In the year 1000 A.D., thousands of so called “Christians” fled to the hills of their countries. The reason for this was because they believed that Christ was coming in the year 1000 A.D. Some historians believe that there will be a repeat performance of this in the year 2000 A.D. We who hold the Scriptures to be the inspired Word of God know that no human knows of the second coming of Christ. When Christ walked on earth, He taught His disciples the signs of the times. It is the signs of the times that will give clues to the second coming of Christ. All things must come to pass that is written in heaven before Christ shall return.
Christ taught Peter, James, John and Andrew on the Mount of Olives about the last days. In Mark 13, Christ says that many men will try to deceive the elect. Men will say that they are Christ and many will follow. That is what happened in the year 1000 and maybe will happen in the year 2000 too. Another sign of the times is written in Mark 13:8, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginning of sorrows.” Isn’t this true in the Mid East, Africa, Far East, and even in the “Christian” United States.
Christ also taught of persecution. When the nations have come to peace, they will turn against the elect Church of God. The elect will be betrayed by their own brethren and kinsfolks and many will be put to death for Christ’s sake. Luke 21:12-15 says “But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.”
I Thessalonians 5:5-8, Christ through Paul says, “Ye are all children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.” The Lord will come as a thief in the night. The Lord went on a small trip and soon shall return. The elect must be ready. Watching.