SIGNS OF THE TIMES
"And There
shall be signs ... upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity
...... Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those
things which are coming on the earth." Luke 21v25-26.
The Apostle Peter wrote:
"There shall come in the last days scoffers,
walking after their own lusts saying, Where is the promise of his
coming? [Christ's] For since the fathers fell asleep, all things
continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." 2 Peter
3v3-4
How true is this prophesy that Peter made so long
ago! Today so few look for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed the
vast majority, if the matter is mentioned adopt exactly the same attitude
described by Peter. They scoff at the idea, and talk as if there is no
evidence at all to support a belief that the return of Jesus may be very
near at hand.
How wrong they are! The Bible not
only tells us about the second coming of Jesus to the earth, it gives many
signs that will herald his coming. Many of these signs we see happening in
the world today. Signs which clearly show that his return is imminent. The
Jews at the time of the birth of Jesus ignored and misunderstood the signs
in their day and this present world is doing exactly the same thing prior
to his second coming. These signs can be referred to as 'signs of the
times and it is the purpose of this page to discus these signs and draw
attention to just some of them.
GROUNDS FOR FAITH
We read in the Bible:
"Without faith it is impossible to please
him. [God] for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and he is
a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Heb 11v6
However this does not mean that God expects us to
have a 'blind faith as some wrongly imagine, far from it. God is well
aware that human beings find it easier to believe what we see, rather than
believe by faith, and accordingly helps us in many ways to overcome our
natural unbelief.
Great signs and wonders were given in the past to
help people to believe in God and to believe and trust his word. Many
times we read that prophets were enabled by God to perform miracles or
give signs to draw attention to their prophesy, to convince people of the
truth of the message they spoke and to prove that they had indeed been
sent by God. Thus Samuel called upon God to make it thunder and rain,
Isaiah was enabled by God to cause the shadow to go back ten degrees on
the sun dial and the greatest example of all lies in the many miraculous
signs that Jesus himself performed to prove that he was indeed the Son of
God.
These signs and miracles then were to enable people
to judge whether or not the message was from God. Sometimes the message
given related to a time in the future and in such cases the Lord God
enabled people to believe by a sign or miracle , or by a partial
fulfillment of the prophesy in their day.
By these means then people were encourages to
believe in the existence of God, his overruling power and purpose with
this earth. To understand and accept his determination to fulfill all that
he has promised.
THE FIRST AND SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST
Signs were given in the past which caused men and women
to look for the first coming of Christ, and to believe that God would
raise up a son, who would redeem men from sin and death. In the same way
there are many signs given in scripture that refer to the second coming of
Christ. These signs are given to confirm belief and faith in Gods word
about Christ's return and the setting up of Gods Kingdom on earth.
The purpose of Christ's coming is to establish and
reign over Gods Kingdom. His work is to overturn all the kingdoms of men,
to rid the world of all its wickedness and to fill the earth with Gods
glory. This world is full of human misery and despair, man just does not
have the answers nor the ability to resolve the worlds problems. What this
world needs is wise, strong, just government and only Jesus Christ can
provide this.
Indeed the hope of all true Christians, is to look
forward to that day of Christ's reign as King over all the earth. They
know that indeed:
"God hath appointed a day in the which he
will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath
ordained." Acts 17v31
When God decides to do something at a set time then
that event comes to pass with perfect exactness. God however has not
revealed an exact time of what is termed in scripture as his 'appointed
day:
"That day and that hour knoweth no man, no,
not the angels...... neither the Son, but the Father." Mark 13v32
Jesus therefore instructed his followers to watch
for it. To enable them to this he gave clear indications of the conditions
that would herald the day of his return. We can read of one such occasion
when Jesus sat on the Mt of Olives and his disciples came to him privately
asking:
"when shall these things be? And what shall
be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world" Matt 24v3
We shall now then briefly consider the signs given
by Jesus together with signs given in other parts of the Bible.
THE JEWISH SIGN
One of the most important prophesies made by Jesus
concerns the Jews and the city of Jerusalem. He first spoke about the city
being destroyed, its people taken captive and being scattered throughout
all nations. Jesus said:
"They shall fall by the edge of the sword and
shall be led away captive into all nations and Jerusalem shall be
trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be
fulfilled." Luke 21v24.
In fulfillment of this prophesy the Romans besieged
and took the city in AD70. Over a million Jews lost their lives and the
remainder were scattered abroad. The land of Palestine, was after the
times of the Romans, occupied by a succession of invaders and conquerors.
First the Arabs 637 - 1072, Seljuks 1072 - 1096, Crusaders 1099 - 1291,
Marmelukes 1291 - 1517, Ottoman Turks 1517 - 1917.
Then came at last the time for Gentile dominion to
recede from Gods land, as the word 'until spoken by Jesus indicates. The
book of Revelation, which reveals the last message of Jesus to his
followers, in language of symbol and sign, speaks of the 'drying up of
'the great river Euphrates in preparation for the final development in
Gods plan. - [Rev 16v12] The Ottoman empire which had held dominion over
the Middle East including Palestine for 400yrs and through whose territory
the great river Euphrates flowed, was to decline and be removed. The
fulfillment of this prophecy is now a matter of history. After losing its
empire Turkey then lost control of Gods land in 1917, when they were
driven out during the first World war and Britain set up a 'national home
for the Jews
The restoration of the Jews to their own land was
foretold by God through the prophet Ezekiel 600yrs before Christ. We read
in Ezekiel 37 that he was shown a valley of dry bones "These
bone" he was told
"are the whole house
of Israel: Behold they say our bones are dried and our hope is lost."
[Ezekiel 37v11] This was the condition of Israel for many long centuries,
but the prophet was shown that this situation would not continue forever.
Ezekiel was told to prophesy upon the bones saying:
"O ye dry bones hear the word of the Lord.
Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones. Behold I will cause breath to
enter into you, and ye shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and
cover you with skin, and put breath into you, and ye shall live."
Ezekiel 37v4-6
The prophet did as he was commanded, and he saw a
great transformation take place. The bones came together, they formed
completed skeletons, sinews and flesh then came upon them, skin covered
them, breath came into them and they lived, standing up on their feet
[Ezek 37-10]. What did it all mean? We are left in no doubt as to the
answer:
"Thus saith the Lord God. Behold I will take
the children of Israel from among the heathen [nations] whither they be
gone and will gather them on every side, and bring them to their own
land." Ezekiel 37v21
Now, what does this have to do with the second
coming of Christ? Well the answer is twofold. Firstly it is clearly
stated, that the restoration of the Jews to their own land will be
followed by the setting up of Gods Kingdom on earth:
"I will make a covenant of peace with them
...... and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My
tabernacle shall be with them Yea I will be their God , and they shall
be my people." Ezekiel 37v26-27.
Secondly, this national restoration positively fixes
the time of events spoken of in Ezekiel chapter 38 . These will be
discussed later and involve direct divine intervention in human affairs.
Returning to Luke 21, we see the restoration of Israel
is again mentioned in symbol when Jesus:
"spake to them a parable. Behold the fig
tree, and all the trees. When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of
your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye
see these things come to pass, know ye that the Kingdom of God is nigh
at hand." Luke 21v29-31.
The fig tree was, and still is today, a symbol of
the nation of Israel. The prophet Joel wrote:
"A nation is come up upon my land .... He
hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree, he hath made it clean
bare and cast it away. The branches thereof are made white." Joel
1v6-7.
The prophet Jeremiah likened the nation to good and
bad figs, and at that time they were so bad God said:
"I will deliver them to be removed into all
the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a
proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive
them." Jeremiah 24v9.
The 'evil fig state of Israel continued, but God had
decreed:
"I will set mine eyes on them for good and
will bring them again to this land, and I will build them and not pull
them down. And I will plant them, and not pluck them up". Jeremiah
24v6
In 1917 with the removal of the Turks, the people
who had previously had no home, a stateless nation, returned back to their
homeland. However the continuous strife between Jew and Arab made the task
of Britain as 'caretaker too difficult and the mandate for Palestine was
given up on the 15th May 1948. A state of Israel was immediately
proclaimed and today millions of Jews can testify to the fulfillment of
Gods promise to return them back to their own land. The 'fig tree nation
is 'shooting forth just as Jesus said it would. Thus the revival of Israel
is a clear sign that Jesus will soon return, just as he has promised, and
set up the Kingdom of God. Of this there is no doubt.
Now the revival of the Israeli 'fig tree was to
coincide with the 'shooting forth of all the trees. This symbolizes well
the national liberation and independence movements of this era. Recent
history shows the revival of many countries to independence and the
restoration of many countries long integrated with others. These
activities and the general global unrest that characterizes our times,
will contribute towards the inevitable world crises, in which God will
intervene and bring all the world to obey his command.
The Middle East is the hub or geographical center of
the world. Thus the emergence of Israel not only as a nation, but as a
world power, has aroused the interest and indeed hostility of many
nations. Chief amongst these of course are Israel's immediate neighbors
the Arabs nations who dispute ownership of the land. Also involved are
Britain, America and Russia who all have strategic interest in the area.
Arab hostility crystallized in 1948 and Israel was invaded by the combined
armies of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Saudi Arabia with the
intent of 'inflicting a war of extermination and a momentous massacre -
Azzan Paha, Secretary General Arab League [B.B.C 155/48] Although the
Israeli's were heavily outnumbered and outgunned the invading forces were
defeated, and the conflict ended in the signing of a general Armistice.
During 1950-1956 Israel suffered many war like acts
from Egypt and eventually in reply the Israeli army invaded the Egyptian
Sinai Peninsula on 29th Oct '56. The Egyptians were heavily defeated and
but for Russian intervention the operation would have extended as far as
Cairo.
The next conflict arose in June 1967 following
several years of constant attack upon Israel by her neighbors. Israel
crossed into Sinai and during the 'Six Day War Israel won a complete
victory. At this time she also extended her frontiers as far as Jordan and
Jerusalem after a period of 2,000 years once again belonged to Israel. The
Arabs and Egyptians lost a whole army and its equipment in the Sinai sand
dunes. All these events show the hand of God overruling events to bring
about his purpose.
The Jewish occupation of Jerusalem is of
great significance to Bible students. It indicates that the
period of which Christ spoke of when the city would be 'trodden down of
the gentiles is almost completed and will soon make way for 'the times of
restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his
holy prophets. [Acts 3v21]
Despite recent efforts to bring all parties involved
to the negotiating table and bring a lasting settlement and peace to the
region the Middle east remains a highly volatile region and a threat to
world peace. This situation is one that has long been expected by students
of Gods word.
The Bible clearly reveals that God is
controlling the nations and world events according to his plan.
Events that will move forward to the 'war of Armageddon and the time when
God will openly intervene in human affairs. In recent years there has been
a growing feeling among thoughtful people that world events are indeed
moving forward to a crisis point that will be of such magnitude, as to be
totally beyond mans ability to control or overcome. Man is moving toward a
point of no return in the damage he is doing to his environment, violence
in society is rapidly on the increase, distrust and hatred between nations
grows, wars increase, fired by the increase in fundamentalist movements,
and the disparity between rich and poor nations increases. Only divine
intervention can save humanity from destroying itself.
Russia until the 20th century had been a weak state.
The revolution in 1917 changed the course and outlook of the nation and a
superpower was born. Throughout the time of the Soviet Union support was
given by Russia to the Arabs whilst being opposed to Israel. Jews were not
allowed to emigrate to Israel and indeed many faced imprisonment and
hardship. The old Soviet Union has now gone but many of the ex Soviet
states particularly in the south are Moslem and fundamentally opposed to
Israel.
The Bible speaks of a confederacy of nations to the
north of Israel who will invade the land seeking to destroy the nation.
This state of affairs was prophesied long before the birth of Christ. With
so much having already been fulfilled, we can expect the rest also to come
to pass in the near future.
Following the description in Ezekiel ch 37 of
Israel's revival the prophet says:
"The word of the Lord came unto me saying, Son
of man, set thy face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of
Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him." Ezekiel 38v1
It is thought by many Rosh, Meshech and Tubal refer
to Russia and parts of the ex Soviet Union, certainly they lie to the
north of Israel. Now various dictionaries and authorities identify Rosh as
referring to Russia, one example is taken from Russian literature:
'In The 6th Century A.D. different tribes began to
form alliances headed by the most powerful princes. It was thus that the
first state associations arose among the east Slaves. The center of one of
these unions was the tribe of Ros or Rus. The name of this tribe was later
extended to all the eastern Slavs who began to be called Russians and the
territory in which they lived, Russian land or Rus" ['USSR Russian
Federation - Novosti Press Agency, Moscow p12]
The ancient maps of the world identify Meshech and
Tubal as territories that still lie within Russia and the CIS.
Now with regard to Magog, we read in Genesis that
the nations descending from Magog lived settled in ancient Sythia. This is
roughly the territory lying between the rivers Don in Russia and the
Danube in Germany.
We read of a great confederacy of nations that will
come against Israel in the last days:
"You will say, "I will invade a land of
unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people--all
of them living without walls and without gates and bars. I will plunder
and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people
gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the
centre of the land." Ezekiel 38v11-12
We get some idea of the nations contained within the
confederacy from Ezekiel 38v5-6
"Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all
with shields and helmets, also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth
Togarmah from the far north with all its troops--the many nations with
you." Ezekiel 38v5-6
And
"You will come from your place in the far
north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a
great horde, a mighty army." Ezekiel 38:15
So then we see that the invader that will come from
the north in relation to Israel with the intent of destroying the nation
and taking the land for themselves.
These invading nations will be opposed by another
group of powers styled "Sheba, Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish,
with all the young lions thereof." Ezekiel 38v13 It is not to
difficult to gain some idea of who these nations are. Tarshish refers to a
trading nation. The ancient ships of Tarshish traded with India,
Gibraltar, Cyprus and Britain. This and the description of Tarshish as
being a merchant and maritime power point to Britain and the Commonwealth.
Britain is still one of the largest trading nations of the world and the
Lion has long been an emblem of this country. Britain is an 'old country,
the young 'lions representing the English speaking nations. America in
particular is a 'young nation grown up and long independent of the 'mother
country. America also is a trading and maritime power. Sheba and Dedan lie
in what is now much of Saudi Arabia so maybe we get some idea of the
nations involved in these two opposing groups who will begin to commence
the battle of 'Armageddon [Revelation 16v14-16.]
Whilst we cannot be sure of exact events to take
place we know a 'third world war will take place centred around Israel. We
know some of the nations involved. What is certain is the outcome!
HOW GOD WILL INTERVENE
Israel will be invaded, the prophet Zechariah speaks of
the city of Jerusalem saying half the city would be taken:
"I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem
to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked,
and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest
of the people will not be taken from the city." Zechariah 14v2
All will appear to be over for Israel, the northern
invader will appear invincible and no one able to help. But we know from
scripture Israel will not be utterly destroyed an hitherto; as far as the
nations are concerned; unknown power will intervene. God will openly
intervene at last in world affairs, for the salvation of his people. Not
for their sakes but with the objective of bringing to pass all he has
promised to their ancestors and setting up his Kingdom on earth. Daniel
tells us:
"At that time shall Michael stand up, the
great prince which standeth for the children of thy people, and there
shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation
even to that same time, and at that time thy people shall be
delivered." Daniel 12v1
The name Michael means 'who like God and refers to
Jesus who was 'like unto his father. He is the only man who can save God's
people in this time of very great trouble. No one can overcome divine
power or frustrate Gods will therefore opposition to Gods Son will be
futile. Zechariah goes on to say:
"Then the LORD will go out and fight against
those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. On that day his feet
will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of
Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley,
with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south."
Zechariah 14v3-4
The invaders will be utterly defeated by the power
of God as Ezekiel says:
"There shall be a great shaking in
Israel..... all the men that are upon the face of the earth shall shake
at my presence and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep
places shall fall, and every wall fall to the ground. And I will call
for a sword against him throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord God:
every mans sword shall be against his brother. And I will plead with him
with pestilence and with blood, I will rain upon him, and upon his
bands, and upon the many people that are with him, and overflowing rain,
and great hailstones, fire and brimstone. Thus will I magnify myself and
sanctify myself, and they shall know that I am the Lord" Ezekiel
38v19-23.
Mans apparent strength of arms is but puny against
the might of Gods armory:
"I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that
sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as
well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are
gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all
the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. On that day
I will strike every horse with panic and its rider with madness,"
declares the LORD. "I will keep a watchful eye over the house of
Judah, but I will blind all the horses of the nations". Zechariah
12v2-4
and
"This is the plague with which the LORD will
strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will
rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in
their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. On that day
men will be stricken by the LORD with great panic. Each man will seize
the hand of another, and they will attack each other." Zechariah
14v12.
Jewish reaction to their unexpected saviour whom
their fathers 'despised and rejected is described by the prophet
Zechariah:
"I will seek to destroy all the nations that
come against Jerusalem. And I will pour upon the house of David, and
upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of
supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and
they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be
in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his
firstborn". Zechariah 12v9-10.
The supremacy and omnipotence of God will be
unquestionable in the day when Jesus returns to this earth. Not the
'gentle Jesus, but as the 'King of Glory, 'strong and mighty in battle
Palm 24v7-10. In that day:
"the stone which the builders rejected [will]
become the head of the corner ..... and whosoever shall fall on this
stone shall be broken, but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind
him into powder." Matthew 21v42-44.
Jesus will 'grind the resisting nations into dust
and in their place establish Gods Kingdom here on earth. This will
certainly happen just as Daniel foretold - Daniel 2v34,35,44. The divine
advice to all the nations is:
"Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye
perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are
all they that put their trust in him." Psalm 2v12.
War with all its evil consequences is another sign of
the 'last days. World leaders call for peace, indeed in recent months
great efforts for peace have been made in the Middle East and other area's
of the world, but to no avail. Peace treaties hailed and a breakthrough
now show signs of fraying, many troubles still persist, terrorism
continues and talk of war is revived. Throughout the world new trouble
spots constantly appear. There is no lasting peace. Why? Well, it may come
as a surprise to some, but divine revelation states that this will be the
case, it proclaims war is inevitable:
"Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles
[nations] Prepare war, wake up the mighty me, let all the men of war
draw near. Let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your
pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say I am strong." Joel
3v9-10.
Following both world wars people hoped and believed
that nations would develop into a state of mutual respect for each other,
that good will and diplomacy would eventually lead to an 'idealistic one
world. The united nations was born and people hoped for lasting peace. The
reality is that war and preparations for war, continued and will continue
upon an even greater scale, bringing poverty and hardship to millions.
The United Nations Organization is incapable of
solving the problem of war and strife. Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia alone
attest to that fact, let alone Iraq and the Middle East. Man cannot
resolve his problems, because he cannot overcome his own basic nature. Man
leaves out of account the one necessary requirement for peace.
'Righteousness is the prerequisite of peace and as this is a quality
neglected and scorned, it comes as no surprise to see that the history of
mankind shows the exact opposite to peace and tranquility. The word of God
declares:
"When thy judgements are in the earth, the
inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. Let favour be shewed
to the wicked, yet he will not learn righteousness. In the land of
uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of
the Lord. Lord when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see, but they
shall see and be ashamed for the envy at the people, yea the fire of
thine enemies shall devour them." Isaiah 26v9-11.
The words of Isaiah sum the situation up well:
"There is no peace, saith the Lord,
unto the wicked." Isaiah 48v22
When Gods judgement are in the earth men will learn
to live in righteousness and peace. This explains why it is that all
efforts by political and religious movements fail to bring about the much
needed world reformation, which so many do earnestly desire. World
statesmen put their trust in diplomacy, summit conferences and ideals
based upon the belief of a 'universal brotherhood of man. Peace can and
will only come, at the time God has appointed. The time when he shall send
his Son 'the Prince of Peace [Isa 9v6] to set up his Kingdom on earth.
Sadly the vast majority of people have turned their
backs on God, and consequently upon his word the Bible. The result is that
the good influence of the scriptures is virtually non existent. Truly as
scripture says "The whole world lieth in wickedness" [1 John
5v19] and spiritual darkness. This situation is a sign in itself of the
nearness of Christ's return.
Jesus told his disciples that in the day of his return:
"There shall be signs in the sun, and in the
moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with
perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for
fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.
For the powers of heaven shall be shaken." Luke 21v25-26
The Greek word here translated 'perplexity
literally means 'without a passage out. This is
accurately describes the situation in the world today. World leaders
trying to grapple with ever growing and fearful problems, but can see no
way out of the impasse.
Jesus spoke of the "sea and the waves
roaring" and Isaiah wrote "The wicked are like
the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and
dirt" Isaiah 57v20. This so accurately describes the
turbulence and unrest in society today, the ever increasing violence and
disregard for law and order. Many small groups fighting for their own
viewpoint to be heard yet unwilling to listen to alternative views. There
always has been strife and disorder in the past, but today it is an ever
growing and worldwide condition. The daily world scene is one of riots,
violence, religious and racial troubles, increasing crime, terrorism and
war. Society worldwide has never been so turbulent.
It is when such conditions prevail that Jesus will
return for he says:
"Then shall they see the Son of Man coming in
a cloud with power and great glory." Luke 21v27
Jesus also compared the conditions prevailing in the
world prior to his return with the conditions in the days of Noah. Jesus
said:
"As the days of Noah were, so shall also the
coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the
flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,
until the day that Noah entered into the Ark; and knew not until the
flood came, and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son
of man be." Matthew 24v37-39.
We read that this time was characterized by
increasing Godlessness and violence in society. The description of Noah's
world fitly describes ours. The flood came upon the ancient world because
God would not permit that generation to perpetuate their wickedness. In
the same way God has set a limit upon this generation because of mankind's
increasing wickedness in his sight. This world will be terminated, not by
water, but by the return of Jesus Christ and the "great day of God
almighty." A day to remove once and for all the kingdoms of men and
replace them with the Kingdom of God.
NEGLECT OF GODS WORD
The majority of people today have no religion and no
respect for Gods word. We clearly live in a time as Amos spoke of, when
there is a "famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a
thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord".
Amos 8v11.
The rejection of divine guidance and regulation by
the mind of Christ, allows men and women to follow the unrestrained
desires of their own without any restraint or guidance as to what is right
or wrong. Men and women seek after and assert their own 'rights, often at
the expense of others. Each seeks their own standard of moral right and
wrong, with the resulting chaos that it brings. Even those who profess
some belief in the Bible seek to adulterate Gods word by making it
'politically correct or reject parts of the Bible they consider 'old
fashioned or not suitable for our day. In other words they set themselves
up as judge and jury over Gods word. God will not hold man guiltless for
this, but will judge them for their blasphemy.
Jesus plainly tells us:
"Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,
murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness,
blasphemies." Matt 15v19.
The word is full of these things today, the
unrestrained attitudes of mankind leading to so much inhumanity and grief
and this decadent position is exactly as was foretold by God:
"In the last times perilous times will come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural
affection, truce breakers, incontinent, fierce, despises of those who
are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure rather than
lovers of God. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof, from such turn away." 2 Timothy 3v1-5.
How accurately these words describe the situation in
society today. A not very flattering description of the depths to which
men have gone by rejecting the moral guidance of the scriptures and
seeking their own ways. This description explains why people are so
unconcerned and blind to the fact of the return of Jesus Christ. Men have
neither time nor taste for religion. Indeed to accept that they have a
Creator is abhorrent to them. The Gods of modern man are the possessions
and pleasures that dominate their lives. This degeneration will continue
and worsen until Jesus returns and compels the world to change its ways.
AN UNMISTAKABLE PATTERN
The 'signs of the times present an unmistakable pattern
of the shape of things to come. The preliminaries for Gods intervention
are almost completed and Jesus is at the door, ready to take the world by
surprise. Will you be ready?
WHO MAY ABIDE HIS COMING
Seeing the signs and knowing what they mean, begs the
questions, can we remain unmoved by them and afford to ignore them? We can
join the majority of mankind rushing down the precipice of self
destruction, by foolishly closing our minds to these signs that are so
clear in the world about us. To such the return of Jesus will indeed be 'like
a thief in the night.
Alternatively we can take note of the signs and take
heed of the warning before it is to late. Jesus said:
"When these things begin to
come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption
draweth nigh." Luke 21v28
Instead of being disheartened by the state of the
world we can look up and see the great need for redemption. The means of
redemption has been provided by God through Jesus Christ our redeemer. We
can be wise and seek sanctuary in the 'ark of Gods providing. In other
words Jesus Christ. The people of Noah's day were swept away by the flood,
only Noah and his family survived safe in the ark provided by God. Take
refuge in Christ now, before the 'great day of God Almighty'
engulfs this wicked world.
It is important that we treat this subject with
respect and give it the importance it deserves for it involves matters of
life and death - our life and destiny. The Bible offers hope of eternal
life, not as we know it now, but life to serve God in the world as he
intended it to be from the beginning. A Kingdom where Christ will reign in
righteousness and peace, in a literal Kingdom to come on this earth.
The wise will reach this conclusion:
 |
The return
of Jesus is a vital matter. |
|
That the
warning of Gods word should not be ignored. |
|
This
present life gives no lasting satisfaction. |
|
That belief
of the gospel message regarding the Kingdom of God and that
baptism into the saving name of Jesus is vital to
salvation. |
It is for each one of us to individually decide if
we desire to:
"abide in the day of his [Christ's]
coming" the day "when he shall judge between the righteous and
the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth not".
Malachi 3v18.
source; posted by permission of www.biblelight.org
What
is the relevance to us in this day and age, to consider such a small
nation as Israel? Why is Israel so important today?
