Signs of the Times

Signs of the Times
Words of Faith 3-11-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Mark 13

[3] As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the Temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, [4] "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?"
[5] Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. [6] Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. [7] When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. [8] Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

When will these things happen? Is the end near? Many have asked these questions, and there has always been someone ready to give a quick answer. Even though Jesus was clear that no one would know the day or the hour, this area is ripe for deception (Matthew 25:36). Just consider some historical examples.
In 1843, New England preacher William Miller confidently announced to his followers that on March 21, Jesus Christ would return to the earth. His devoted followers donned their "ascension robes," trekked into the mountains, and climbed towering trees to get as high as possible so they would have "less distance to travel through the air" when the Lord returned to take them home. But the day came and went. The Lord did not return. Finally, a dejected band of Millerites trudged home on March 22. Though they were ridiculed, Miller's followers tried again for a rescheduled return of Christ 365 days later, only to be disappointed again.
Edgar Whisenant published a little book predicting the Rapture in 1988. The book sold 4.5 million copies in the U.S. and an unknown number in foreign language editions. Of course, that date came and went as well.
Surely, people would learn. But in 1992, building contractor turned radio evangelist Harold Camping published his prediction that the Lord would return in 1994. Then, as the year 2000 approached, the Y2K End of the World phenomenon took hold, and people purchased MRE foods, generators, and guns to prepare for an end that did not come.
Of course, a more recent prediction of the end of the world was on December 21, 2012, according to the Mayan Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. Sadly, that day, great parties in urban centers were marked by debauchery as people threw aside inhibitions in anticipation of the world's ending.
We are likely to hear more and more predictions. Such predictions effectively fleece people through massive contributions. The truth is that we do not know the time or the hour, but Jesus gave us a few signs that we can watch.
Jesus said we would recognize the beginning of the "birth pains." It is a powerful image that many can relate to. The labor may be long, but these signs are the beginning of birth pains. It is essential to remember that most of these signs happen throughout history. Still, there is this difference: the signs will increase and intensify right before the end of Jerusalem and the end of the world.
We are to watch for these signs:
1) Spiritual deception and false messiahs (v.6).
2) Wars and rumors of war, international disturbances (v.7-8).
3) Natural disasters (v.8).
Have you seen any of those lately? Any sign of those things in our time? These signs actually preceded the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. but also shall precede the day of the coming of the Lord.
Christians often talk about the coming of the Lord as an understood reality, but do we really live expectantly watching for the signs? Do we live expecting the imminent return of the Lord?
We live in a time of intense "signs ."There are a myriad of spiritual deceptions even within the church. Pastors and leaders are persecuted for standing for what is right, and congregations are threatened for confronting heresy. Bizarre cults plot the disruption of society, terrorist threats, or mass suicide. Has there been a week without a war or a rumor of war? Earthquakes, hurricanes, tidal waves, famines, droughts, raging fires? Indeed, this is a time to live expectantly and watchfully.
Here is a question: If you knew you had about six hours until the Lord came back-- you knew for sure-- what would you do? Would you make a call? A visit? Tell someone about Jesus? Is there one thing you would regret not having finished or said? Then, why not do it. Today.

Lord, I am choosing to live this day not with despair but with hope. I am choosing to live this day with expectation. I am choosing to live this day without regret. I have decided to do the things that count. Give me courage. Come, Lord Jesus.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2024 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.