The Brinkley argus., 1918-05-31
LESSON FOR JUNE 2
THE PROPHETIC OUTLINE OF THE INTERVAL BETWEEN CHRiST'S CRUClFIxION
 AND HIS COMING AGAIN.
LESSON rExT-Mark ls1. 14:s.

Mark 1913.
 DEVOTIONAL Ephesians 9 1-10
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL = Matthew t31-25, 4s; Luke 21:5-SS; Thess. 5:1-2i; Il Thess. 2
 PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus among his friends.-Mark 4:3-9
 JUNIOR AND INTERMEDIATE TOP Ic-our best for. Christ.-Mark 14:S-s.
 The printed text GA :1-9) may prof. itably be used by the primary, junior and intermediate grades, but the adult classes will more proftably confne their study to chapter 13. In order to avoid confusion in this study, let 1t be clearly borne in mind that two mat. ters are presented-the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies and the glorious return of the Lord. The two are sometimes so closely inter- woven as to make the threads difficult to disentangIe, but If we see the color ing in the graphic picture of the de- strnction of Jerusalem as adumbrating the revelation of the Son of Ged in glory, we shall have DO serious trouble
 l. The Occasion of the Prophecy (vv. 1-4).
 As Jesus was passing through the temple for the last time on his way to the Mount of Olives. where he gave this discourse, the disciples reminded him of the splendor of the building, to which he replied that not one stone should be left upon another. When seated upon the mount three disciples came privately with threefold ques- tion, according to Matthew 24, request. ing further information.
 l. When shall these things be?
 ?. What shall be the sign of thy coming?
 3. And of the end of the age?
 That which follows is given in an- swer to these questions.
 II. The Characteristics of the Age During the Absence of Christ (vv.5-23). l. Appearance of deceivers (vv. 6, 8.
 Since Jesus went hack to heaven many false Christs from time to time have pressed their claims as being the Christ. As the age draws to a close these claims doubtless will increase. 2 Wars and strife among the na. lions (vv. ', 8. The history of the centuries since Christ Is written In blood and the river increases In volume as the age goes on toward It's consummation. Jesus warns against making any particular VIZ. the sign of his coming. Many good people have seriously blundered in this respect because they did not heed this warning. 3. Earthquakes and fam.nes (v. 8. | Though these caIamities grow in- creaslngly severe as the days Iengthen, the intelligent, believing disciple Is not surprised or alarmed, for these are the precursors of new order, the birth bangs of new age, the estab- lishment of the Kingdom of Christ upon this earth. Let the child of God his redemption draweth nigh Guke 21 :2s).
 4. Universal evangelism (v. 10).
 The gospel of the Kingdom. accord Ing to Matthew 24 IA. shall be preach ed in all the world for a witness. This is not the Gospel of the grace of God which we now preach. but the new evangelism which shall be proclaimed by elect IsraelItes immediately pre- ceding the coming of Christ to estab- lish his Kingdom (see Rev. 7:4-l0; Rom. II :15).
 iii. The Lords Glorious Return (vv. ? -D.
 This Is the superlatiye event. the one to which all prophecies have point ed, and all ages are moving with un- failing precision. It will usher in the golden age of which the wise and great of all ages have dreamed. and for which they longed. The coming of the Lord will put an end to earth's sorrows; wars and strife will not end until the kingdoms of this world be- come the Kingdom of our Lord and his Christ (Rev. Il :15). This event will be accompanied by great physical dis turbances and Jesus will gather his elect from the ends of the earth.
 ". Applications of the Prophecy (vv. 2S-37).
 
 l. As these events multiply In the earth we know that the coming of the Lord draweth nigh (yv 28, 29), as the putting forth of the leaves of the fig tree prove the approach of summer.
 2. The Jewish race shall retain It's integrity till the end (v. 30).
 The perpetuity of Israel is the mir. acle of the ages.
 3. Certainty of fulfillment (v. 31).
 The unfailng guarantee is the words of Christ.
 4. The time of Christ's coming un known (v. 32).
 In view of this 1t is utter folly to set the time. The devil keeps people from the truth of Christ's coming as long al possible. When he can no longer sue ceed in this, he then tries to get then to set the time.
 Tho nroppr bphayIor in view o