Signs of Christ's Coming, Part 2

The Lutheran Confessions identify the papacy as the true end-times Antichrist when it invents doctrine that conflicts with the gospel and arrogates to itself divine authority. The papacy is establishing the kingdom of the Anitchrist when it defends the idea that humanly instituted traditions, human acts of worship, merit justification, grace, and the forgiveness of sins.

Indeed, it is a mark of the Antichrist when the papacy sets itself up "in the temple of God" (2 Thessalonians 2:4) - that is, when it rules and holds office in the church - and virtually assumes that is has divine authority, defending and promoting doctrine that conflicts with the gospel.

Such signs in the church, in human activities, and in nature are evidence that the present age will come to a close, and these signs are intended to encourage watchfulness (Matthew 24:4-8; Mark 13:5-8; Luke 21:8-11). But they do not necessarily indicate that the return of Christ is imminent. Such signs have occurred throughout history.

The present age will finally come to a close when the gospel of the kingdom has been proclaimed to all the nations as a testimony (Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10). The earth's inhabitants will know that the close of the age has come when they see in the skies and on earth signs pointing to the destruction of this universe. Then they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:29-30; Mark 13:24-26; Luke 21:25-28). The coming of Christ will also be heralded by a trumpet call that will gather the elect from all parts of the earth (Matthew 24:31). The first purpose of Christ's return will be to resurrect those who are in the grave so that they can appear before his judgment throne.

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