He totally missed the signs

A couple of days ago I was coming out of the Family Y after a quick lunch workout when a van slowed down, then stopped and the driver asked me if I could tell him where the Y was. I told him, “This is it.” Then I thought how could he have missed it? He was directly in front of it; in fact, he circled around right in front of the door. To get where he was, he had to drive right by the large sign out front that says “Family Y!” As I got in my car I looked up at the building and all across the top border were Y decorations stamped in the brick. There is no way anyone could have missed the fact that this was the Y, unless he was blind. As I drove off I started mulling how unusual it was for a male to even stop and ask directions. That whole experience was weird.

You’re bright. You know where this is going. People are always looking for a sign or signal; something that might reveal the future for them. If they knew what the future would be for them, would that make a difference? They seem to think so. Anyway, people are fascinated with the future, but many are missing the most important signs.

I think the guy looking for the Y and missing all the signs models the people Paul refers to in 1 Thessalonians 5 when he states:

Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you.  For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

We know there will be signs pointing to the end because Jesus listed several of them in Matthew 24. But, there will be a bunch of people who will miss it completely no matter how close they are. They’ll drive right by it. Paul adds:

But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.  So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

The signs of the end are hidden from those who walk in darkness but revealed to those who walk in the light of God. Holy Spirit revelation impresses knowledge of these things on those who are born-again members of the kingdom of God. For a list of the big signs read Prophecy Dudes Signs to Watch for the Last Days

I think what I really like about what Paul states is the fact that first of all we won’t be surprised, and second of all we won’t receive the outpouring of anger which I believe is the wrath of God that comes upon those who experience the tribulation.

Since we are aware of the signs there comes a high level or responsibility. One of the signs of the end is the fact that the Gospel will be preached to the whole world. There are lots of signs showing fulfillment of this promise:

• HCJB affiliate brings Gospel in two more languages
• Chinese Christians aim to evangelize Muslim world
• Prayer fuels JESUS film success
• Online Evangelism Ministry Reaches 687,000 in One Day
• Bible Translation to be Launched in Two Unreached Regions
• Underground Chinese Church Goes Public
• Jewish Pentecostal Reaches Jews with the Gospel
• Translator Says Bible in All Languages Possible Soon
• Biblica Rolls Out Chinese Contemporary Bible
• Dreams and visions pointing Muslims to Jesus
• Haitian Village Trades Voodoo for Jesus
• Wycliffe Raises $250M for Last 2,000 Bible Translations
• Former Muslim: Mullahs, Imams Coming to Christ in West Africa
• Charismatic Pastor Says Michigan Muslims Open to Gospel
• Evangelists Say Muslims Coming to Christ at Historic Rate
• Ministry Reports Outpouring of Miracles in Nigeria
• An Iranian Awakening
• Over 23 million Christians in China, official survey shows
• Scripture in Heart Languages is Causing Revival Wherever It’s Heard

I believe that even as sin and darkness abound, the grace of God will be greater in the last days. I believe there is a latter rain outpouring that we are on the verge of seeing, and that it has already started “raining.” I believe this is the church’s final and most important hour—not to sit and wait for the Lord to return, but to be about the Master’s business in reaching the lost. He has supernaturally equipped us. We just need to do it, shake off the blindness and see the signs. We shouldn’t have to ask for directions if the Spirit of God is in us to guide us and the Word of God is available to us to push back darkness so the light can shine (2 Corinthians 4:4).

PD

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