The Times In Which We Are Living

1Corinthians 10:11 - Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 

There are those who study Bible prophecy. They read headlines and take note of what’s happening in the world and compare it to what the Bible has already said would happen. Some is speculation; not all is perfect prediction. But…we can know the times in which we are living. The Bible tells us that these things were written as examples for us today. The Bible in general was written that we may know what God desires of and for us. It points out right and wrong ways to live. It also shows us the signs we need to be looking for.

Don't bypass the scriptures. They are not difficult to understand. There are so many more that say the same things. One just has to want to understand. God has said that wisdom is the most important thing we need to have. But not man's wisdom, but His. 

We are seeing an unusual display of events with the Covid-19 disturbance. No one has definitive answers, yet. Media, as they are wont to do, can exaggerate, in either direction. Who do we believe? I know I am not the only one who realizes that we cannot trust man or his words implicitly. But I also know that others would agree that we can know what the truth is because it is in the Bible. The Bible tells us if we are in Christ we need not fear because He will be our protector. He is our only Rock of salvation. He knows the end from the beginning, which man cannot. (We can see based on events of the day compared to what the Bible says where we are in the grand scheme of things; we just won’t know the absolute end. Only God knows this.) He calls us during these times to seek Him....because He IS our only hope...for those who trust and believe in Him.  I just don't know how much more I can explain that simple promise. 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) There is a very real evil that manifests itself in all the junk happening in the world. He is also very subtle, using things that seem very innocent to deceive. I won't go into all that. But, thankfully, there is also a very real good in the form of God or Jesus who will fight this enemy someday...and win. But that win is only for those who have overcome by the blood of the Lamb.  And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (1Peter 1:17-19)

What will the signs look like? What might we be seeing today?

And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Luke 21:26)

And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. (Luke 17 26-27)

What God may be pointing out above is no one looks to Him for answers. Man thinks man can take care of all this. So they look to man and continue to live as they always have…without regard or acknowledgment that there is a God out there who really does have everything under His control. But man doesn’t always want to recognize that. Voting in the right party or stashing away money, hoarding food and supplies will not cause us to always be safe. And I know this is not something people like hearing. The name of Jesus and His Word is an offense even to those who don’t hate God. But if we are not looking to Him for the answers, and we don’t like what He has to say (Bible), there is a problem. It’s not my problem; it’s not God’s problem either. It is a problem with anyone who doesn’t want to choose Him or truly believe or trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. The one who puts their trust in the things of this world and of man has no hope. It's that simple and true. It's like the people did in the days of Noah, a truly terrifying story.  (Genesis 6 and 7) 

Jesus will return some day. (Matthew 24:3-31) The days we are living in seem to point to this; actually for years we have seen evil abounding more. Lifestyles have changed. In some cases we’ve become very relaxed in our way of life; we’ve become spoiled. When that happens there is a false security that life will always be great (and that any country can be made great again) and that any little hiccup in life will be overcome. Think about all the natural disasters over the years that have escalated. Think about the number of abortions on a yearly basis. Think of the violence. Think of the type of entertainment we are now seeing on television and in the theaters. Think of the language being used. Think of how God's name is spewed as a curse. Think of homosexuality. It's a growing... We can believe that as long as it doesn’t affect me it’s okay. But that’s not what God thinks. He calls many things that people suggest we be tolerant of abominations. That’s a strong word. 

We have seen when times are bad churches can be filled with those seeking God. But when things get to normal, they go back to their life as usual, what they are accustomed to. God can bring about evil to bring good. The best that could come of evil is a heart that turns to God. That’s all He wants for this sinful, and growing more so, world. Jesus died that we would always have the hope of eternal life. He doesn’t want anything but our hearts. In return for our turning to Him, repenting and believing in Him, humbling ourselves, and trusting in Him, He gives us assurance of eternal life. Death may come in some way but we need it fear because He will be beside us.

We are living in trying times. Man has ever been going against God, since the Garden of Eden. There has always be a small number who seek Him. Sin is escalating and it is just a matter of time when God has had enough, and as I have heard and read, that last person is saved. Who will that last person be? Who will truly be heading toward a glorious reunion with God? Who will take Him seriously enough to seek Him and follow Him…and endure until the end? The argument is, we’ve heard for a 2,000 years Jesus is returning. People (idiots might I even say) have predicted His return and it has proven to be false. We are to beware of those false prophets. We cannot know the day or hour, but we can know the times in which we are living. The fact is, He will return. Will you be ready? Do you turn away from the things of God or His Word? Don’t do it. 

A day will come when His Church, those people who have believed, followed, shared His Gospel, endured the criticism, endured rejection as Jesus did, will be taken out of this world. When that happens things will get worse than we have seen now. What seems disastrous today will not compare to that day. The Bible mentions birth pains. I believe we are living in a time of those birth pains. While this all sounds like doom and gloom and nonsense, I know what good is on the other side for those whose hope is in Christ alone, not government, man, self, money... That good is the end of this world and the beginning of a new life with Christ, who has returned, in a new earthly situation. All evil will be removed for 1,000 years. It will be as it was intended all along, like the Garden of Eden. THEN…the promise of heaven. Only Jesus is our hope. Call on Him. Be serious about it.

Romans 15:4 - For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.