Sign of The Times

 

  When looking into the sign of the times we find that our Heavenly Father gives us plenty of scripture in the new and old testament that gives us the season or sign of Christ’s return. “The end of this world age if you will.” One important statement and warning from the Father is “Blessed are those who study the book of Revelation: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1:3). Now many may tell you that you do not need to read or understand the book of Revelation because it does not apply to us, or you won't be here during the tribulation of antichrist. However, that is man speaking not God. “Did you know that of 404 verses in Revelation that 276 are quoted from the old testament.” So, with that being said, I think we need to include all scripture in the bible and not just what suits man. We need to be realists when it comes to understanding Gods Word and believe that all scripture is sound doctrine. God is long suffering to us that we should all come to repentance and understanding of His Word. (2 Peter 3:9).

  When Jesus sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him and asked what the “sign of the times” would be like at His coming (second advent), and the end of this world age? (Matthew 24:3). The first and most important thing that Christ would tell them was not to let any man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” (Matthew 24:4-5). False prophets, priests, pastors, and teachers of the Word. Also written in the old testament as a second witness and warning to us. (Jeremiah 14:14, 23:21). Christ (The Living Word), comes in the Heavenly Fathers name and people have problems receiving Him. But, if a man comes in his name or (the title of priest or reverend), they receive him. (John 5:43). In most cases they seem so holy, but there is no truth in them. (It is going on in many churches today).

  First off we must believe that Christ will return at the second advent in the end times. He left us when He ascended to heaven to be at the right hand of the Father, but He did promises us that He would return and that we would always be with Him. (John 14:1-3).

  Secondly, we must know that no one knows when Christ will return. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only. (Matthew 24:36). Man may think they know and many predictions and dates are given by man about the end times, but that is just man speaking, not God.

  Thirdly, those who seek a sign of His return (that do not believe or understand), will not be given a sign. Just as the Pharisees and Sadducees wanted a miraculous sign from heaven to prove Christ’s authority. (Matthew 16:1-4). However, Christ does give signs of His coming and of the end times if you understand the truth in the Word. One sign Christ uses is a lesson from nature about the fig tree. (Matthew 24:32-33). The summer is the harvest of the fig tree. (This gives us the season of His return). That is why Christ would say in Matthew 24 & Mark 13, pray that your flight be not in winter. (Matthew 24:20, Mark 13:18), because this would be out of season.

  Another clue in the season of the harvest of the earth and Christ's return. The chute was set in the year 1948 when Judah became a nation. This is the generation of the fig tree. The harvest of the good and bad figs are spoken of in the book of Jeremiah 24. Speaking of Judah and the Kenites. The Kenites being the bad figs. The time is nearing the end of this generation of 1948. Many of the bad figs are rising today in the world, better know as the Locust army or the swarmers. The Lord of hosts hath sworn by Himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; (a devourer, a locust), and they shall lift up a shout against thee. (Jeremiah 51:14). Who are they? The Arbeh, (meaning Arabs). A devouring locust army that is sweeping the world with terror, terrorist recruitment and terrorist acts. “The nations were scattered and the spoil shall be gathered like the caterpillar and the running to and fro of the locust.” (Isaiah 33:1-4), Syria of today!

  Now we know that there are many wars and rumors of wars going on today especially in the middle east. However, we are not to be troubled because all these things must come to pass before the end. (Matthew 24:6). For nations shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these things are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:7-8). It’s taking place right now. Famines in many countries (lack of food and water), Pestilences (diseases of every kind), earthquakes all around the world. Not only is there a famine for food and water in many places, but in the end times God sends a famine in the land for hearing the truth in the words of the Lord. People will seek it, but many will not find it. (Amos 8:11-12). People will thirst for the truth. How many people do you know that are without a clue to what is going on in Gods Word?

  There is a lot of religion out there today, but it is without any power or truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7), this is in the last days when perilous times shall come. “It’s going on today my friend.” Men are lovers of themselves, children are disobedient to parents, there are trucebreakers and false accusers who despise those who are good. False teachers come into your homes through radio, internet and television. Again, a lot of religious teaching, but never come to the knowledge of truth.

  The end will be like in Noah’s day. (Matthew 24:37-39), eating, drinking, partying, and sexual orgies among the people. “Noah’s day characterized by violence, crime, and lawlessness.” (Genesis 6:5-11). Read our newsletter study topic titled “The Fallen Angels” to see why God brought on Noah’s flood. Today it has become like in the days of Lot with sexual perversion. (Luke 17:28, Genesis 19). God warns us: Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. (Isaiah 5:20). In society today we call many things that are evil good and those things which are good evil. Many fall for darkness rather than to seek the light. “Remember that Satan is the prince of darkness, and Jesus Christ is the light of the world.”

  Not lets take a look at the book of Daniel for future prophecy of the end times. And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1). Michael, the mighty angelic prince who stands guard over our nation, will stand and fight for us in heaven against satanic forces. (Revelation 12:7-8). And there will be a time of trouble such as never before. (The great tribulation). Just as the day of Jacobs trouble (Jeremiah 30:7-10), The trouble is for our enemies, not for us. (There's no trouble for those who follow Christ).

  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2). This is one of the most misunderstood verses in the bible. (This is a statement of degradation). "Those who lie dead are spiritually dead." (They are not lying dead in the grave)! At Christ's return, those who are spiritually dead (the unlearned and deceived ones), are ashamed for not learning the truth. At that seventh trump when Christ returns, we will all be changed to our spiritual bodies. However, we will still have a mortal soul till the end of the millennium, the 1,000 years of teaching. Keep in mind that this is future prophecy, but the time is near.

  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:3). Those who are wise, will turn many to righteousness. (God's elect will always try and set an example or plant a seed of truth). People are starving for truth today and they will receive it from those who teach truth and stand till the end.

  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. (Daniel 12:4). Daniel was instructed to seal the book till the end times. A time when many will run to and fro, (which brings about the apostasy), and knowledge shall be increased. And so it is, look at the worlds technology today. However, the knowledge we are speaking of here is wicked knowledge and false teachings. Look at all the false teachings, false doctrines, and traditions of men being taught in churches today. People running to and fro, grabbing onto any new teaching they can that makes them feel secure.
 
  Yes, the great apostasy will take place, and the son of perdition (Satan as antichrist), is coming soon. Let no man deceive you by any means: for the day shall come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Do not be deceived! Christ will not return until the "Great Apostasy" (rebellion against God, fallen away of the church, or one who gives up their professed beliefs). And the son of perdition, one of Satan's names, be revealed. The false messiah! (Revelation 17:8). Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). He will defy God and will try to take the place of God, sitting in the temple of God in Mount Zion. (Isaiah 14:12-16). This has not happened yet, but it is just around the corner.

  Again, it is a sign of the times when people start to fall away from the faith and give in to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. NOW the spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. (1 Timothy 4:1). The Holy Spirit tells us; that in the later times many will fall away (the apostasy), from the faith (the true teachings of Christ), and listen to a bunch of false teachers and traditions of men which leads to the beast mark. Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron. (1 Timothy 4:2). These teachers will tell lies for so long that it becomes part of them and their conscience does not even bother them. They listen to lies for so long that they become seared. (the Greek meaning is cauterized).

  God said that in the end times there would be famine in the land. Well, look around you in the world today. Even in this country, the great USA, children are starving. However, this is not the famine that He was talking about. There is a far worse famine in the land, and it is for hearing the truth in the Word. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, That I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread , nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. (Amos 8:11). And so it is today, many know that there is more to God’s Word than they have been taught. People are starving for truth in the Word because they have been taught a bunch of fairy tales and traditions of men.

  Another sign we can all relate to in the end times is that brother shall betray brother and children will rise against their parents. (Mark 13:12). Again, look around and see the disrespect from children towards their parents in today’s society. The children rule their parents, and very few of them have any respect for the elderly. But, what is this “brother will betray brother” to death. This pertains to family members and friends that are deceived in the Word. They don’t know any better, and in the end time, when one who understands the Word is delivered up to the anti-Christ, it will probably be from a family member who thought they new the truth, but has been deceived all of their lives. And ye shall be hated of all men for My name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Mark 13:13). Yes, you may be delivered up before antichrist, but it is for Christ sake and he can’t hurt one hair on your head. (Luke 21:18, Psalm 105:15). Also notice that it says “those who endure till the end” shall be saved. God wants those who are willing to stand-up for Christianity and remain till the end.

  Not lets turn to the book of Luke and see another sign of the times. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring. (Luke 21:25-27). We have many signs in the sun, moon, and stars pointing to the end. Look at all the satellites and the building of space stations. Space exploration has exploded to a new level. The nations are in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. “Have you noticed any excessive flooding, volcanic activity, and weather changes lately.”

  Now here is prophecy that should get all our attention. The nations were filled with wrath (look around you), but the time for their wrath has come. Christ comes when men have the power to destroy the earth and are willing to use it. (Do you realize that we have the power to destroy the earth eight times over). But, it won’t happen! “Our Heavenly Father won’t let it happen.” His wrath will come upon the earth and prevent it. It is time to judge the spiritual dead and reward the prophets and His Holy people. (Revelation 11:18).

  Wake up people, we need to take heed that we are not surprised at Christ’s return. Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing, drunkenness, and drugs, or by the cares of this life. (Luke 21:34). Study the Word to show your self approved. (2 Timothy 2:15). Our Heavenly Father is not mad at you if you are trying your best and give Him the attention He deserves. “All He wants from you is your love.” (Hosea 6:6). Our reward from Him is that we will never hunger or thirst no more. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Revelation 7:16-17). No more hunger, thirst, or pain. “Eternal life living as we were meant to live in the garden of Eden.."

Keep The Faith,
Barton