Luke 21:34-36 – 34“Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; 35for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. 36“But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Matthew 24:3-13, 36 – 3As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. 9Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. 13But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved…. 36But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”
In the series entitled, “Look Who’s Coming” four questions were asked: Do you know Him? Are you serving Him? Are you looking for Him? Are you preparing yourself to reign with Him?
Look at these questions differently:
- Have you entered into a meaningful relationship with God?
- Are you laying up valuable treasures in heaven?
- Are you living daily with a sense of expectancy?
- Are you being led by the Spirit, walking in the Spirit, empowered by the Spirit and manifesting the fruit of the Spirit?
The second series entitled, “Notice the Signs,” is in two parts. There are several ways to look at the indicators of His soon return. Even though no one knows the day or the hour there are hints that it is about to take place.
The simplest and most literal way to examine the signs is to divide them into two groups – the ongoing signs and the closing signs. Ongoing signs are continual. They have been appearing through the centuries. They keep before us the reality His coming has not yet occurred. As long as they continue, the day of His return is before us. Closing signs are events unique at the very end.
The “ongoing signs” cause the church to be mocked by non-believers.
“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.” (2 Peter 3:4)
The unsuspecting often ridicule the consistency of God. What goes unnoticed is the intensity of these signs gradually increases, as the day of the Lord approaches. The frequency and dimension of these signs is slowly escalating and their rate of occurrence is causing little alarm.
One aspect of ongoing signs is natural calamity. Continental land shelves are shifting causing earthquakes and volcanoes to erupt. Scientist state they are occurring more frequently. Weather patterns are changing and causing an increase in ice glaciers’ melting and regions of the world experiencing greater droughts.
Another form of ongoing signs is “nations rising against nations.” Throughout history it has not taken very much to get various people groups fighting. At the end of every major conflict comments are usually made about being a new day; an era of peace and safety. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 warns, however, “While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”
Conflict and war are on the rise around the world. Most clashes go unnoticed by the news media. One commentator wrote twenty wars commonly occur at the exact same time around the world. The writer went on to say sometimes the number goes as high as forty.
These ongoing signs are the reason mockers do not recognize His soon return.
There are a few subtle “ongoing signs” barely being noticed.
An increase of the savior complex. “…Many will come in my name claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (Matthew 24:5)
The world has always had people who claimed Jesus did not finish His mission. Mohammed, Joseph Smith, and Sun Yun Moon stated they were to complete what Jesus’ abrupt death prevented. They failed to recognize Jesus’ mission was to die for our sins.
There are many who believe they are Jesus. When serving as a Bible College administrator, students were assigned ministry at a nearby mental institution. Many found it unsettling the first time they met someone believing themselves to be Jesus. In care facilities across this country are people who regularly make this claim. These are not the kinds of people that will deceive many in the end-times.
Many look for someone to rescue them from the ills of society; someone to come and “save the day.” They are looking for a savior, searching for a savior leader. Of greater concern are leaders with a savior mindset.
Consider the numerous political promises. Politicians spend hours trying to convince people they have answers that will deliver them from their own greed, corruption and immorality. Editorials in leading newspapers give a sense that government leaders should be able to “save” the nation, expecting the impossible.
The antichrist will come with a savior-leader mentality. Leadership, however, is a call to serve. Politicians used to be called, “Public Servants.” Jesus told His followers to be servants, not saviors. One thing is certain: No one is truly able to take credit for something God does. Jesus is the only Savior; the genuine Christ.
As the hour of His return approaches, there will be an increase of “kingdom builders” whose kingdom they build is their own.
The increase of cold love. “…The love of most will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12) The Biblical text is not suggesting no love but cold love; referring to indifference, unconcern, insensitivity and disinterest. Cold love focuses on self-centeredness.
Jesus was asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” He responded, “Love God and love others as you love yourself.”
For centuries the emphasis of the second part was on loving others. In the 1970’s the emphasis changed and some taught, “You cannot love others until you love yourself.” With the intent of creating a wholesome self-awareness, the focus changed to an unwholesome selfish love.
Many fail seeing the bigger problem; people do not love their neighbors. If they did love their neighbor, they would not covet their possessions.
Envy and competition have become the norm of the day. Someone accurately described the problem in this prose: “I was gaining on the Jones. But they’re still far in the lead. Just when I was gaining, they refinanced – and took on a new burst of speed.”
If people did love their neighbors, there would not be the chronic problems of lying, cheating, stealing, rape and murder in society.
This is the day of cold love – selfish love, introverted love, self-centered love.
The increase of falsehood. “…Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.” (Matthew 24:11)
Heroes used to the good, the honorable and the just. In October 1917 Sergeant York made headlines for his heroic efforts during World War One. Out of concern for men under his charge, he did an honorable act. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor and was admired by the nation. He became a hero to his generation and to the soldiers of World War Two.
By the 1970’s movies like “The Sting” (about two con men) became the hero of the day. Heroes were people who achieved greatness through falsehood.
In 1989 a movie became a box office sensation to youth around the country, “Ferris Bruler’s Day Off.” A teenager through falsehood and deception skipped school. He is the film’s hero.
Sometimes the issue becomes debated: “Do movies reflect the moral fiber of society or do movies create the moral fiber of society?” The answer is both.
A “Dirty Harry” cannot make a legal case against a bad guy and becomes a law unto himself. His character is made to appear right by his actions.
Our choice of entertainment considers falsehood as acceptable, if not honorable. Our means of entertainment reveals a misguided society. Wrong is glorified as right.
The increase of no self-control. “…Increase of wickedness.” (Matthew 24:12)
A society without restraint is intensifying. Unable to control various desires, people are looking for ways to fulfill cravings recklessly, carelessly and thoughtlessly.
Tragically many young women, fearing weight gain, become bulimic. I knew someone who did food purging for several years. She attempted to end this deadly habit. Her intestines had shut down and doctors told her only God could repair the damage. Mercifully the Lord graciously healed her.
Many girls are no longer safe in their own homes and, sadly, cannot trust a stranger if their car brakes down on the road.
Civil unrest requires very little provocation. Society has laws on the books but not in the heart.
Lust is overcoming devotion in every area of life. Lawlessness is increasing.
Sadly, “ongoing signs” are manifested by some who claim to know God.
The savior-leader mentality is increasing in churches; cold love is on the rise among God’s people; falsehood is increasingly practiced by believers; and, lawlessness is gaining acceptance.
With an element of pride, some ambitiously attempt to “save the day.” Instead of building the Lord’s Kingdom, they build personal kingdoms.
Indifference (cold love) is rising in believers who were once caring and loving.
Falsehood is taking the place of integrity in churches.
Many who claim to follow Jesus are creating their own standard of living, a lawless standard. The Bible is being shelved as the measurement for acceptable living.
These are signs that “many will turn away from the faith.” (Matthew 24:10) Followers of Jesus must insure spiritual armor is in place and the sword of God’s word is aggressively applied in every situation. The word of the Father (Scripture) is our standard. Jesus is the truth, the life and the way. The Holy Spirit is our strength.
Jesus is coming soon. The ongoing signs of His return are increasing in the world and church. We have a choice: Look at these signs with indifference or anticipation.
Matthew 25:1-13 records a story Jesus told about ten maidens. Ten pure maidens made plans to meet the bridegroom but only five were properly prepared for his visitation and were called “prudent.” The other five were partially prepared and had to make a purchase. The response given to the last five when they got to the party was, “Be alert, for you do not know the day or the hour.”
The parable warns about ongoing signs. Do not get caught unprepared for His coming because nothing appears to have changed. At a time when least expected Jesus will return. Look up!
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