“because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:31 NKJV
These words from Paul reinforce in my mind the fact that we have received a promise from our Father that there is an “appointed” day in which this world is going to receive the judgment it so richly deserves. The Word of God has also shown us that God never judges without first giving a warning and a call to repentance. The question is, though, who will listen to the warning and recognize that God is talking? From all that we are witnessing today it would seem that most are not as this world fast approaches that time of God’s judgment.
“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:28 NKJV
It should come as no surprise that myself, and others like me, who choose to believe most everything that is occurring in the world at this particular time has biblical implications would question the significance of the disaster of hurricane Ian this past week. To be completely honest, I have a very hard time believing that this disaster occurred when it did as a result of random chance, especially if we consider the timeline of some recent events. The following is an excerpt from Bill Koenig’s World Watch Daily.
Updated: Eye to Eye Chronology on Fiona and Ian - September 14, - September 30, 2022
By William Koenig
• Amid wave of Palestinian terror, leading US diplomat reaffirms commitment to two-state solution, September 14, 2022
• Tropical Depression 7 begins, September 14, 2022 at 11:00 am EDT (becomes Hurricane Fiona)
• Seeking full membership, Abbas says it's UN's 'last chance' to salvage peace role, September 20, 2022
• Joe Biden's speech to the UN General Assembly, September 21, 2022 at 11:08 am ET
• Yair Lapid stated commitment to two-states in UN speech, September 22, 2022
• With call for Palestinian state at UN, Lapid has defined Israel's upcoming fifth election, September 22, 2022
• Biden commending Lapid on Twitter, September 22, 2022 at 3:15 pm EDT
• Biden lauds 'courageous' Lapid call for two-states as US groups push for peace talks, September 22, 2022
• Justin Trudeau tweets approval of Lapid speech, September 22, 2022 at 6:07 pm ET
• Hurricane Fiona could be 'most intense storm on record' to slam into Atlantic Canada, September 22, 2022
• Tropical Depression 9 began, September, 23, 2022 at 5:00 am ET (becomes Ian)
• US Ambassador to the UN reiterates Biden Admin's support for Two-State Solution during Security Council briefing on Middle East conflict, September 28.
• Category 4 Hurricane Ian comes ashore at 150 mph in Southern Florida, September 28, 2022 at 1:00 pm ET
• Ian was on the ground in Florida for 18 hours before exiting into the Atlantic Ocean, September 29 at 7:00 am ET.
• Damage estimate from Ian to total $180 billion to $210 billion, September 30, 2022
“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
If you add to these natural disasters the moves this past week surrounding the attack on the Nord Stream Pipeline, along with Putin’s sham election and annexation of provinces in the Ukraine, I could not help but wonder if God is trying to get the world’s attention considering the number of events which seem to be occurring now on almost a weekly basis. Thinking along those lines, it was logical for me to think back to what Jesus had to say to the Pharisees and Sadducees in the book of Matthew when they asked Him for a sign.
“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
Are we 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 implies that we 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 is that there is 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 we are definitely seeing the labor pains we have been told to expect. If you are reading this and have never made the decision to accept Jesus Christ into your heart and accept the free gift of eternal life He has offered you, I urge you to do so right now. You can do that by praying this prayer and accepting the gift of eternal life God has offered you by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.
Father, I know I am a sinner in need of salvation. I believe you sent your Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin, and I ask you now to forgive me of my sins. I want to receive your gift of salvation so please come into my heart and help me to live and follow you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Keep watching.
