July 27, 2023 | Silver Spring, Maryland, United States | Ted N.C. Wilson, President, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Greetings, friends. One of the most solemn and yet most wonderful truths revealed in the Bible is that of Christ’s Second Coming. For centuries people have longed and waited for the glorious day when Jesus will come to take us home to live with Him forever.
Ever since Adam and Eve had to leave their garden home, the children of faith have waited for the coming of the Promised One to break the destroyer’s power and bring them back to the lost Paradise.
The Scriptures record this blessed hope from the early days of this Earth’s history. The prophet Enoch, who was only the seventh generation from Adam, declared, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all” (Jude 14, 15).
The patriarch Job exclaimed, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; . . . in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold . . . how my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25-27).
Poets and prophets throughout the Bible have proclaimed the coming of that great day, which has been the hope of God’s true followers down through the ages.
Jesus’ parting promise to His disciples, given through the angel messengers filled them with hope—“This same Jesus,” said the angel, “who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). This promise was given again by Jesus Himself to the Apostle John while He was exiled to the rocky island of Patmos: “Surely I am coming quickly” (Rev. 22:20).
This is the hope to which the martyrs clung as they witnessed for the truth with their own blood. Many Reformers, including Martin Luther, Melanchthon, Calvin, Knox, Latimer, and many more looked by faith for the Lord’s return.
As we consider Bible prophecy, it not only tells us the manner of Christ’s return, but it also presents signs telling us when His coming is near. Jesus said in Luke 21:25-28—”And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
More details are given to us in Mark 13:24-25 where we read: “The sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken,” and in Revelation 6:12 —”There was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.“
Friends, these prophetic signs have been fulfilled in the most profound way, and over the course of two videos, we will look at their fulfillment in more detail.
Today we will consider the fulfillment of the prophecy regarding the horrific earthquake that indicates the nearness of Christ’s return.
The most terrible earthquake ever recorded occurred in the year 1755. Though it is commonly known as the earthquake of Lisbon, it extended over the greater part of Europe, Africa, and America. It was felt in Greenland, in the West Indies, in Norway, Sweden, Great Britain, and Ireland, covering at least 4 million square miles!
In Africa, the shock was almost as severe as in Europe, where an entire village containing approximately 10 thousand people was completely swallowed up. The sea itself was in turmoil as a vast wave swept over the coast of Spain and Africa, engulfing cities, and causing great destruction.
In Spain and Portugal, the earthquake was especially violent. We read that “At Lisbon a sound of thunder was heard underground, and immediately afterwards a violent shock threw down the greater part of that city. . . . It has been estimated that ninety thousand [people] lost their lives on that fatal day” (The Great Controversy, p. 305).
While the world has experienced many earthquakes over the years, none have equaled the scope and devastation brought about by the Lisbon earthquake. This is one of the prophetic signs that Jesus has given, telling us this Earth’s history is winding down and His coming is soon.
In our next video, we will continue looking at the signs predicted by Bible prophecy and how they were each fulfilled in a most dramatic way. In the meantime, I encourage you to read the chapter “Heralds of the Morning” in The Great Controversy, where you will learn more. If you have not yet done so, I encourage you to download your free copy of this wonderful book at thegreatcontroversyproject.org [Insert: thegreatcontroversyproject.org].
Friends, I believe Jesus is coming soon! And as we continue looking at these prophecies, I believe your heart will be warmed as together we discover the nearness of this blessed hope.
Let’s have a word of prayer together just now.
Father in Heaven. Thank you for giving us signs predicted in the Bible as to what the nearness of Christ’s coming would be. Thank you for alerting us even to something like the Great Earthquake in Lisbon that tells us we are living in the last days. Thank you for the promise of your Second Coming. Help us to be ready every day. Lord, we pledge ourselves now as followers of yours to be fully reconciled to you through the blood of Jesus Christ so that we will be ready for Jesus soon. Coming in Christ’s name, we ask it. Amen.