Lesson #19 - Signs

Terry Siverd
04/22/18 - Sun AM

LESSON #19 – SIGNS

A discussion of the number “40” does not prove to be just intriguing  it is also quite instructive.

While the number forty is symbolic of a time of trial or testing, it also speaks of a time of maturation.

e.g., in the case of humans, a fully mature pregnancy normally spans nine months (more specifically, forty weeks).

Our contention, based on the Scriptures, is that the age of signs and wonders lasted for forty years.

DISCUSSION SUB-POINTS

1) MICAH’S PROPHECY PREDICTS SUCH

Micah 7:15 / As in the days when you came out from the land of Egypt, I will show you miracles (NASV).

The KJV renders, According to the days of thy coming out…

  Micah’s point goes beyond noting the mere presence of miracles or signs, he specifies ACCORDING TO THE DAYS.

In other words, as Israel saw signs for 40 years during the exodus, likewise the early saints would witness 40 years of signs.

2) FUZZINESS IS REPLACED BY CLARITY

  If you ask our brethren, “How long did the age of signs and wonders last?”, the typical answer tends to be fuzzy.

~ Many argue that “miracles ceased with the death of the apostles”, but there is no text that corroborates that claim.

~ In the time frame from Pentecost (c. AD 30) to the fall of Jerusalem (AD 70) the ends of the ages co-align. 

i.e., the first generation of the church becomes the terminal generation of Judaism.  cf. 1Cor.10:11

Thus the first days of Christianity correspond to the last days of Judaism.

  A critical point that many miss is that THE LAST DAYS speak of the end of Judaism and not the end of planet earth.

The very purpose of the last days was to bring full judgment upon an apostate Israel and full maturity to the church.

In prophesying of Jerusalem’s destruction, Luke writes (Lk.21:22) - -

these are days of vengeance, in order that all things which were written might be fulfilled.

3) THE HUB OF THE BIBLE

J.D. Bales wrote a book (a detailed study of Acts 2) which he titled, The Hub of The Bible.

  In Acts 2 we find Peter quoting Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:28f).

~ In Joel’s prophecy we are provided with “the bookends” for the New Testament age of signs and wonders.

  Peter points to the events of Pentecost saying, “this is what was spoke by the prophet Joel…” (Acts 2:16).

The “this” to which Peter refers was “the signs and wonders” -- on that point all seem quite agreeable.

But when would the “signs” end?  Joel’s prophecy also reveals the end point (Acts 2:20b) - -

…Before the great and glorious day of the Lord shall come.

~ If this great and glorious day of the Lord is yet future, why aren’t we still witnessing the “signs”?

~ The answer is that the great and glorious day of the Lord was a prophecy of Jerusalem’s fall in AD 70.

4) THE GREAT COMMISSION

   Have you ever carefully compared and contrasted Mt.28:19-20 with Mk.16:17-18?

Matthew’s account gives Jesus’ promise:  Lo, I am with you…

Mark’s account tells how He was with them - - these SIGNS shall accompany those who believe…

Matthew’s account also reveals the time for such - - Lo, I am with you always, even TO THE END OF THE AGE.

~ The KJV renders this unto the end of THE WORLD, but the better translation is AGE (i.e., the Jewish age).

  The promise was that Jesus (via the Holy Spirit) would be with the early saints in providing miraculous signs

and wonders right up to the end of the age (the fall of Jerusalem).  cf. Jn.14:26 & 16:13  and Heb.1:2 & 2:4.

~ The apostle Paul reiterates the promise of Jesus in 1Cor.1:6-8a - - the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall confirm you to the end…