Signs of the Times

Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Mat 24:8 All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.

WOW! WHAT A PASSOVER WEEK! The song, "Midnight Cry," has a line in it which says, "The signs of the times. They're appearing everywhere." It seems so true this week. Just this week, we were having signs appear almost every day that point to the fact that we are living in the Last Days.

Jesus said there would be "wars and rumors of wars." Well, this week, our President was out trying to drum up support for escalating the War in Afghanistan the same time that Netanyahu of Israel is warning of the consequences of a nuclear Iran and Israel's intention to defend herself.

He said that nation would rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. I've talked before about the change in warfare, and how these terms have both to do with race and ideology. Even tonight, they're trying to resolve a conflict with Pirates from Somalia who've hijacked a food ship carrying supplies to the famine victims in Kenya. This ties right in with Ezekiel 38 and 39, which tells us that Persia, Ethiopia (Cush) and Lybia will join with Gog and Magog against Israel in the last days. Cush settled the coastlands of East Africa in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Suday. Sudan and Somalia, in particular, are Muslim countries that are persecuting Christians at this moment.

Jesus said there would be "earthquakes in divers places." Just this week, we had a 5.1-6.3 earthquake hit Northern Italy that left 200 dead and the country in shambles.

Luk 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

He said, that the waves of the sea would be roaring, signifying the violent upheavals in nature. We had violent upheavals in nature here at home with flooding in the North Midwest, and tornadoes here in the South. Is God trying to get our attention or what?

Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

It seems that daily, the birthpangs are intensifying and becoming more frequent. And that is exactly what Jesus was saying in the previous verse - "When they begin to happen in rapid succession (literal translation) then look up!" This world is longing for the return of Messiah, Jesus Christ, and the removal of the curse of sin. It longs for the Lamb who is worthy to take the scroll, to return with scroll in hand, and execute justice and righteousness in 1,000 yrs. of peace! We need to get ready, because Christ could literally come at any moment! We patiently and eagerly await that awesome event, the Rapture of the Church!

Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!