"Now learn this parable from
the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves,
you know that summer is near. "So you also, when you see these things
happening, know that it is near--at the doors. Mark 13:28-29 NKJV
I first wrote this column several
years ago but it seems that almost every year I repost it because it simply
seems to be so very applicable to the times and seasons we find ourselves
in. The world in general and believers
in particular, all seem to believe the world is at a tipping point in its
history and we are simply waiting for the match to light the fires of
conflict. We talked last week about the
coming month of July, and the possibility that something major will occur in
the Middle East. Combine that with Jesus
choosing to reference the season of summer in this passage about signs and one can’t
help but wonder if it is coincidence or not.
I find it surprising when so many
ask me why I choose to study and teach on prophecy when there are so many
portions of scripture like this one from Mark that make it clear what Jesus
expects from us. I try to explain to those who question that this is not merely
a suggestion from God, but a command repeated over and over again. As such, I
try to get the point across that if God commands us to watch, it is because He
intends to show us signs that we will recognize as harbingers of the end of
this age. One of the points I have often contemplated concerning this passage
is if it is possible God is giving us a clue as to when the rapture might
occur, as well as many of the other coming signs, when He chooses to use the
season of summer in this passage.
As I considered that, I also was
reminded of something I realized back in the day when I was a history major in
college. Do you know the vast majority of conflicts and wars this world has
seen have started during the summer months? What is my point? I just wonder if
the conflict that God reveals in His Word concerning the future of Israel and
the world, taken along with His command to watch with a reference to the season
of summer, should be a major clue to those of us who choose to obey His command
to watch? Could it be that Jesus is suggesting to us through this passage
in Mark that we should be especially watchful during the summer?
The term “dog days of summer” is
probably familiar to most, yet many are probably not aware of what it means or
of its origin. Actually, the answer to that question is hazy and debatable,
while some believe it may date back as far as the Roman Empire. As to what it
might mean, let me make a suggestion based solely on my own observations and
experiences. One, like most people I have a dog. I also live in a part of the
country which experiences summers which tend to occasionally receive triple
digit heat late in the season. I have had occasion to notice dogs get a little
testy during these days of excessive heat, exhibiting a marked lack of patience
and a tendency to growl and lash out when disturbed. A funny thing though, I
have also noticed here and there that people tend to do the same thing as well.
As I have watched and waited for the
return of our Lord I have noticed that we as believers are not immune to the
same feelings of impatience and irritability that are a common occurrence in
this life. A large part of my watching revolves around research which
necessitates visiting a large number of websites and reading commentaries, blogs,
and letters by other believers who have answered the call to watch. In the past
few years as seasons, watch days, prospective rapture dates, etc. come and go I
would have to say it appears that the collective mood of the body displays an
increasingly impatient, sometimes argumentative and discouraged appearance. Of course, let's also not forget what we have been experiencing in just the past few months.
Now the upside to this is that it is
obviously a sign that the body is anxiously awaiting the rapture and the longer
we wait the greater the relief when it occurs, but we also need to guard our
hearts from allowing the disappointment that we are still here from manifesting
itself in actions which hurt our witness to others, as well as dividing the
body according to positions we might hold because of our individual opinions on
doctrinal issues. I think this is exactly what Paul had in mind when he wrote
the following verse.
Now may the God of patience and
comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ
Jesus, Romans 15:5 NKJV
In this letter to the church at Rome,
Paul gives instructions concerning how believers should relate to one another
in chapters fourteen and fifteen. I think it's very instructive that when
talking about this subject, of all the attributes Paul could choose to describe
our Father he chooses “patience and comfort” to show us exactly what we need to
imitate in order to achieve harmony with each other. Especially helpful to me
is the definition of “like-minded” that we find mentioned here. It is the Greek
word phroneĊ, which basically means
that although we might have an opinion, it is more important to strive for
harmony rather than arguing to the point of causing division.
For many the disappointment of still
being here can lead to discouragement which is an open door to the feelings we
have talked about, yet we do have a reason to be encouraged about the situation
we find ourselves in. In this passage from his letter to the Corinthian church
Paul gives us some instructions we can use to combat the “dog days” we seem to
be experiencing.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even
though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward [man] is being renewed day
by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us
a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the
things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things
which are seen [are] temporary, but the things which are not seen [are]
eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV
Paul says we need not be discouraged
because every day we are being “renewed” whether or not we realize it. The word
for renewed means we are given new strength and the best way I can see to
receive that is to keep looking ahead towards what we know is the promise of
things to come. We are also told we are being prepared by enduring what is
described as a “light affliction”. Now I'm sure many of us might not see it
that way but notice also that Paul tells us that the affliction is for a
“moment” and is not going to last forever. The end will eventually come and
when it does, we will finally see that the eternal was worth what we endured
while here. The best way I know to avoid discouragement is to focus on the
finish, and not the race, or we will stumble and lose heart.
As believers we are not immune to
the emotions living in this world can produce, especially when someone turns up
the heat. The events we have all experienced and witnessed in the past few
months are extremely discouraging and disheartening. Yet these are the tools Satan uses to cause
us to stumble, and by focusing on the promises from God which we have
concerning what lies ahead we can overcome the emotions that come when we feel
the heat. By doing this, we can be prepared for what lies ahead, which I
believe will be a sharp increase in the signs we are told to watch for as the
time for our deliverance from this world draws nearer.
Keep watching.
