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Discerning the Signs of the Times Matthew. 16:1 ¶ The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. See: The Sign Seekers Rebuked As I write this there is much uncertainty in the U.S. concerning the failure of financial markets. This distress is felt worldwide, because the economies of much of the world depend on the strength of the U.S. dollar. The dollar is only paper and in the near future could be worthless. If and when the dollar fails? It won’t be pleasant. The stage will be set for the appearance of the anti-Christ who will bring forth order our of chaos. I noted a headline today, stating that the governing heads of Germany and Russia are calling for a new world monetary system, because the U.S. system is broken. Jesus had a few things to say about wealth and money. He told us to lay up our treasure in heaven rather than on earth (Mt.6:19-21). God told a rich man that his soul would be required that very night and then asked, “then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12.20). In other words our eternal destiny is much more important than our earthly comfort. Most of us (including me) do not take the scripture so literally as to be contented with just the bare necessities of life, as expressed by the apostle Paul. I Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. However, it seems that things are moving to the point that it will be necessary to have total reliance on the Lord as the provider of just our daily needs. Hebrews 13:5 [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee We may find ourselves praying the Lord’s Prayer out of necessity, rather than by rote. Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread. The Pharisees and Sadducees mentioned in the text above both had their own thing going. They hated each other but they hated Jesus more. They could not discern that God was walking in their midst. He had His own program to fulfill, namely the cross and resurrection. The next thing on God’s agenda is the coming of Jesus and the gathering of the redeemed from all the ages, to spend eternity with Him in heaven. I trust that we all are able to discern that. Jesus mentioned several things that would be taking place prior to Him coming. Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Well, we certainly are seeing the “distress of nations with perplexity” and it seems that with the increase of the ferocity and frequency of hurricanes we are also seeing “the sea and the waves roaring.” Jesus said that when we see these things happening to look up for our redemption is drawing nigh (Lu 21:25-28). Yes, many are hurting and we cannot ignore that, but hopefully this present distress will cause folks to look up to Jesus. His coming will be the biggest event in our lives. Jesus had harsh words for the church of the Laodiceans. They were well off but Jesus wasn’t impressed with their wealth. He wanted their wholehearted devotion. Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. May we all be aware of the words of Jesus and the prophesies of the end times and cry out to Him. He and He alone is our only hope. P.S. Sis. Marie just called me to the window to see a covey of Grouse walking across the yard. They didn’t have a care in the world. Neither should we. Free Ebooks That You Can Download. An Expository Study on the Book of Colossians The I AMs of Jesus Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries
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