"Are we in the last days" pt. 1

"Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the Angels of Heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered into the Ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be." Matthew 24: 34-39

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of Man cometh.

Matthew 24: 44

"Give me a sign"

Are we living in the last days? This is a topic that people are lately talking about, given the current world situations. When we do, it is often answered with speculation, and misconceptions, raising more difficult questions. Growing up in a mainstream religion, end time prophecy and events, were not taught, and only alluded to, rarely. The book of Revelation was said to be symbolic and too difficult to understand, so it wasn't taught. They were partially right, it is symbolic, and it is difficult to understand, if your looking for a quick answer. Even in a lot of Pentecostal, and charismatic churches, it is given cursory attention, when taught.

Granted, it is a difficult topic to teach and discuss, but not impossible. There are many ministers, teachers, scholars, and theologians,who preach, and teach on the end time events. Many great books and commentaries, have been written on eschatology. Most importantly, as an excellent Teacher and Preacher, that I know says, "may the True Teacher, and True Preacher come", the Holy Spirit will come and help us discern, and learn. This takes a dedication, effort and time. This is by design, how the Lord desires it to be.

Jesus taught His disciples in parables, to get them to think on what he said, to see the Truth, in the things around them, and not to seek a quick answer. To spend time with Him.

In the twenty forth chapter of Matthew, Jesus, sitting upon the Mount of Olives having told His Disciples of the coming temple destruction, begins answering their questions of this event. They come to Him, in private, and ask him, what the "signs" of His coming,and the end of the age will be. His first response to them, is an imperative warning, to " take heed that no man deceive you."(Mt 24: 4) He then begins to tell them of things to take place, many coming in His Name,deceiving many. Wars, rumors of wars,famine, pestilences, earthquakes and natural disasters, sin abounding,and the love of many,growing cold. The signs He is telling His disciples about,are primarily during the Great Tribulation, the time described by the prophet Jeremiah, as Jacob's trouble. These events pertain to Israel and those left behind. The Church is gone.

The Rapture of the Church has taken place (a controversial subject, to be discussed, some other time) The "signs" He describes, have appeared and reappeared throughout the Church age, time and time again. With each passing generation, sin , and the "signs"described seem to grow progressively worse. It was said of the kings during Elijah's day, that each one " did more evil in the eyes of the Lord " than all the kings before them(1 Kin 16). Even in our day, without sincere Repentance,evil can only get worse.

The Lord said of Noah's days, that people,going about life as usual, were unaware of the impending judgement , in spite of the "sign" of Noah's message. The world wants a quick answer, when the Lord wants us to pray and search Scripture. The world wants tangible evidence, "signs", when the Lord says have Faith in Me and My Word. When the Scribes asked Jesus for a "sign", He called them " An evil and adulterous generation " that seeks after a "sign" (Mt 12:39). Will we be a generation that will be found Faithful , or one that is still asking , to "give me a sign"?