethren, August 9th manna, which we recently had. Now, that being said, what do you think, dear friends? Are the nations happy when Christ takes control of things?

Big smile face, right? As earth’s new king, do you think Christ takes charge as king only when there’s a peaceable kingdom we’ll be here. Or do you think the world and nominal church leadership will be really happy when that takes place? Again, don’t take it from me. Take it from the Scriptures.

Turn to and read this to yourself. Revelation 11:15 and Revelation 18. Please turn to it, will you? Revelation 11:15 and 18. Read those silently to yourself and put two and two together as you read those, Christ becomes a king as the right hand of jehovah.

Read Psalms 97 and then don’t forget to read 98. 1 because that it’s saying that’s who’s doing it. In 98. 1. People don’t read that.

It’s the right arm of Jehovah that’s doing all this. So as the right hand of Jehovah, like in verse 15, and the result is what? What’s the result when this happens in verse 15? Well, look at 18.

The nations are peaceable, right? When this happens? No way. Take a look at the results of the scriptures in Revelation 11:18. It says the nations are what?

They’re angry. They’re not happy, not peaceable like they are today. Right? Very angry, and remember all things.

You got to remember this in First Corinthians 8, 6. All things are what of the Father and by the Son. That’s the way it works. All things are of the Father and by the Son. Let the Scripture itself tell you what’s going on in the proper understandings.

The Scriptures are their own defense. The Scriptures are their own defense, especially when plainly stated. So let’s plug back in. So how would you compare the global angriness of the nations today to, say, 150 years ago? Anything changed, huge global changes, right?

Why is that? I submit because Christ is bulldozing down the present order of things. Oh, there were wars before, but not like we’ve had in the past century, ubiquitous or worldwide changes. We’ve had major world wars to prove it. World War I, they called it the Great War.

They didn’t call it World War I. It was the Great War, World War II were no small events, and over 80 wars, from what I understand, follow the weak nations. Small ones like North Korea are saying, like in the prophecies, I am strong. Look at the Ukraine fighting Russia.

Joel 3, 10, 16. Do you see signposts of our Lord’s presence and much, much more? I sure do. I don’t mean to come across condescending any of my dear friends, Christian friends, who cannot see our Lord’s return. We cannot just point to Jesus now physically and say, hey, look, he’s over there.

I think that’s why the disciples asked Jesus in Matthew 23:3, what shall be the sign, the sign singular of thy coming or presence? They asked two questions, but one about the sign. What shall be the sign of thy coming or presence? Jesus didn’t say, well, you just got to look for me. No.

Jesus even told John the Baptist to notice the scriptural evidences of his presence. He didn’t say, just have John the Baptist come to me and I’ll say, yes, I’m the Messiah. No, he said to John, go look at the scriptural evidences and see what I’ve been doing. That’s where the proof is. That’s what we have to do as well.

You have to search out and know what to look for in the Scriptures.

It makes a huge difference. It makes a huge difference. If I were to tell you, for example, Brother Jerry is coming to the convention rather than Brother Jerry is present. Right? There’s a difference.

John 1:26. I’m going back here a second. Let me, let me skip back. Professor Rotherham showed very clearly in the back of Rotherham Bible. If you look at it, that the word coming should have been better translated as presence in dozens of instances.

It makes a huge difference, doesn’t it? If I were to tell you, like I said, if Brother Jerry were coming to the convention, that’s different than if I say Brother Jerry is present. Big difference. John 1:26. So too the disciples were asking Jesus to let them know just how they could tell when he was present and not when, when he was, say, on his way.

Right? Look at page 271 in the comments in the back of the Rotherham Bible, page 271. You’ll find it very fascinating if you already haven’t looked at it today. I just want to really share with you the many reasons I’ve been sharing this understanding of Christ’s second presence with others in discourses for over 4, 44 years. This discourse is only part one of many signposts.

Part one. There’s going to be three part signpost discourses. This is part one of many signposts and reasons why I have come to believe that Christ has actually returned. Hopefully it will cement that understanding even more with most of you and possibly even give enough reasoning to convince some that struggle with this doctrine to continue prayerfully researching the evidence that supports that understanding. For example, do you see any huge increase in rights returned to women today?

How many have seen huge rights? I’m not saying it’s perfect, but how many Say there’s a lot more rights than your great grandmother had, right? That’s a big change. That’s a signpost. Women’s rights.

How about black rights and other minority groups over the past 150 years? The Great Civil Rights act of 1964, right? I mean lots and lots of rights that have come back to people, to minorities.

Doesn’t that all go along with the type of the Jubilee shown in Leviticus 25 and the beautiful explanation of that type in the book called the Time Is at Hand? Have you all read it lately? Make a note to reread the chapter in volume two, page 173 volume two, page 173. Now listen. Listen carefully.

No shadowy type can pass away without a commencement, a beginning anotype. If you can’t show where the commencement of an anotype began like the jubilee type, you are in a theological dilemma because otherwise you Jesus did not tell the truth in Matthew 5. 18. So one needs to prove those anatypical cycles began or you have a huge problem explaining what Jesus said in Matthew 5. 18 in that type or any type.

If that type or any type has passed away without a fulfillment or commencement of the anatite beginning, you got a big problem. Jesus said, recall heaven and earth would pass, would have to pass away first. In other words, Jesus was saying it was impossible for that to happen. If the jubilee type, and it was a very important type, passed away without an atypical cycles beginning, then Jesus didn’t know what he was saying, and I don’t think anybody here would want to say that.

Would you? I personally believe that the Jubilee type is your very best proof of our lord returning in 1874 if you study it. But perhaps you need to make a fresh study of it. Maybe it’s been 25, 30, 40 years since you’ve read it. I don’t know.

Prayerfully reason it out. This will be covered more in signpost 2. Otherwise, how are you going to nail that date down? When you tell people or some brethren that you believe Christ returned in 1874. If I were to ask you all you believe when you believe Christ returned, how many would say 1874?

A lot of you right? Now somebody says, well, why do you believe that? Well, and then you can start giving evidences, right? How do you believe that? How do you show the date?

That’s the question. That’s the onus on you, right? How do you believe was 1874? More on that later. Again, I suggest the Jubilee is actually your best proof.

It’s your best proof, so don’t sweep the privilege of making a fresh reading of the Jubilee chapter with your Take your paper and pencil and get ready to do a few calculations. I know, I know some of you find math hard, I know that. But just give it a try. On the back of your handout you’ll see some interesting diagrams that point to several factual methods of calculating our Lord’s return from the great prophetic Jubilee type. Email me and I will send you some helpful information.

Larrydmclellanmail.com the return of our Lord, along with many other important doctrinal understandings like types and anatypes, have been covered up for over long, long centuries since our Lord’s day, and the great Jubilee type is now available for us to understand. Brethren, in the Book of Revelation, chapter 6, verses 2 to 8 Revelation 6:2, 8 we see four horses representing doctrines and truths that decline over the centuries. However, where we started with a white horse at the first advent and declined to an anemic or pale horse in subsequent centuries of the nominal systems resting the Scriptures, we notice that in Revelation 19 write this down, 19:11 16 it states in verse 11 and I saw heaven open and and behold, a what? A white horse.

Oh, a white horse, and he that sat upon him was called faithful and true, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. Why do we have a white horse? Because another signpost of our Lord’s return was that he would provide supper for his saints. He tells us that when he returns in his present, like right now, this is in Revelation 3:20 Revelation 3:20 yes, supper.

Listen. Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock.

If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him and what I will sup with him and he with me. When Jesus says he will sup with the saints, what is he saying? He he’s saying that he will provide supper. Sup, supper, get it? And boy does he.

And it’s not designed to be a cafeteria style meal where you just pick and choose what you Eat, brethren. No bologna sandwiches either. It’s a lobster and filet mignon deal. All right. Lots of meat.

New American Standard Bible I will come in to him and will dine and use the word dine and dine with him. That’s in the Greek, the G. 1172, and he with me. Now, I don’t have to tell you of the explosion of truth doctrines that we have received since the Pastor’s Day, the 7th, we believe messenger of the church, the white horse of pure doctrines has returned. Revelation 19:11.

We have all been given a smorgasbord of truth literature from the pen of our pastor that fulfills the signpost of the Lord’s return. At least to me. In fact, I submit that if you read Matthew 24 carefully, you will see a thread that is sown from the very first question that the disciples asked about getting a sign regarding Christ’s return. Now Jesus gave a lot of admonitions to be patient and what to wait for, and then he finally answers the question that actually might have related to one particular sign we should look for when he returned.

Notice, that’s all that was asked for. Not many signs. They didn’t ask for many signs. Just one sign. Just one.

We cite for you Luke 11:30 and Isaiah 18 for this. Did you know that a sign can be a person in Scripture? A sign can be a person. You think Jesus knew that when he said this? Write it down.

Luke 11:30, Jonas was a sign, and write down Isaiah 8:18. Now in Matthew 24, 3 and 30, take a look at that. I believe. I personally believe that one sign, that one sign was observed in the ecclesiastical heavens.

And a call went out in the nominal heavens to gather his elect from one end of heaven to another. Which is exactly what happened in very large numbers during the days of the ibsa, and since I believe this same sign, namely the pastor, would also send out a message to those of the fig tree nation of Israel in Matthew 24:32. A message to the Jews of returning to your land. Brother Russell was actually the first Christian minister to do just that.

Now we got a lot of them talking about it, right? Another signpost of our Lord’s return. As many of you know, Brother Russell wrote a Yiddish periodical called Jewish Hopes. Write that down. He was writing to the Jews.

While he was giving us all those reprints and volume pages we read, he was writing to the Jews, also Jewish hopes to the Jews, while concurrently gathering the elect from one end of heaven of the nominal heavens to another with photo drama presentations and public meetings where thousands attended, sometimes up to 4,000 or more in the newspapers. It was the same way he had in up to 4,000 newspapers at one time. Every Sunday morning, you would see a picture of Brother Russell on the front page. I live with a man who walked and talked with him as a photodrama. Bernie Furst.

Okay, Bernard First. I lived with him for three months. He said when he walked down the streets, people would turn around and look at Brother Russell. There was something different about him. But he said he was the most humble man he ever met.

He was very humble. Aren’t you glad to hear that? Not like others are, like, you know, like, follow me and, you know, I’m important. He was a very humble man. They had to twist his arms just to put his name on the volumes.

That’s the kind of man you’re reading about when you study.

Who was this man? Well, we all know, right? I submit that he was one of the seven messengers to the church. I believe one of the seven stars in the right hand of the returned lord. In Revelation 1:16, the man with a writer’s inkhorn.

In Ezekiel 9:11, he showed us that Jesus would return invisibly because Jesus simply said, the world seeth me. What? No more period. Simple. John 4:19.

No man would ever see Jesus again as he was a man, but rather as he is now, a divine being. However, no one can actually safely look at a glorified divine being, right? Proof. Acts 9:3, Acts 9:3 and verse 8, if you’re paying careful attention. That’s what the apostle John told us in 1st John 3:2, 1st John 3:2 as well.

Read it carefully. It says that we will see Jesus as he is, not as he was. Read it carefully. We will see him as he is, not as he was. As our church friends out there are looking for the same way that we do not know the way we will be either right or the way we will look when resurrected.

So it couldn’t be as a man. Jesus himself wouldn’t return as a man either. Read verses one and two of that carefully. So therefore, again, I believe another signpost was Brother Russell himself, who was the authorized waiter of the meal served to us by the one who cooked it and provided supper for us who wanted to dine with us, namely, our returned Lord Jesus.

Now, if the returned Lord is present, so also is the waiter, the wise and faithful servant, right? If that waiter has been present, then so is the returned Lord present also, and the church is now back on that white horse we spoke about. How was supper? Brethren, how was supper?

Are you enjoying the dining experience from your return? Lord, this servant who has used. Was used to serve supper, was a dear pastor who would be a faithful and wise servant that Jesus would make ruler over some of his household. Right? Oh, there we go.

Over all. Over all of his household to give them what? Meat. Meat. Not milk.

Meat in due season. Luke 17:36. Now, I don’t know about you, but I find that studies in the Scriptures and hundreds and hundreds of other pages in the reprints provide a great deal of meat, don’t you think? Again, another signpost in our Lord’s return, namely Brother Russell himself. Now, several signposts are also given to us in Daniel 12, also proof to me of Christ’s invisible return.

Here’s another important understanding. Brother Russell taught us that Michael in the Scriptures was actually Christ Jesus. People have made Michael ought to be other things and scoff at this understanding. But Michael, which means who as like God and to me, is clearly shown to be Jesus. In the context of 1st Thessalonians 4:16, where it says, for the Lord himself should descend from heaven with a shout, being Jesus, of course, with the voice of the archangel.

What did he have? Jesus had the voice of the archangel. Why? Why? Because he was the archangel.

Right, and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first. In other words, the first resurrection. Now look at Jude 9, where it says in Jude 1:9, yet Michael the Archangel, when contending with the devil, he disputed about the body of Moses. Durst not bring him against him a railing accusation, but said the Lord rebuke thee.

We talked about that the other day. Now stay with me and do some deductive reasoning. So if Michael is the archangel and Jesus returns with the voice of the archangel, therefore Jesus must be the archangel, right? I have the voice of brother Larry because I am brother Larry. Beside, when we go to Daniel 12, we see the Archangel Michael in verse one stands up, who notice, is a great prince and delivers Daniel’s people, Israel, amongst other things.

You ever wonder about what that word means? Stands up? There’s. There’s importance in it. He stands up.

Now look at your, and you all are familiar with this. In Daniel 12, 1 4, I want you to look up who this great prince is that delivers Daniel’s people, and that’s what. That’s what Daniel was mainly interested in.

When are you going to deliver my people? Right. Well, when the Lord returns, when Michael stands up, that’s when it happens. Look at verses one to four. Now look up Also, and write this down.

Carl Hagen showed this to me years ago, decades ago, in. In 1st Chronicles 5:2. 1st Chronicles 5:2, and if you have a margin, take a look at it. In the margin we’re in 1st Chronicles 5.

2. It says that. That. That the chief ruler or prince. The chief ruler or prince shall prevail and connect.

That whom we have in Revelation 5, right. Is the lion of the tribe of Judah in Judah 5. 5. Sorry. In.

In the. In the fifth of Revelation 5. Okay, so the great prince of peace, Jesus Christ the great. The great prince of peace, Jesus Christ himself is present, right? There’s a prince of darkness, and there’s a prince of light.

And Jesus is the great prince of peace, the prince of light, right? As also in Isaiah 9. 6. Therefore, it is Christ Jesus himself that is present and standing up during the signposts that are given in Daniel 12:1 4. The signposts spoken there prove his presence.

Consequently, again, when we see the things mentioned in Daniel 12, the signpost as we would call them, we see how, when Jesus stands up and just look how the term stands up is used in for every king in chapter 11. Take a look at it. If you’ve never done that, it’s intriguing. He’s reigning in every time. If you look at that way that stand up is used.

It’s in chapter 11, whenever it says stands up that king is reigning in some way. As a king. We notice more signposts of Jesus return. Please see verses 2, 3, 20. Write it down, 2, 3 and 20 to prove that point.

In Daniel 11, namely Daniel’s people, Israel will be returned when Jesus returns. Ezekiel 20:33 says, As I live, saith the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you. The word rule in the Hebrew is the word rain. I will reign over you. I believe that reign is presently operative, brethren, at least the first phases of his reign.

Isaiah 52, 7. The feet are supposed to be declaring this, Ezekiel 21:27, that God, through Christ, his representative, is reigning in this trouble. Phase over Israel is the understanding that many of us have. We know Jesus has returned when we see Israel return to their land. Do you see that?

Anybody here think that’s happened? That Israel has returned to their land? How many think Israel’s returned to your land? They sure have. You just got to watch the news, right?

Is there any evidence of a lot of Israel being delivered to the land over the past hundred years? Daniel12 One huge signpost as we Mentioned before. A huge signpost of Christ’s return. How about another signpost in Daniel? How about a time of trouble?

Since there never was, since there was a nation. Political shootings and burnings of dignity’s homes, and more and more and more this is happening. Anarchy in the streets where road rage is a regular occurrence anymore. School shootings which I never saw happen before the 1960s.

Did you? School shootings. Wars around the globe and global markets ready to crash in Tsunami waves of panic. Verse 2. It’s not just isolated trouble, but global trouble.

Global trouble. There’s a difference. A global time of trouble. Or how about another signpost in verse 4 of Daniel? Many people running to and fro.

How about over 600 million cars and trucks running to and fro around the globe constantly, even in everyday lives. It’s just go, go, go. Right with many families.

Thank you, Sister Jewel, for that one. Signposts of Michael’s or Jesus return to the earth’s atmosphere. More reasons I believe in Christ’s return. Did I mention the signpost of knowledge being increased at an expense exponential rate? Before our Lord’s return, it’s estimated that knowledge doubled every day 100 years.

Some sources say that knowledge is doubling now. Not every 100 years, but about every year or 13 months. Knowledge shall be increased when Michael stands up. Isn’t that what we were told would happen in Daniel 12:4, when Christ would return? Knowledge is without a doubt being increased with incredible speed.

IBM. IBM has theorized that in the near future. Listen to this. Knowledge could double every 24 hours. Wow.

Are you kidding me? Incredible signposts of our Lord’s return. Speed of knowledge and information that we keep moving forward at breakneck speeds. Consider the signpost of knowledge right here. Right?

You all have one, right? A cell phone in my hand. Can you call Susan Charlton on the other side of the world in Australia? And not just call her, but actually zoom in and see her talking with you. Can you do that in color on your computer screen?

Like a zoom meeting, Right? And take a look at and consider what places like Boston Dynamics is doing with lifelike skill robots. So you haven’t seen anything yet. Look up Boston Robotics and take a look at things like Maximus and other robotics. It’s incredible.

They’ll be pouring water on your plants soon and doing your dishes. I’m not kidding. They even look like us. Some can’t even tell the difference. It’s moving faster than what you think.

Yeah, but anybody can tell that there’s been a knowledge explosion the world. Why is that coincidence. It’s happened all along. We’ve always had. No, no.

You look at it on a graph and the knowledge goes like this. Until Christ returned, and it goes like this. Evidences of our Lord’s return. All signposts.

Knowledge is being dramatically increased. I believe this is a powerful evidence of Christ’s return, and if you thought much about another signpost. How about the heavens? The mainstream churches we mentioned earlier, they’re being shaken up by abortion issues, immigration issues, gay rights issues, priests in the Catholic Church system molesting thousands of innocent children, setting on the fires of eternal controversy.

Amongst the huge changes like the hellfire doctrine recently rejected in the Episcopal Church in the Church of England. Can you imagine? After centuries they have thrown out the literal flames of hell and now concede that hell is eternal death in the rejection of God. Wow again, that’s interesting. This is a bonfire of controversy amongst many Christians today.

More signposts of our Lord’s return. Second Peter 3:10 says, but the day of the Lord. What’s a day? It says in a few verses earlier, but the day of the Lord. Verse eight, the thousand years.

Don’t be ignorant of that. That’s what Peter was telling us. But the day of the Lord will what will come as a thief in the night, and the elements that is of society, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.

A great noise is happening, brother, in the earth, and the works that are therein shall be burned up. In 1947, 76% of Americans were church members. Close to 30% of those members have left. Anybody here feel the heat of society itself burning up?

Especially the core of society, the family unit. Have you seen any changes since the 1950s? Nothing big has happened to the family life over the last 50 years, right? Or more. Families have pretty much been the way they’ve always been, haven’t they?

Things just continue as they’ve always been? I don’t think so. We don’t have any more leave of the beaver things that we had going on or our favorite father we saw back, and that world has changed a lot, right? It has changed tremendously.

Families are breaking up. The core of society is breaking up in an incredible way. Divorces and not seeing the need of marriage today in society I believe is burning up our society and causing such a heat of family atomization. The society will soon explode into flames with the kindling temperature turmoil caused and we will perhaps see the generation of the demise of marriage. The core of the family unit is possibly in some of your lifetimes going to fade away after thousands of years, this God arranged institution almost gone.

And the elements of the earth shall burn with a fervent heat signposts of the time we were living in. But now let’s look at where it says that heaven and earth actually flee away from somebody on a great white throne in Revelation 20, verse 11, Revelation 20, verse 11. Can anybody guess who they flee away from? Could it be because Jesus has returned and the day of the Lord is here? Connect the dots now prayerfully with second Peter 3:10.

Connect those two together. Think about it, weigh it, pray about it, and compare the time periods and the events continuing on. It says in Luke 21:25-26, and there shall be signs in the sun and in the moon, and in the stars and upon the earth. Distress of nations with perplexity and waves roaring men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

More signposts of our Lord’s return. The elements of society are quickly melting all around us. Do you sense the fear of people today in what’s coming? Do you feel that? And they should be.

And they should be. When you look at, and they should be, I should say, when they look at Matthew 24:22, Matthew 24:22. Another signpost is that the day of Jesus presence is that there would be the potential of no flesh being saved. No flesh being saved.

Matthew 24:22. Is that possible today with nuclear warheads in the hands of the wrong people? Still another signpost. It’s all in that context of Matthew 24. Incidentally, the word come back in second Peter 3:10 that we read earlier.

Behold, the day of the Lord will come as a thief at night is the Greek word hiko. Now that’s important. It means be present. Hiko means be present. Now listen carefully.

Jesus not only comes unawares before others know it, but important point here, he is also present during a time period when people are unawares. That’s why the Greek word hyko is so significant. Notice Jesus is on the scene and his presence is in the world, and most everybody has no idea of his presence, and his saints still remain on the scene.

Again, not only did Jesus coming take people unaware in 1874, but Jesus presence, meaning he’s on the scene, is taking them unawares. Also over a period of time, different phases of his return, right of his presence. We got. We got paracea, epiphania and apicalupsis. Revelation 3.

3 also says in The Greek I will be present as a thief. It also uses that word hico There. Look at that. Revelation 3. 3 HICO is important to understand.

Check it out. Not just come or arrive as a thief, but be present as a thief. A thief who is in your house present and doing things during a time that you are not awake enough to know what’s going on. Is that possible? Actually engage and you are ignorant of the fact that’s what it’s talking about.

Now going back to Israel again a little bit. Would another signpost be that Jerusalem would not be trodden down again? Luke 21:24 and they shall fall by the edge of the sword and shall be led away captive into all nations, and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Has anybody been trotting down Jerusalem lately?

No. Ask Alaska. Iranian Revolutionary Forces and Mr. Khomeini in Iran in the present Israeli Iran conflict where Israel fighter jets took out the Iran irons Iran’s forces and had complete control of the airspace in Iran and Israel’s Dome, Iron Dome and David’s sling were very powerful defense weapons that took down most all of those Iranian missiles. Then their nuclear capabilities. What happened to them?

Destroyed. They were eliminated. I believe you was their true king. I believe that it was their true king that was protecting her for the most part. Some miracles were evident.

It was a miracle they’re still around. But perhaps according to her growing faith, maybe it’s proportional. As that increases, more will be seen more and more evidence of our Lord’s evident invisible return. We know that when the overturning of the typical kingdom of Israel came to an end, his Gentile dominion, for example in 606, 607 that period to 1914 that the rightful king could then assume universal dominion over the earth, namely 1914. It is my belief that is when Jesus got the crown promised in Ezekiel 21:27, the fifth universal empire was given to him.

There was. There’s been no earthly kingdom of God, no king of Israel ruling from Zedekiah to 1914. However, I believe he is king of Israel today. They don’t know it yet, but as I said earlier, the Scriptures appear to indicate that in Ezekiel 20:33. Take a look at it.

Ezekiel 20:33 As I live, saith the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand and with a stretched out arm and with fury poured out, will I rule over you? Like we spoke before, will I reign over you again? The word here rule is the Word reign in the Hebrew. I believe Christ took a lot of Crowns in 1914. If you look at perhaps another phase of his return in kingly reign, just consider Revelation 19:12.

All those bona fide European crowns from 19:14 were right on his head, I believe, and boy, was there. Has there ever been worldwide trouble ever since 1914? I don’t know how many would agree, but there’s been a lot of trouble since. I think Eisenhower is one who said, you know, the world that was before 1914 is not the world since 1914.

I think if you look it up, Eisenhower’s father or grandfather was an elder in the IBSA. Also Revelation 11:18. As we mentioned before, Jesus presence and time when he would be present was was in the days of those kings. Remember, we suggest monorical kings, the same kind of kings that had been reigning over Israel for that long period of time. Christ set up his kingdom in the days of those kings.

Real kings. Real kings, not puppet kings. Monorical kings. Christ began to set up his kingdom in the days of those kings, in the summer, before the winter, while they were still around. Daniel 2, 35 and 44.

Where are those kings now? Tell me. Gone. They’re gone. More signpost of our Lord’s return.

I believe that if Christ was to be present in setting up his kingdom in the days of those kings, those minorical kings, and they’re gone, then that kingdom has already begun to be set up and Jesus is definitely present to me. These are more signposts of evidence of Christ’s return. I believe that Jesus has now assumed his rightful power and is presently destroying the nations, working gradually with Israel and Jerusalem and their king also to undo all that afflict Israel and bring their hearts back to Jehovah. Zephaniah 3, 15, 19, also Amos 9, 14 and 15, as well as Zechariah 12, 2, 3. Nobody will ever push Jerusalem into the ocean or wipe it off the face of the map again, ever.

The Jewish state in Jerusalem is forever for the God of Israel in his right arm. The King Jesus, who we believe is gradually bringing prophecy to come to pass, is in charge, and now another definite sign that you can see with your own eyes as the news media records history in the making. Signposts of our Lord’s return. Yes, not only behold a fig tree Israel.

A miraculous sign of our return, Lord, but look at Luke 21:29. Luke 21:29 tells us to look for more nations that rise up during our Lord’s return. An explosion of new nations. Another signpost Luke 21:29 30, and he spake to them a parable.

Jesus said, behold the fig tree and all the trees. When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand, or ready to squeeze the throttle of heat, so to speak. Evidence. Before 1948, listen carefully. There were 58 members of the United Nations.

5, 8, 58. Today there are at least 193 nations. 193. An explosion of new nations. Many more nations are symbolic trees.

That gives to me still more evidence that the Lord Jesus has returned as he told us, and he gave us evidence of as prophesied. Behold the fig tree, and what all the trees. We had an explosion of them.

All the nations when he returns. We were also told in the Scriptures that one of the signposts of Christ’s secret invisible return would be that there would be great fear in the world. What do you think? Does anyone here think that we are a fear filled world? We mentioned that before.

Is there any doubt? Another simple proof to me that Christ’s secret presence can be found. Take a look. We’ll take a look in a minute. Here at First Corinthians 4, 5.

Luke 21:26 though, tells us that men’s hearts will be failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. For the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Remember we talked about that. Failing them for fear. That’s fear about the conflict in the Middle east, right?

Fear about the inflation that’s going on. Fear about the collapse of the present banking system as we know it. Fear about global warming. Fear about the danger of your little child or grandchild going to school without a bulletproof backpack. Afraid of getting shot?

Wow. Fear. How about fear of nuclear annihilation? That’s a big fear. In 75 years of my life I’ve never seen fear like this on a magnitude of this proportion.

Another signpost. People are at a loss for answers. Men’s hearts failing them for fear upon the earth. Distress of nations with perplexity. In the Greek this word is aporia generally refers to a state of being at a loss or in a quandary, experiencing great distress or perplexity.

Do you think this is the way many or most of the government leaders of the nations feel today? Perplexed. Luke 21:25 Brother and I submit these are signposts of the bulldozing activities of our returned king, clearing and leveling out the old order so we can better erect the superstructure of the incoming kingdom bulldozing down the present social, political, religious and economic structures, and the four winds are building speed. Soon it will become a whirlwind.

And believe me, you haven’t seen anything yet. I don’t want to scare you, but pray that your flight be not in the winter. Matthew 24:20 I believe that the summertime of favor ends when the church is complete. Then winter begins. Another reason to make your calling election sure, right to press harder for the mark of the prize.

You do not want to be here when the wintertime escalates. Press harder, brethren, press harder. Dear friends, First Corinthians 4, 5 says, and a lot of times this is overlooked. Therefore judge nothing before the time until the LORD come. Notice until the Lord come, who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.

And then they shall every man have, and then shall every man have. Praise of God. To me this is saying that first there is a time when the righteous judge would bring to light the hidden things of darkness. Is that happening today?

So it appears to me from this scripture that when we see people having a hard time hiding anything, covering up anything from the bar of public attention and from this little thing right here, the cell phone in my hand and public judgment, right? Good luck. For because of Christ’s return he will be exposing truth like never before. Think about the scandals from the past hundred years like Richard Nixon and Watergate, Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Was that hid?

How about Donald Trump and his hush money payments? Was that hid? How about Cardinal Bernard Law and the Archbishop of Boston who tried to conceal or cover up the unthinkable child molestation going on by lustful sinful priests of the Catholic Church, and now I understand that former President Obama is under the public lens of scrutiny for possible election wrongs of misleading the public with false accusations. Nothing, nothing can apparently be hid from the news media.

First Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time until what the Lord come. Until what the Lord come. Until the Lord come who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the counsels of the hearts. Does this all happen at once or has it happened over a period of time like during the presence of someone? Scandals from the PTL Club and Jim Baker, the televangelist, Jimmy Swaggart, sexual sins and even revealing the incredible prophets, mansions and expansive jest ownership of prosperity Gospel preachers are available to those who who do a little bit of research all coming to light more and more Luke 8:17.

For nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest, neither anything hid that shall not be known and come abroad. With the technology today, satellite, cell phone messaging, video capture and recording, and a great deal of news media and television coverage, almost nothing can be hid in this day of the Lord. Which shows me even more the invisible secret presence of our Lord Jesus. Another of many signposts of Christ’s invisible presence. Nothing shall be hid in that day.

Let’s see. Our chairman’s up. You know what that means. I get five more minutes, right? Okay, we also read in.

Well, let’s skip that.

This might be an 11 point signpost. We’ll have to move that 12th one into the next. Dear friends, in summary, I’ve covered 12 reasons that I believe are proof to me that my Lord has returned. The second presence has taken place. I’ve quoted to you over 60 scriptures.

If I would have completed this to back up and Support my thoughts, 60 now. So if you got a different opinion, get your scriptures out. I truly pray it’s been helpful to you. I spoke of things in this discourse that some of us may have a little difference of opinion on. I understand.

We don’t always see things alike, do we? And I truly appreciate your indulgence of Christian liberty, love and tolerance towards me on the things that you may see differently. But we all worship God in spirit and in truth. The spirit of love as well as the spirit of truth. I respect your right to believe the way you have studied in the Scriptures.

And I know you give me the same liberty that I believe the Scriptures are talking about. I still love you, and even if you don’t always agree with me and I don’t agree with you. We need to love each other, right? It’s one of the tests of the Haru’s.

I love what brother Russell said one time. He said on essentials, unity, on non essentials charity. We have the unity of the faith on essentials like the doctrine of the ransom. Right? But we have charity on what I believe are non essentials.

Like the burning of the Tares takes place. Some have different views on that. May the Lord overrule anything said amiss. But I did my best to bring out the Scriptures on the second Presence and a few related doctrines as well. In the spirit of Christ’s love.

And finally in the words of the APostle Paul in 1st Thessalonians 5:1 and of our Lord Jesus in Revelation 3:20. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you for yourselves. Know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and I will sup with him, and he with me. Matthew 25:6. Behold the bridegroom. Your bridegroom.

Come ye forth to meet him. Amen.

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