Signs Of The Times: As we look at some of the things God’s word shows us concerning the end, it’s important that we stay humble, teachable ambassadors for our King and OCCUPY until HE RETURNS!
While we’re on this planet, each of us has the opportunity, should I say, the responsibility to impact someone’s life for God.I know I say this all the time but it’s the reality we need to make our minds up about, Jesus told us. “OCCUPY TILL I RETURN!" So as we look at some of the things God’s word shows us concerning the end, it’s important that we stay humble, teachable ambassadors for our King.Unfortunately, there’s so much speculation, opinion, incorrect interpretation, unbelief, and confusion, so there’s no wonder we don’t hear much on the subject.
Matthew 16:1-3 (NKJV) 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
So according to Jesus, if He expected His people to be able to recognize His first coming, He absolutely expects us to be aware and ready for His next one. And make no mistake, the Bible is full of clues, signs, revelations, insight, and even specifics about this day.
So if we know that the day is closer than ever before. Then as His body is on the planet, it’s our job to have as many as possible ready for that day.In 1 Timothy Paul instructs us to pray for all men, especially those in authority. Then in chapter 2:4, he says, because God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Here’s something every disciple has to be aware of, if we’re supposed to recognize this day, the enemy absolutely recognizes it and will be as relentless as possible in keeping us distracted about it. And his primary tactics are deception and fear.
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NKJV) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
There is still a hell to avoid!! Let’s not forget, we have a very real enemy who has had way too much success deceiving the church into thinking his kingdom is not a reality, and as far as this thing wrapping up, we really don’t talk about it. Don’t kid yourself, he is the master of distraction. And that’s exactly what’s happening around the world, as well as in the church.
Matthew 24:42-44 (NKJV) Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
We are closer than any generation to the things Jesus told us to watch for concerning His return. So don’t think the enemy won’t do everything possible to keep people from these truths.2 Peter 3, Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 2 Timothy 4:3 (NLT) “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.”Truth is, evil hasn’t really changed its look throughout history and he knows that if he can keep us divided, he can keep us weak.
Here’s something Jesus said that we have a tendency to overlook, Matthew 16:18, I will build My church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.Over the years so many have interpreted this as meaning hell can’t come against the church. But gates represent the entrance into a place…Remember, we are no longer of this world.Not only can the gates of hell not stop us, but when the kingdom of darkness tries advancing, we, the church are the restrainer stopping the kingdom of darkness from just having its way.Remember, Jesus told us in Luke, I’ve given you authority over all the power of the enemy. That being said, we’ve got to be able to discern our season. Recognize the signs of the times.
Something we must remember, He’s returning for a glorious church. And as the world around us grows darker, according to Proverbs, The way of the righteous is like the morning sun, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.Here’s a reality everyone will have to come to terms with, during Jesus’ first coming, there came a point where His disciples had to make some hard decisions concerning their faith, and their lives.So as we peel back a few layers of this revelation, let's remember, God, desires all men to be saved Our mission is people! Yes, we are to watch, be aware of, looking for our Master's return. But not just for us to get out of here, seriously, we do no one any good if that’s our only motive.
So as we unpack our subject, first and foremost, Paul says, we must rightly divide the word of truth. Jesus, Paul, and Moses said, in the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses let every word be established. At the end of the day, the Bible has to agree.When studying God’s word, Paul tells us in Corinthians, Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the Church of God
A couple of things we should know about the book of Revelation. The first is that it is singular. It’s one continuous uncovering of the return of our King.The title, Revelation simply means uncovering, revealing of truth.It is the omniscient God’s record of history in advance. And don’t forget, Jesus Himself told us it has been given to us to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.Revelation 1:3 (NKJV) “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”Also, Revelation, Matthew 24, and Daniel all go together for a much clearer insight.
Matthew 24:3 (NKJV) Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?When will these things be?What will be the sign of Your coming?What will be the sign of the end of the age?Matthew 24:36 (NKJV) “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”
Remember, according to Jesus, only the Father knows when. But he still told us to be watchful and ready.Revelation 1:19 (NKJV)“ Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.”In revelation 4, John says, “after this” after his revelation of the church, John is taken to Heaven, and the church isn’t mentioned again in the book.And even though Revelation is filled with typology, it still has to line up with the rest of the book. As we said earlier, the church is the restrainer stopping the kingdom of darkness from just having its way. So he can’t just have his way as long as we’re still here and operating in our authority.Let me add this while I’m here. The next prophetic event to take place will be the departure of the church. Just like the type of that with John in chapter 4. But there are a number of other examples of being called up. Jesus Himself, the apostle Paul. In the Old Testament, Enoch, and Elijah 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NLT) And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.We have to get this settled, Jesus’ return will be just like His first time here. This event Paul is telling us about is us, the church going to Him.