Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1918-05-30

PRIMARY TOPIC-Jesus among his
frierds.-Mark 1889
JUNIOR AND INTERMEDIATE TOP
IC-Our best for Christ.-Mark 1889
The printed text :1-9> may prof
itably be used by the primary, junior
and intermediate grades, but the adult
classes will more proftably confine
their study to chapter 13. In order to
avoid confusion in this study, let 1t be
clearly borne in mind that two mat
tiers are presented-the destruction of
Jerusalem by the Roman armieH and
the glorious return of the Lord The
two are sometimes so closely inter-
woven as to make the threads difficult
to disentangle, but If we see the color
ing in the graphic picture Of the de-
struction of Jerusalem as adumbrating
the revelation Of the Son Of God <in
glory, we shall have no serious trouble.
|. The Occasion Of the Prophecy
wv. LAY.
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 a threefold ques-
ton, according to Matthew "a, request
ing further information.
1. When shall these things be?
2. 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 wv.
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 close
these claims doubtless will increase.
2. Wars and strife among the ma
tons wv. z, 81.
The history Of the centuries since
Christ is written in blood, and the river
increases in volume as the age goes
on toward its contamination. Jesus
warns against making any particular
war the sign Of his coming. Many good
people have seriously Numbered i'll this
respect because they did not heed this
warning.
3. Earthquakes and famines ". 81.
Though these calamities grow in
creasingly severe as the days lengthen,
the intelligent, believing disciple is not
surprised or alarmed, for these are
| the precursors Of new order, the
birth pangs of new age, the estab-
lishment of the Kingdom of Christ
upon this earth. Let the child Of God
in this present darkness look up, for
his redemption draweth nigh (Luke
| 81 :2S).
4. Universal evangelism ". 10Y.
The gospelpf the Kingdom, accord
ing to Matthew 24:14, shall be preach
ed in all the world for 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-
fish his Kingdom (see Rev. 7:4-1O;
Rom. IL :15).
i III. The Lords Glorious Return wv.
2427).
This is the superlative event, the
one to which all prophecies have point
ed, and all ages are moving with un-
failing precision. 1t 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 earths
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.
! w. Applications Of the Prophecy
wv. 2S-37).
/. AS these events multiply in the
earth we know that the coming Of the
Lord draweth nigh wv. %, 29). as the
putting forth of the leaves of the fie
tree prove the approach of summer.
2. The Jewish race shall retain it,
integrity till the end ". 3O).
The perpetuity Of Israel is the mir
acle of the ages.
3. Certainty of fulfillment ". 31).
The unfailng guarantee Is tn,
words of Christ.
4. The time of Christ's coming I'm
known ". 32).
In view of this it is utter folly to Sc
the time. The devil keeps people iron
the truth of Christ's coming as long a.
possible. When he can no longer sue
coed in this. he then tries to get then
to set the time.
5. The proper behavior in view O
Christs imminent coming (vv. 1880
i. 1t is watchfulness and prayer. TIL
!. coming of the Lord is the grand incer
tive for watchfulness and earnes
Drayer