Sacred Skywriting Heralds to
the World an Eventful Future
tempted to anticipate coming events. They traveled
from distant climes, enduring the perils of land and sea,
to consult a Pythian or Delphian oracle that professed to
unlock the mystic future. Sorcerers, soothsayers, magicians,
and astrologers took their money, and gave advice regarding
romance, travel, adventure, riches, and escape from the perils
and realities of the world.
In this twentieth century wishful thinkers still gaze into
the crystal ball, hoping to look beyond the present, and dis-
cover the secrets of tomorrow; yet the globe of clear glass
reveals nothing save the reflection of its own surroundings.
But what about the unborn years and centuries? Is humanity
in total darkness concerning the time to come? Is there no
source of authentic information that forecasts the future?
Yes, the Creator of heaven and earth announces Himself
as the One who declares “the end from the beginning, and
from ancient times the things that are not yet done.” Isaiah
46:10. Likewise Daniel the prophet, when addressing the
mightiest monarch of antiquity, testified: “There is a God in
heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known . .
what shall be in the latter days.” Daniel 2: 28.
The disciples of Christ were also anxious to look beyond
the obscuring veil of the future. They listened intensely to
the Masters ominous words concerning their magnificent
temple, and were astonished at His prediction: “See ye not
all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be
left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown
down.” Matthew 24:2. At the earliest opportunity they
approached Him privately with their pressing inquiries:
“Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the
sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Verse 3.
In His memorable reply to these questions, Christ told of
the approaching destruction of the Jewish metropolis, and
gave them a specific sign by which they might know when to
make their escape from the doomed city: “When ye shall see
Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the deso-
lation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee
to the mountains: and let them which are in the midst of it
depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter
thereinto.” Luke 21: 20, 21.
Inviewof the coming national overthrowof the Jews, Jesus
counselled His followers, “Pray ye that your flight be not
in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day.” Matthew 24: 20.
That prayer was answered. A marvelous providence of God
opened the way for their departure in the middle of the
week. After the Roman commander had laid siege, said the
historian Josephus, he suddenly “retired from the city with-
out any reason in the world.” The Jewish army pursued
with a furious attack; and those trusting, watchful Chris
tians who were acquainted with Christ's prophecy uttered
many years before, now saw their opportunity for quick
flight. Soon afterwards the Roman forces returned, and in
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| YROM the days of antiquity men and women have at
Strange Astronomical Phenomena
Speak to Us
By Roy F. Cottrell
Author of Tomorrow in Prophecy”
the terrible destruction a million Jews perished. No Chris-
tian who heeded the Saviour’s counsel lost his life; while in
exact accord with the Master's predictions, the temple was
leveled to the ground.
Our Saviour briefly outlined the hardships and persecu-
tions through which the church would pass during the long,
cruel night of the Dark Ages. (Matthew 24:21, 22.) For
many centuries the papacy was the mistress of Western
Europe; and from her full establishment in 538 A. p., the 1260
years of papal supremacy, as revealed in Bible prophecy
(Daniel 7: 25; Revelation 12: 6; 13: 5), extended to the year
1798, when Pius VI was taken prisoner by the French
general Berthier.
Replying to the question, “What shall be the sign of Thy
coming, and of the end of the world?” our Lord stated:
The astronomical phenomenon known as *“The Dark Day” of May
19, 1780, was divinely foretold over 17 centuries before it occurred.
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