Keeping Watch: Interpreting the Signs of Jesus’ Imminent Return

By Tom Killoran

Jesus commanded that his followers faithfully watch for his return. This command clearly implies there is something to watch for! But what exactly is that? How are we to recognize the specific signs of his coming?

What differentiates false messiahs, wars and rumors of war, famines, pestilence, persecution and earthquakesthe signs Jesus gavefrom those same afflictions that have plagued man since the beginning? What is it that makes the period of history immediately prior to Jesus return identifiably different?

Keeping Watch unveils the answer, identifying the specific signs of Jesus return and why these signs are unique to a particular event at a particular moment in history an event already beginning to unfold!

Keeping Watch clarifies the biblical precepts by which God judges people and nations. The application of these precepts to the book of Revelation reveals that the seals, the first set of seven so-called judgments, are not actually judgments at all, but rather a series of events fulfilling the signs of Jesus return. When considering the signs and their fulfillments together, the story of a world-shaking conflict unfoldsa conflict that brings nations to their knees while fulfilling every sign Jesus gave his disciples!

Jesus declared, When you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

We are that generation!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Sep 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781512710502

Tom Killoran

Tom Killoran is founder of Sentinel Ministries International, dedicated to the observation of world events and the proclamation of their prophetic relationship to Jesus’ return. Tom’s research has led to his personal conviction that this generation will witness the long-awaited return of Jesus Christ. Tom and his wife make their home in the Seattle area. Visit Tom’s website at www.sentinelministries.org.

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Copyright © 2015 Thomas L. Killoran.

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Any emphasis added to quoted Scripture including bolding, underlining and italicizing is the author’s unless otherwise noted.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica US, Inc.

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-1051-9 (sc)

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WestBow Press rev. date: 09/03/2015

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part 1 Judgment Precepts, Signs and Seals

1 Understanding God’s Judgment Process

2 Prophecy Fulfilled

3 The Common Thread

4 The White Horse

5 The Red Horse

6 The Black Horse

7 The Green Horse

8 The Souls Under the Altar

9 Earthquake

10 The Seventh Seal: The Beginning of the End

Part 2 Eleven Bears: Events of His Coming

Introduction to Part Two

11 Eleven Proclamations Regarding Christ’s Return

12 The First Bear: An Exhortation

13 The Second Bear: The Announcement

14 The Third Bear: Destruction in the Night

15 The Fourth Bear: Abandoned By the Almighty

16 The Fourth Bear Part 2: Judged By the Almighty

17 The Fifth Bear: Ezekiel’s War

18 The Sixth Bear: The Peacemaker

19 The Seventh Bear: The Temple

20 The Eighth Bear: The Abomination

21 The Ninth Bear: The Great Persecution

22 The Tenth Bear: The Two Witnesses

23 The Eleventh Bear: The Wrath of God

24 Living Like There Is No Tomorrow

Appendix A Understanding Imminence

Appendix B Thoughts on Generation

Appendix C Bear Essentials: The Eleven Bear Checklist

Chapter End Notes and Scripture References

When it is evening, you say,

It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.

And in the morning, "It will be stormy today,

for the sky is red and threatening."

You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky,

but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

Jesus - Matthew 16:2,3

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Jesus - Matthew 25:13 NIV

To Gib Martin – pastor, mentor, friend.

You freely gave yourself away;

the fruit of which will only be known in glory.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Not until I was well underway with this project did I begin to understand just how much of a team effort it takes to write a book. Now I fear I might forget to acknowledge everyone who was a help in the process.

First, of course, I want to express appreciation for my lovely wife, Susan. From being patient with me when I chose to spend time writing instead of working around the house, to sharing her talents at grammar and editing, this book would not have finished nearly as well without her help. Thank you.

My daughter Jennifer takes after her mom in the English and grammar departments, and was a tremendous help with her suggestions, questions and ideas. Nothing like having a family team! I dearly love you both.

My good friends John Kutz and Mark Million were especially helpful with their knowledge of Scripture and theology, their suggestions, encouragements and prayers. I feel as if they prayed this book into existence. I also want to thank Dr. Tim Knight, senior pastor of Highline Christian Church, for his encouragement, counsel and willingness to listen to my ideas. Duncan Mulholland is another faithful friend and saint whose constant encouragement and emails were far more meaningful than he knew. One underestimates the support given by cheerleaders when the going gets bogged down and everything takes longer than expected. God bless all of you.

Then there is the list of friends and co-workers who patiently listened while I excitedly droned on about what I was discovering in my studies and what it all could mean. Friends like Danny, Ken, Bob, Denny, Deborah, Jerrie, Yvonne, Donna and Shelley – if you wondered at times if I might be taking a long walk on a short pier, you didn’t let on! Thank you for being my friends, and for loaning me your ears!

Of course, books don’t appear on the shelf by themselves, either. The editors and production staff at Westbow Press used their God-given gifts and experienced professionalism to produce the finished product that you now hold in your hands. Thanks so much to all of you.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we can ask or think, according to the power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

To God be the glory.

INTRODUCTION

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours out speech,

and night to night reveals knowledge.

Psalm 19:1,2

Many centuries ago David, the King of Israel, wrote of the glory of God being declared nightly through the majesty and wonder of the stars of heaven. That majesty and wonder speak of the almighty power of God to all who will simply look up and ponder its glory.

Some years ago I travelled to Arizona to join a friend for a hike into the Grand Canyon. We backpacked supplies for camping overnight alongside the mighty Colorado River. Because the evening was so warm I threw my sleeping bag on the ground and lay on top for the night. Somewhere around two or three in the morning I awoke to what appeared to be a cloudy sky. Thinking that we might need to find shelter if it were about to rain, I fumbled around and found my glasses to get a clearer view of the weather, only to lay back in awestruck wonder. Never in my life had I seen so many stars in the sky… literally clouds of stars. I lay there praising God for the most beautiful display of his creativity I had ever seen.

Later, as I reflected on this celestial treat, I better understood what God was doing when he showed Abraham the night sky and asked him to count the stars if he could. More than the stars Abraham could see would be his progeny – his descendants. God would do it, and just as he created the night sky to declare his power and glory, he would fulfill his promise to Abraham. In the future his descendants would multiply beyond his ability to count. From that moment on, every clear night in the desert would remind Abraham of God’s promise and his ability to keep it.

Many years later the apostle Paul would declare,

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Romans 1:18-20

Again, God uses his creation and handiwork to declare to man his existence, his nature and his attributes. For that reason, Paul proclaims that man’s unbelief is without excuse based on the evidence of creation alone.

When it comes to dealing with mankind, God does nothing in secret. Everything is proclaimed, even the future. Not only does creation declare God’s existence, but his plan for mankind is revealed through his Word and his prophets. The Old Testament prophet Amos wrote:

For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.

Amos 3:7

God reveals his plans, and he does so that mankind might know that he is God. Because only God knows the future and all that it contains, prophecy serves to prove that God is present, real, and sovereign over the affairs of all people, as well as warning of the consequences of rebellion. However, we will not listen to God at all if we do not believe he exists and what he says is true. Therefore, both fulfilled prophecy and creation work together as proof of God’s existence.

And so we come to the purpose of this book. God will reveal what is about to happen, even turning mankind’s effort to suppress the truth into a revelation of the very truth they are hoping to hide. God will even use the evening news to proclaim the imminent return of Jesus! In spite of ignorance and unbelief, God will use the media to unwittingly proclaim the fulfillment of signs and prophecies long held within written Scripture. Our goal is to understand those signs and prophecies so we will recognize them when they become headline news.

In Part One we will look at the precepts that guide God’s judgments. Then we will discover why the breaking of the seals in the book of Revelation is not a series of judgments as taught by so many, but rather the fulfillment of the signs of Jesus’ return. From here we will proceed to identify the common thread that ties the seals together into a single, identifiable, world-shattering event that fulfills the all signs of Jesus’ imminent return.

Part Two is a practical guide to those future events that will take place leading to the return of Christ. Each incident is a Biblical prophecy fulfilled. Each stands alone as one of the signs of Jesus’ second coming. These events together tell a story of the last days, therefore serving as a simple checklist for marking progress along the road to Jesus’ return. Jesus commanded us to keep watch. Part Two serves as a list of major prophetic signs to watch for.

Relevant Scriptures for each step in the process will be explored to show how they apply to the unfolding story. These events will not be hidden, but will be world news, proclaimed by every major news outlet on earth. So, without the need to understand anyone’s particular end-time scenario, the reader will be able grasp the significance of what is really happening as these events take place. Simply check off each sign as it is reported, knowing that each mark represents another step closer to the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

God has revealed his plan, and I believe his plan will be fulfilled in a manner far more literal than we can imagine. Some interesting surprises await the reader as we get into this study of God’s Word and come to understand and anticipate these coming events that are waiting for their moment to appear. The goal of this book is our spiritual preparedness, for believers will be called to walk through some tough times before Jesus rules his kingdom.

Knowing what to look for will help us prepare physically and emotionally. For spiritual preparedness, repentance is the key. We may easily understand the need for repentance in terms of those who don’t yet believe, but we tend toward blindness regarding the need for repentance within ourselves. Hopefully this book will serve to alert the faithful to the trials ahead so that we might become the purified bride of Christ, ready to receive her Groom.

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

1 Peter 4:17

Tom Killoran

August, 2015

Note to readers: I will quote much Scripture through the course of this book. Many times I emphasize a word or phrase with italics, underlining, or bold letters. Rather than continuously add emphasis mine to every citation, please know that the emphasis is always the author’s unless otherwise noted.

PART ONE

Judgment Precepts, Signs and Seals

1

Understanding God’s Judgment Process

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying,

"Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming

and of the close of the age?"

Matthew 24:3

Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, Come!

Revelation 6:1

Setting the Stage

As we begin to explore how to understand the signs of Jesus’ return, there are several foundational pieces of information we need to keep in mind as we proceed. These pieces are critical for correctly understanding God’s judgment process, the goals he is bringing to completion, and our ability to accurately discern the signs of the times. We will then be better prepared to perceive the season of Jesus’ return, and when the process of the end has begun.

While the subject of the day of the Lord is of interest to most believers, it is unfortunately considered by many as irrelevant. What I mean is this: while the judgments of God and the last days may make for interesting discussion, the concept of understanding the seals of Revelation as being critical for our preparation often doesn’t enter our thinking! We have generally been taught, and many have readily believed, that whatever happens within the book of Revelation after chapter three simply does not apply to the church. Or, if it does apply, we want to believe these events are so far into the future that they have no current application. Therefore, this last book of the Bible is too often viewed as a curious toy to play with and not as a necessary guide for our understanding and preparation for a season we may be called to walk through.

So while the events of Revelation may make for interesting discussion and debate, many Christians simply do not believe the end of the world is anything they will have to deal with. Believing they will be taken away via the rapture before things get bad, end-time prophecy is paid little attention beyond an occasional curious look. So Jesus’ warnings concerning the signs of his coming are generally believed to be for the benefit of the unbeliever who is left behind to deal with the tribulation, while ignoring the fact that it was his disciples who were told to keep watch.

But what if our assumptions have been wrong? What if the seals of Revelation are not judgments at all, but warnings? What if the seals are the fulfillment of the signs Jesus spoke of that signal his imminent return? What if they are designed for the believer to see and understand so preparation can be made and evangelism might move forward with urgency and passion? What if we are to understand the signs so we can become a beacon of light and hope during the world’s darkest days?

The Disciples’ Request

Three of the four gospels record the burning question of Jesus’ disciples who longed to know the signs and timing of his return.¹ The expectation of the Lord’s return caused many of Jesus’ followers to believe they might actually see it in their lifetime. Jesus purposely did not correct but rather encouraged the expectation of his imminent return because of his desire that they remain alert and ready. He made it clear his coming would be unexpected, like a thief in the night.

Watching is not to be a fruitless exercise! There actually is something identifiable that we are to watch for! Why? For the simple reason that if we are watching as Jesus commanded, we will not be taken by surprise as will those who are not paying attention. We are to be prepared.

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, There is peace and security, then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Matthew 24:42-44 NIV

The implication of Jesus’ words is clear: watching will have the benefit of helping us be prepared and not caught by surprise! Is it unbelievers who will be watching? Not likely, for an unbeliever is just that – an unbeliever. Those with little faith or commitment to God are not likely to be watching for Jesus. People simply get busy with life and personal goals. Only those with a deep and personal love relationship with Jesus generally carry an expectation of his return. Therefore Jesus’ exhortation to watch, though meant for everyone, will most likely resonate with the believer.

Watching will bear fruit for the simple reason that there is something identifiable we can watch for! So it is for this purpose that Jesus left his disciples with a prophetic list of events that will signal his return.

Signs, Not Judgments

It is important to point out here that Jesus’ disciples asked him for signs of his coming. A careful word study through the signs given in Matthew 24 and the description of the seals in Revelation 6 reveals nothing of the wrath or judgment of God. No words or terms in the Greek reveal anything of this nature. What Jesus revealed to his disciples in response to their request was a list of events to watch for that, when considered together, serve as the sign of his imminent return.

There is, however, what appears to be an exception in the description of the sixth seal. The earthquake described in seal number six is called "the wrath of the Lamb" by men (Revelation 6:16). This must be understood as a local event, not as the comprehensive wrath of God as it relates to the final destruction of the earth. This is indicated by John’s use of the Greek word orge (impulse, anger) describing a wrath that is impulsive and momentary in nature and is thereby limited in scope. The bowls of wrath, however, use a different word in the Greek: thumos, implying passion, indignation, and rage (Revelation 15:1,7; 16:1). This is the wrath of final judgment for it is a rage that isn’t satisfied until it is exhausted.

Why is this important? It is commonly taught that the seals, along with the trumpets and bowls of wrath, are three sets of seven judgments upon the earth. I believe this view to be incorrect. For reasons that will be explored through the next few chapters, we will discover that neither the seals nor the trumpets are ever referred to in Scripture as judgments or the wrath of God.

Not until we get to the bowls are those events referred to as judgments and wrath.

So if the seals described in Revelation chapter 6 are not judgments or the wrath of God, what are they? Hang on for the journey! Together we will uncover the real meaning of the signs and the seals.

Judgment Precepts

The Scriptures are not just a revelation of the nature of God and his plan for the future, but they serve as a guide to life – how we should live. While cultures and technologies continually change, God does not. God is always a loving God, but he is also righteous and pure, and he judges unrighteousness because it cannot coexist with his holiness. He is consistent – never capricious or arbitrary. The apostle James said it more poetically when he wrote,

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

James 1:7 ²

God is immutable. He simply does not change.

Mankind’s unredeemed nature, on the other hand, never changes either! We continue to rebel against God and insist on doing things our way because we think we are getting smarter and know what is best.³ Too often it is our way or the highway. But God doesn’t walk on our road; we are to walk on his, and the path is narrow and not many find it.⁴ Some, unfortunately, never bother to look.

God’s consistency within himself and his Word allows us to draw principles, or precepts, from Scripture as a guide to life and understanding. A precept can be thought of as a rule or a standard by which a person guides his or her conduct or action. For example, the Bible doesn’t tell us specifically whom to marry, but it will give us precepts to guide that decision – guidance concerning a person’s character, faith, and conduct for example.⁵ I believe that all areas of life, if not dealt with directly by the Bible, can be guided by its precepts or principles.

The consistency by which God deals with humanity, then, can be confidently used to develop precepts or standards to guide our life and faith. God’s consistency, or immutability, also allows us to use these precepts to understand how he will deal with mankind in the future. So it is here that I offer several judgment precepts established by God himself that guide the manner by which he hands down his correction and judgment upon people and nations. I don’t believe we can gain a proper understanding of the seals, trumpets and bowls of wrath without a correct grasp of these fundamental judgment precepts.

Precept #1… God Is Long-Suffering; Slow To Anger

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Psalm 86:15

God is not hot-tempered, short-fused, capricious or arbitrary. He is the model of patience!

Precept #2… God Is Patient for the Purpose of Repentance

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that you should reach repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

The reason for his patience is to grant us every possible opportunity to come to our senses!

Precept #3… God Takes No Pleasure in Judgment

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.

Ezekiel 18:23,32

God is a God of life, not death. Death comes by way of disobedience and willful refusal to believe. The choice to turn and live is clearly ours to make. Life or death is our decision.

Precept #4… Nevertheless, God Will Judge Unrighteousness

The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful;

The Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies.

The Lord is slow to anger and great in power;

And the Lord will by no means clear the guilty.

Nahum 1:2,3

Sin and rebellion will be dealt with. If God does not ultimately deal with evil, then by allowing it to continue he would become evil as well. God’s inaction would be viewed by mankind as implied agreement with their actions. Therefore, God’s holiness demands that all unrighteousness be ultimately confronted. It is only his loving patience and desire that none should perish that causes God to move slowly toward judgment, allowing time for repentance.

The Judgment Process

Now, keeping the above precepts in mind we move to the question of how God applies these