Welcome to Defenders, the teaching class of Dr. William Lane Craig.

For more information and resources from Dr. Craig, go to reasonable faith.org.

We've been talking about the Second Coming of Christ,

and today we come to one of the most interesting and controversial questions, the question of the time of the Second

Coming. When is Christ going to return, to raise the dead, judge the world, and gather the

church? On the one hand, as you read Jesus Olivet discourse about the signs of his coming,

it would seem that this event is a long way off.

This is not something that is imminent.

Look at Mark 13 again, the Olivet discourse that we've been talking about for the last few lessons.

Notice the elements of Jesus'

predictions in answer to the disciples' question, when will this be, and what will be the sign when these things are to be accomplished? In Mark 13, 5 to 6, Jesus predicts that there will be a period of

religious apostasy. And Jesus began to say to them, take heed that no one leads you astray.

Many will come in my name saying, I he, and they will lead many astray.

So there will be many false Christ who will lead people away from the truth.

Jesus also predicts persecution and a worldwide witness of the church in Mark 13,

verses 9 to 11 and 13 to 19. Jesus says, but take heed to yourselves, for they will deliver you up

to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues, and you will

stand before governors and kings for my sake to bear testimony before them. And the gospel must first

be preached to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you up, do not be anxious

beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you

who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And you will be hated by all for my name's sake, that he who endures to the end

will be saved. For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been seen from the

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