“Now
when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your
redemption draws near.” Luke 21:28 NKJV
Lately
it seems that you cannot escape the conversation concerning the state of this
world and events which often defy explanation, especially in our own
country. Within the body of Christ, many
are asking how much worse can it get, and how long will it be before the Church
is removed. Within the body, many are asking whether or not what we are seeing become
acceptable behavior in society has “biblical” implications, or if the events
are simply part of what we could call “normal” everyday occurrences. I suppose that should come as no surprise
considering the words given us by Peter in his second letter.
“knowing
this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to
their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the
fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of
creation.” 2 Peter 3:3-4 NKJV
While the scoffers might well disagree, it seems very
apparent that true believers understand this is certainly not normal, and that
the acts of violence which are becoming an almost weekly occurrence throughout
the world as well as here at home are being orchestrated. Something we can also observe are the
struggles many people are having in trying to explain these events, and the
motivations which produce them. Simply
turn on any news channel or read any commentary in the secular news and you
will find numerous attempts at an explanation, and generally speaking, no
agreement at all concerning why violence around the world is increasing. Fortunately for us as believers, the answer
is clear and spelled out in the prophetic Word from our Father in heaven.
Then
the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them
a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you
say, '[It will be] fair weather, for the sky is red'; "and in the morning,
'[It will be] foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.'
Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot
[discern] the signs of the times. "A wicked and adulterous generation
seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the
prophet Jonah." And He left them and departed. Matthew 16:1-4 NKJV
In
this passage, the word for discern is the Greek word “sēmeion”; which is translated as
“a sign, prodigy, portent, i.e. an unusual occurrence, transcending the common
course of nature”. So let me ask you; do you see what I see? Events beginning to occur that many believe
are unusual and not what you would expect to see if things followed their
natural course? I believe this attitude
of ignoring what is truly unusual is what Jesus was warning us about in this
passage. Jesus had performed miracles
which were “transcending the common course of nature” yet it was not enough for
the skeptics.
“But
concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should
write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so
comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then
sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And
they shall not escape.” 1 Thessalonians
5:1-3 NKJV
Do
you think it would be fair to say that when we as believers see that “bad” is
becoming the norm, the truth would be that for the Church as a whole we could
call it “good”? While the Church, and
all true believers in Jesus Christ fight against evil in all its forms, there
is no denying the direction this world seems to be heading. Is it really
possible that for us, seeing what we are seeing is proof we are living in the
“times and the seasons” Paul is referring to here? Notice Paul begins verse one with the word “But”. This means it is a continuation of a previous
thought, so we need to look back at what he was talking about before. When we do, at the end of the previous
chapter, this is what we see;
“For
this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain
until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For
the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an
archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the
clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Therefore comfort one another with these words.” 1
Thessalonians 4:15-18 NKJV
It
is obvious that Paul has been speaking about the rapture of the Church, the
concluding event of the Church Age which we as believers are expectantly
waiting for. Paul tells his readers two
very important facts which I believe we should take serious note of as we read
these verses. The first is that he
certainly teaches that true believers will recognize the “times and the seasons”. Considering what Jesus had to say about
recognizing the signs of the times, I believe it is logical to assume that God
intends to make it very clear that we are approaching the end of the age to
those who are watching faithfully for Jesus’ return.
The
second thing Paul says is that the signs will be comparable to a woman in
labor, and the pains she will endure before the birth of her child. Something I have noticed before, and
something I am sure most of you would agree with, is that there is usually no
question that a woman is “expecting” because of the visible signs we can
observe. In other words, although the
actual labor pains begin just before the delivery, there are plenty of other
signs that precede it which tell us that a woman is expecting. So those who are watching and expecting a birth
are generally not surprised when the labor pains begin.
“Take heed, watch and
pray; for you do not know when the time is. “It is like a man going to a far
country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his
work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. “Watch therefore, for you do not
know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the
crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—“lest, coming suddenly, he find you
sleeping. “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” Mark 13:33-37 NKJV
Although
some may question if the events we see are the beginning of birth pangs, I
believe the vast majority would agree this world is “expecting” and the "labor
pains" are soon to start. In this case it
follows that to the Church, with the expectation of “delivery” to our eternal
home, the “bad” pains are a “good” thing.
Of
course, while the deliverance from the evil of this world is available to all,
it’s guaranteed only to those who choose to accept it by believing on the
sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
If you are reading this today and have never made that decision, you can
do it right now wherever you might be by simply praying a prayer like this;
Jesus I know that I
am a sinner, and have sinned against you.
I believe you loved me enough to send your Son Jesus to die for my sins,
and that He rose from the dead so that I can live. Forgive me of my sins and come into my life
and help me to live for you. In Jesus’
name, Amen.
Keep
Watching.
