We left off last week having started to consider the following point: WITH THESE WORDS THE SAVIOUR LEFT THEM BUT HE DID SEND A FINAL WORD TO THEM. “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven,” Acts 1:9-11. He thus assures them that He IS COMING BACK!

I believe that as the time of the end draws near, the Lord will reveal its approach.

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. . . And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh,” Luke 21:25-26, 28.

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief,” 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4.

Many years ago, Daniel asked basically the same question as these disciples. Daniel had been given a vision of the terrible events in which the Jews will suffer under Antichrist. “He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon . . . But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him,” Daniel 11:41, 44-45.

In chapter 12, an angel makes this declaration: “And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; (31/2 years) and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished,”  verse 7.

Daniel is most anxious to know when this would be. “And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?” verse 8. The reply from the Lord is to be noted carefully.

“And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end,” Daniel 12:9.

I. THIS EXPLAINS, IN PART, WHY THERE ARE SO MANY CONFLICTING NOTIONS AS TO THE EVENTS OF THE LAST DAYS AND JUST WHEN THEY ARE!

The full information given in prophecy regarding the final events before the Saviour returns is ‘sealed up’ by the Lord “TILL THE TIME OF THE END”! Other truths were sealed up and then opened in GOD’S TIME, Ephesians 3:4-6.

‘Shut up, Closed up’ (verses 4, 9), the word used in Genesis 26:15 (wells closed); also in 1 Kings 21:8-Jezebel/letters.

A book that is shut up, closed up and sealed cannot be read until it is opened! So it is with the full details of the last days, as the Saviour informs us.

II. HOWEVER, THERE IS A PROMISE HERE OF THE TRUTH OF THESE PROPHECIES BEING OPENED IN THE END TIMES.

“And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end,” verse 9. I believe that there has been an opening up to men of an understanding of prophecies of the latter days. Over 150 years ago good men began expositions of prophecies which, though mocked by some, are irrefutable to this day being based upon a literal understanding of the Word of God. Men like the Bonar brothers, William De Burgh, who preached here in Co. Tyrone, Benjamin Wills Newton, George Muller and C H Spurgeon have led the return to a simple understanding of the Scriptures.

As in our school, matters not taught in a lower class are fully taught in a higher class!

III. THEN THE LORD WILL BE PLEASED TO OPEN UP HIS TRUTH TO HIS PEOPLE AND SHOW THEM HOW HE WILL BRING AN END TO MAN’S REBELLION AGAINST HIM AND HIS PEOPLE!

Thus the disciples were assured that all the labours in spreading the gospel would end in victory! The angels said: “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven,”verse 11. The Saviour left this earth having FINISHED the task given Him by the Father. He had risen from the dead, despite the best efforts of the devil and men. So He will come in like VICTORY!