Times And Seasons
Ξ June 22nd, 2008 | → Comments Off | ∇ End Times, Family |
Welcome back!
So many people these days are looking for and likely dreading the end of the world. Some are trying to set dates on when this or that thing will occur as according to the scriptures. The latest person in the news to do so was a man named Hawkins who predicted that the beginning of the end would come on a Thursday this month. That beginning was to include war and destruction. He was wrong. Why is that so important to note?
In Mathew 24, one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, it says that no man shall know the day or the hour. Only the Father knows this for certain, not even Jesus has this information.
(Mat 24:36) But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not the angels of Heaven, but only My Father.
Now I suspect that if the Father is not telling Jesus then it is probable that we humans aren’t going to have a clue until right before it actually occurs. So, date setting seems to be the wrong thing to do. See, if a person is all focused on the one date, their whole life revolves around that date. When it comes and goes and nothing happens, what happens to their faith…in God, in themselves, in what they believe? It is imperative that we live our lives as though Jesus is coming back today but plan for the future as if He may not come back for another hundred years. Do you see this?
We live in perilous times, of that there is no doubt whatsoever. If you do not believe it, look around you. Gas prices are at an all time high and people are struggling to put fuel in their tanks just to go to work. Sometimes, it pays to stay home because the price of gas plus the cost of child daycare exceeds the paycheck. The housing market is reeling from the unwise lending and the loss of so many homes to foreclosure. Security is an issue in this country now that we have been vulnerable to attack on our home ground. Crime is at an all time high. Natural disasters are increasing and intensifying all over the world. For those who say that we have had all this before, do not be hiding your heads in that. This is more and worse than ever before and it is unlikely to change for the better any time soon. That small relief at the pump is going to be gone in a few days. Count on it.
Once again, in Mathew 24, Jesus was clear that all these things do need to come to pass but that we would see an increase in intensity. This is that time.
(Mat 24:6-8) And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for all these things must occur; but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in different places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Did you see that? All these things are the BEGINNING of sorrows. That does not mean the end of all things. It means that this too is a sign for what is about to come.
In the past, when people thought the end was near, not all of the conditions were met for that to happen. Could Jesus have come back in those days? Of course, He could have. The conditions will be there when it is necessary for them to be there. Remember, God is in control here. He is co-ordinating everything. Yes, we do have sorrow and pain. That’s because we live in this sin natured world and as long as it is that way, we will have that. The future must play out in the way intended.
(Mat 24:14) And this gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in all the world as a witness to all nations. And then the end shall come.
One of those signposts to what will come is this scripture. Only through the system of satellites can we now see that this particular prophecy could come to pass. And it is. With all the television ministries plus the Christian networks we are in the days of the whole world seeing the Gospel preached to all the world. One thing that has really made me a bit mad is all the griping and complaining about the television ministries. There are countless news stories about how they are ripping people off and having lots of wealth. Sigh. Has anyone at all thought about the fact that Solomon was the wealthiest person in the world and that only through God was he so blessed? Now, I do not say that all of them are like that but many honorable and honest ministries are doing the things we cannot or won’t do; feeding the hungry, spreading the Gospel.
I suggest that each of you read Mathew 24 over and over again. This is not to be a stand alone chapter but it does give amazing insight to what is about to occur. No, it has not yet happened. But look at the things that have. Read that chapter and try to deny that things are happening as if they were reading that chapter.
Folks, now is the time to get back to the Lord, seek His face, gather together in one accord. Believe and have faith in the Lord Jesus and the Word of God because there is where your answers lie, not in preachers who are human and can get things wrong. Go to the Source of all things and seek Him. Read your Bible, pray and listen to Him. He will tell you the path He has for you in these very perilous times. Now more than ever, we must get in line with God’s Word and live the life He has set for us.
