End Times

“So if someone tells you, ‘Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,’ don’t bother to go and look. Or, ‘Look, he is hiding here,’ don’t believe it! For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near. “Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. [Matthew 24.26-35]

I read all three of the synoptic Gospel accounts of this same event today, and, for the first time in my life, feel like I gained some understanding! Yes!

First, I want to point out that the culmination of all these events is the return of Jesus to gather His chosen ones.

Next, I want to point out that the sign that Jesus' return is the next thing to anticipate is the unmistakable events of the sun being darkened (who will not notice that?), the moon consequently will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky (giant meteor shower?), and all that we think we know about the stability of the sky and the heavens will prove wrong. Jesus is very clear in all three of the Gospels (that record this) that these signs will precede His return to gather His chosen ones! And, between these signs and the actual "gathering" there will be trumpet blasts (commencing the gathering).

It is here, one would think all would believe - when the heavens are shaken. But it is in fact here where those who believe God and those who believe "science" will be divided. Yes, it will come down to that. Those who do not believe God will discount every sign (the sun, moon, stars, and the heavens themselves in turmoil) as purely scientific (perhaps even the result of man's pollution, climate change, etc...). This already sounds familiar, doesn't it? Indeed the stage is being set and everything is lining up even now!

It is here, in the signs in the sky, that believers must train themselves no ignore scientific claims and look for Jesus. The temptation will be great to join in the hoopla of "this is man's fault." It is not man's fault, it is Jesus preparing to come!

For what it is worth, Jesus informed of wars, earthquakes, famines, hatred, betrayal, deceptions, and the likes before the signs in the heavens occur... (Matthew 24.1-25). And these things are indeed taking place now. Perhaps they will worsen before the spectacular sky show begins or not.

Jesus made it so clear. How do we get it so confused?

Father, thank You for opening my eyes today. There is much to be done now because when the final signs begin, I imagine chaos will ensue.