Jesus Promised Messiah

How to Read the Signs of the Times

Those who lived when he was born of Mary in Bethlehem of Judea needed the spirit of inspiration to discern the signs of the times, to know which of the prophetic utterances described his First Coming, which his Second. Theirs was the responsibility to search the scriptures and seek the Spirit so they could know and believe the truths revealed by him in their dispensation.

And those of us who now live as mortals…need and seek the spirit of revelation to read the signs of the times, to know when he will come again, to know which parts of the revealed word have reference to the millennial cleansing of the earth, and which have reference to the earth in its final celestial state.

We have the advantage of hindsight in pondering the Messianic prophecies and seeing their fulfillment in the mortal ministry of the Son of God among men. Their meanings are clear, and the understanding of them is certain, because the events forecast have transpired; because their application to these events has been confirmed by latter-day revelation; because of the spirit of interpretation shed forth upon the saints by the Holy Spirit of God.

Accordingly, as we rejoice in the efficacy and virtue of the infinite and eternal atonement, wrought by God himself in a dispensation past, we also search, ponder, and pray to know how to interpret and apply Holy Writ in the dispensation present. We desire to know how to read the signs of our times, as they read the signs of theirs.

We desire to know of our Lord’s promised return to dwell among us; and next to the spirit of revelation and prophecy itself, there is probably no better guide than to know and understand those Messianic utterances whose fulfillment is now a matter of assured reality. To know how Deity has dealt with men is to forecast how he will continue to do so, for he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; his course is one eternal round; and as he offered goodness and grace to the ancients, so will he to us, if we walk as they did. The fact is, no one can comprehend the future Second Coming without first gaining a knowledge of the First Coming.

In this work we shall consider the testimony and teachings of the prophets of old relative to the Promised Messiah: the First Coming of Christ. This knowledge will lay the foundation for an understanding of the life that he lived among mortals and of his future return to reign among them during the Millennium. (Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah: The First Coming of Christ, p.3)