For example, I saw a man on the street segment with university students who could name celebrities for current reality shows and song contests but could not identify well known world leaders. They know much about the cultural trappings but very little about the people and events that are shaping the world around them. It can be a very limiting view of life.
Throughout Scripture we are reminded that it is important for us to be aware of what is going on around us. God is speaking and giving us signs about world events and many will be unaware of them. Not because they cannot know but because they are not looking. Daniel was told:
9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. Daniel 12:9-10
Wise people will be aware and understand when they see things happening. Jesus indicated the same thing when He said to the Pharisees in Matthew 16:
The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
He goes on to say that it is a wicked generation that can tell weather and other related things but cannot discern the signs of the times. So what does all of this have to do with us today?Last night the first of four blood moons that will occur on Jewish high holy days over the next year appeared. John Hagee has written a book about them and what has happened over the past five hundred years when such a rare event occurred. I believe they are a sign of the times. Russia has made an alliance with Iran, which is ancient Persia. In the past they have been enemies. Ezekiel 38 indicates that there will be an army come against Israel, including troops from modern day Russia, Iran and several African nations, including Sudan. It is interesting that Iran also has formed a relationship with a former enemy, Sudan. I believe it is a sign of the times. Birth rates in the largest countries in Europe are trending in such a way that they will be predominately Muslim within the next 20-30 years. This will make the European Union, if it survives until then, pre-disposed against Israel. I believe this is a sign of the times.
All of these things are macro in nature. There are many other observations that could cause us to conclude that world events are hastening toward the coming of Christ and the end of this world as the Bible describes it. I am not seeking to instill fear of any kind here nor am I trying to encourage an unhealthy interest in making predictions about who the Antichrist is or about a date when Jesus will return. I am just saying that we have to be wise and aware and living with a sense of urgency about our mission as we long for and hasten the day when Jesus will return. We must live looking forward to that day, not in fear. And we must be found prepared and ready when He comes. Here is Jesus' reminder for us in Luke 12:35-40:
35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready,because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
All of these things are macro in nature. There are many other observations that could cause us to conclude that world events are hastening toward the coming of Christ and the end of this world as the Bible describes it. I am not seeking to instill fear of any kind here nor am I trying to encourage an unhealthy interest in making predictions about who the Antichrist is or about a date when Jesus will return. I am just saying that we have to be wise and aware and living with a sense of urgency about our mission as we long for and hasten the day when Jesus will return. We must live looking forward to that day, not in fear. And we must be found prepared and ready when He comes. Here is Jesus' reminder for us in Luke 12:35-40:
35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready,because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
