It'd be great to sit and wonder at the works of the hand of the Lord. The awesome, beautiful, glorious and creative abilities of God. His capacity and overwhelming intelligence to hold everything in place by his very WORD. The wonders of his mighty works. The abounding love he has for his creation and ultimately mankind.
But the wonder in which I contemplate today is "Do his people really understand the SIGNS of the times in which they live".
He gave us signs to watch for in the WORD.
Matthew 24:3-11 v3) 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? v4) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. v5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. v6) 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. v7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. v8) All these are the beginning of sorrows. v9) Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. v10) And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. v11) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
How many wars of nation against nation are going on today? How many nations are in starvation mode, and how much sickness and new diseases abound, bird flu, swine flu, mad cow disease to name a few. How many earthquakes and natural disasters take place each week, count them?
Neighborly love will be replaced with hatred.
Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity (nothing against the law) shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
This scripture is not about the breaking of laws like robbery, murder and assault, but the LACK of things that are actully against the law. Look at today's laws. Everything is being promoted as legal and acceptable, it's the "live as you wan"t lifestyle.
Too many Christians are assleep in this hour or are consumed with self, possessions and things.
Matthew 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe (Noah) entered into the ark.
People are all about life and doing and having. There is nothing wrong with "ENJOYING" this life. It's my conviction that God wants us to enjoy it. But not be so consumed with it that we don't look for his coming or tell others about Jesus and grace and salvation.
And the final sign of the Lord's return is:
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Do you realize that via tv, radio and the internet that we are just months away from this Gospel being preached to every corner of the earth? This was unheard of twenty years ago. This age of technology and world travel we "LIVE" in fulfills another scripture.
Daniel 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
But I assure you he will return:
Revelation 22:20 He (Jesus)which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen.
ARE YOUR EYES REALLY OPEN!