For Thought and Meditation - Friday, September 03

[Pine Baron]

Good morning all. Looking up and focusing on Jesus. What a great message and reminder. Have a safe and blessed day.

Friday, September 3, 2021 - Pastor Greg Laurie
Recognizing the Signs of the Times

“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
—Luke 21:28

If the sky is filled with dark clouds, you don’t have to be a meteorologist to predict that it will rain. Often, I can figure out what the day is going to look like by just looking out the window. (And by the way, bald men are always the first to know when it’s raining.)

It’s the same way with the signs of the times. We can look at events taking place in our world today and essentially see signs that are telling us the return of Christ is near. In fact, many Americans are wondering whether the coronavirus is a sign of the end times.

I think it’s a wake-up call. My friend and Bible prophecy expert Mark Hitchcock wrote in his book Corona Crisis, “prophetically significant events we see today, such as COVID-19, are not fulfillments of specific prophecies but are setting the stage for events that will begin to unfold after the rapture.”

We know the Bible tells us there’s a world leader known as the Antichrist that will come on the scene. He’ll initially be a man of peace with global solutions and economic solutions, but then he’ll require that no one can buy or sell without the special mark that he will give them.

I think we’re seeing things that will ultimately lead to that moment, but I don't think it’s happening quite yet. I do believe, however, that we’re getting close.

Therefore, we have two choices at a moment like this in history: We can look up, or we can freak out. Jesus said, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28 NKJV).

We shouldn’t be looking for the Antichrist; we should be looking for Jesus Christ. That’s where our focus should be right now.

[GhostHawk]

Amen! When we see signs of trouble we should not go running and yelling "The SKY is falling"

We should take a few moments, make sure we are "Right" with our Lord. Make sure we are following his path. Doing his will.

This can be hard to do in today's world. We are used to taking care of ourselves. But only our Lord Jesus can lead us safely through these storms.

[Wayne Smith]

Except that every generation since the first has seen signs and portents that they think apply to the end times. "Many antichrists" - Hitler and Stalin and Mao and Pol Pot certainly qualified - but we are still waiting. My Dad was convinced that Christ would return before he died, but at 81 was willing to admit he may have been wrong! He died at 84 and now knows it all. We still 'see in a mirror darkly' and wonder.

I am certain that God's plan will work out and I'm simply waiting and watching - and trusting in His goodness to care for His Church.

[USMC87]

I have never believed in nor saw a secret rapture in scripture anywhere, We are told though that we will go through great tribulation.

[dverna]

Except that every generation since the first has seen signs and portents that they think apply to the end times. "Many antichrists" - Hitler and Stalin and Mao and Pol Pot certainly qualified - but we are still waiting. My Dad was convinced that Christ would return before he died, but at 81 was willing to admit he may have been wrong! He died at 84 and now knows it all. We still 'see in a mirror darkly' and wonder.

I am certain that God's plan will work out and I'm simply waiting and watching - and trusting in His goodness to care for His Church.

Good post Wayne. People have been predicting end of times for many yerars....But God has His own timeline.

[Pine Baron]

I agree, many times I've heard proclamations of the "end times", pointing to current (at the time) events.
However, my takeaway from today's message, "We shouldn’t be looking for the Antichrist; we should be looking for Jesus Christ. That’s where our focus should be right now."