Seeing the signs

A question was posted by one of our friends and faithful readers.

The question essentially was this: Why do not more Christians see the signs of His coming and what if we're wrong about these?

Good questions.

Amazing to me how many Christians refuse to read their Bible, they would never study and absolutely never hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6).

It has been said by some scholars that one third of the Bible is prophetic.

We know that there are 300 scriptures that pointed to Christ's first appearing.  The scholars of that day certainly missed it, but they weren't looking.

I have read many who tell us that there are something like 2,500 scriptures pointing to His second coming.

Not a surprising number given the number of books, Revelation, Jude, Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and all of the minor prophets and other selected passages (Matthew 24, 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4, etc...).

If you ask someone to read these, they often bristle at the thought.  Well then just take the scissors and cut these out and throw them away.  Seriously.  If you won't read it and you won't talk about it and you won't listen to someone else, then just be done with it.

Problem - this is God's Holy Inspired Word.  He gave it for a purpose and He expects for us to read, study and share.

Romans 1:18-23 (NASB)

Unbelief and Its Consequences

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22  Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

Everyone I know who has studied these scriptures with any real diligence will tell you that He is coming soon.  No one in this camp (that I've found) believes it's possible that His appearing is more than 50 years away.

Everyone I have read or listen to that is looking at current events in light of scripture believes we are much much closer than that.

Some verses to consider, for those who say "but, no one knows the day or the hour", "you can't possibly know".

John 3:12 (NASB)

If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

         Matthew 16:2-3 (NASB)

But He replied to them, “ When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?

Hebrews 10:23-25 (NASB)

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

We were meant to see the signs and respond accordingly.  Not knowing the exact day or hour is not the same as not knowing the season.

We have previously shared the Jewish holy day theory regarding Rosh Hoshannah / The Feast of Trumpets as the day of the Rapture.  While I am a strong subscriber, my dedication to this theory, certainly doesn't approach the level of confidence I have in the clear teaching of scripture, such as John 3:16, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:38 or Ephesians 2:1-10.

However I believe with great confidence that we are in the season and that the catching away will occur at the fall festival of the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hoshannah).

With all that said, the One God is indeed exceedingly patient:

2 Peter 3:3-9 (NASB)

The Coming Day of the Lord

Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “ Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” 5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. 7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

I believe with great confidence that the events of the last few years all scream warning at His return.  The current events in Israel, Iran, Russia, China, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, Greece, Ireland, the U.S. and others all point to the fulfillment of many scriptures and the launch of World War III.  (Jeremiah 49, Obadiah, Psalms 83, Isaiah 17, Ezekiel 29-39 and others).

Could God slow this down for a couple of years? Certainly.  He has for the last year.  Go back and look at the August-September 2011 posts and see the crescendo that was mounting.

Could the date be September 16th, 2012?  Yes.

Could it be 2013 or later?  Yes.

Does it appear to be later?  No.

Are we to keep having joy and peace, while sharing the gospel until He comes - Yes.

Keep at your work.  Look up your redemption draws near.

Blessings,
Greg

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