In writing my book, Revelation Celebration: A Primer For Understanding God’s Unfolding Plan Of The Ages, I, of necessity, had to study end-time Bible prophecy and related world events. My study certainly made me think about the time in which we live.
Recently, national news focused on a pastor and his following who predicted the rapture to take place on May 21, 2010. Obviously, it did not happen but it did make us think about the time in which we live and end-time events.
Devastating tornadoes with murderous results have been noted all around America. “1000 year floods” have been observed. The Tsunami that rocked Japan and caused a nuclear disaster and loss of life made us think of earthquakes. And “earthquakes in diverse places” was mentioned even by Jesus as a mark of the end times.
But, are these things signs of the end? Or, are they just noticed more in our age of instant communication? Are they just normal consequential occurrences?
Like the pastor that missed the prediction, so, we too, will look rather foolish if we start setting a specific date for the return of Jesus, the rapture, or the end of time. Jesus said that only the Father in Heaven knew the day or the hour. For us to make a prediction is utter foolishness.
But, Jesus did say that, even though we do not know the specific date, we could observe practical signs that would show the discerning spiritually minded person that the time was drawing near.
He used the illustration of birth pangs growing in intensity as the delivery time drew near.
He used the illustration of natural seasonal signs as indication of the approaching season.
He did say that we could recognize the approaching time by subtle signs appearing here and there and with observable frequency.
No, we cannot know the specific date, but we can know when it is getting close.
I remember, as a boy, having an old-timer point out to me how one could know if rain or a storm was coming. He used a little mariner’s poem. It stuck with me and proved true nearly every time. It goes like this:
“Red sky in morning, sailors take warning.
Red sky in evening, sailors be leaving.”
(I did not learn until later that this was an actual atmospheric occurrence)
Likewise, when you see trees budding, you know that spring is just around the corner.
There are many natural signs regarding both the plant and animal kingdoms. We should not minimize the Biblical signs either. Jesus said that, just as one could observe atmospheric or horticultural signs, so we could observe spiritual, Biblical, or end-time signs. We would be wise to take note of them.
You may want to consider the material in my book Revelation Celebration as I list eighteen signs of the end times as backed up by Scripture. You can get the book by searching – Revelation Celebration on Amazon or by going to our website: www.signalhillfoundtion.org.
We cannot know the exact second that the curtains are going to part but we can know it is getting close if the stage is being set, the lights go down, and the music begins to play. We can know when it is getting close to “show time.”
Let us remember the admonishment of Scripture and our Lord, “Be ready for you know not what hour your Lord will come.” Be ready!
