SIGNS OF THE TIMES?

 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Matthew 24:6-8 (NIV)

                I am not a futurist or one who obsesses over prophecy fulfillment. Throughout my ministry I have shied away from trying to make predictions about the future or interpreting current events in the light of some biblical prophecy. But recent events have gotten me giving serious thought to where we are headed.

                The current global pandemic does not seem to be going away anytime soon. For all of our efforts to curb the spread of this virus, it continues to infect thousands of people every day. Although the number of deaths from COVID has decreased, people are still dying daily.

                On another front, I am paying close attention to what is going on in Ukraine. I have a personal interest in Ukraine because of my many years of ministry to the people there. Daily we are hearing about Russian troops massing on the border of Ukraine. The threat of war is very real. World leaders are scrambling to avert a major conflict, but Russia continues to push forward.

                The book of Revelation reveals, in symbolic language, the pathway that the world will take as it approaches the end of time. It outlines three cycles of seven plagues each, which are poured out upon the earth. These plagues include pandemics and wars. Each cycle increases the intensity of the plagues. Throughout the book there are two clear messages that God is giving us. The first is that God and His church will ultimately prevail. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ will be the ultimate victors, no matter what circumstances they have to face. This was an encouraging and empowering message to the early church, to whom this letter was addressed. It should be an encouraging message to us as well.

                The second clear message of Revelation is a call to repentance. God is allowing these crises to continue and increase in order to awaken people’s need for a Savior. As long as there is still time on the clock there is time to repent. There is an earnest plea for people to repent and avoid the final judgment, which will come at the end of time.

                Many people have spent countless hours trying to discover the contemporary equivalents to the images given in Revelation. Every generation has speculated about the identity of the Beast and the Antichrist. End times seminars and books have proliferated. Yet Jesus made it very clear that all of our speculation is pointless. “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36 (NIV)

                Given that reality, Jesus instructed us, not to figure out the signs of the times, but to prepare ourselves for what is to come. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24:42 (NIV) Jesus calls us to get busy doing the things He has commissioned us to do. And when He returns, He will find us faithful. “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.” Matthew 24:45-47 (NIV)

                As we observe the signs of the times, it should motivate us to increase our efforts to advance and strengthen the Kingdom of God. We can look forward to the final victory, which Jesus will usher in at His return. But we should also do our part to bring as many people as we can with us. We don’t know when Jesus is coming, but we know He is. He is patiently waiting for people to turn toward Him in faith and be saved. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) Will we be ready when He comes?

 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NIV)