Doomsday prophecies are always floating around declaring that a certain day is the “End of the World”. Some has even gone as far to say that Jesus will return on a certain day. Again, those doomsday announcements are out there saying that Saturday, September 23, 2017 is the end of the world or at least the beginning of the tribulation.
I can set your mind at ease; the end of the world will not be this Saturday. It might be today, tomorrow, next year…etc., but chances are not Saturday because no one knows the time that Christ will come.
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Matthew 24:36
I’ve heard that scientist believe that the solar eclipse from a few weeks ago has triggered the strange weather patterns that has been happening including the pending solar flares that are to come. Nature has definitely been acting different. The skies have been showing off their glory. Fierce storms have been raging. Man’s selfish heart has been seen as they try to extinguish those who don’t agree with them.
The end is near but first there must be birth pangs or warning signs announcing its coming.
In Matthew 24, Jesus is telling his disciples about his second coming and uses a parable about a fig tree to get His point across.
If you just watch nature; you can tell what time of year it is or what the weather will do. The old sailors’ poem goes, “Red sky at night, sailors delight. Red sky in morning, sailors take warning. Which has proven to show clear nights and possible storms during the day. When the lifeless twigs in winter begin to bud; spring is near. When the leaves on trees start changing colors and begin to fall; Autumn is here and winter is near.
Jesus uses the analogy of a fig tree branch becoming tender and beginning to put forth its leaves; to declare that summer is near. Just in nature there are signs announcing impending weather or upcoming seasons; when the Second Coming is arriving; there will be signs announcing its coming.
How do we know that Christ is near in coming?
Earlier in the chapter it is mentioned that there will be wars and rumors of wars. Nations will rise against nations. There will be famines and earthquakes. The day is coming when people will hate you just because you are a Christ follower. These are just a few of the perilous events that will happen just before the Second Coming of Christ.
We are in those days and these things must take place. We are promised that we will see these things and even that heaven and earth will pass away, but we should not fear because God is with us and He has promised that His Word will never ever leave us.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. Matthew 24:35
We know without a doubt that we can trust God’s Word. Unpleasant things will go on in this world, but God’s Word does not change.
He has promised us that there will be birth pangs announcing His Second Coming. Those birth pangs or signs have been going on; it’s only a matter of time before He does return in all of His Glory. His Word does not change and will not fade away.
Christ’s coming will arrive like a thief in the night; when one least expects it. These signs that we have been seeing, including this Saturday’s event lets us know that the end is near.
Are you ready for His coming? Have you believed in His finished work on the cross that gives you eternal life? Are you telling others about His coming?
Remember that everything here on earth will fade away, but God’s word will never ever fade away. We can trust what he says to be true. If he says He is coming again and that time is near; we can without a doubt believe it.
By Brian Hill
Downpour Fellowship
www.downpour.me