JUST AS THERE are natural signs in the physical world, such as dark clouds before a storm, there are also signs of the times found in God’s Word.
In Luke 21:25–27, Jesus said that before the Son of Man returned, there would be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. In fact, throughout most of the chapter, Jesus talked about the signs that would point to His return. Therefore, we need to discern the signs of the times!
People are always prophesying that Jesus will come at a certain time. But Jesus Himself said He doesn’t know the day or hour of His return; only the Heavenly Father knows
(Mark 13:32). However, one thing we do know for certain: Jesus is coming again! And according to the Word of God, there are signs to let us know when the time of His return is near.
The hope of Jesus’ coming is a purifying hope.
DO NOT BE TROUBLED
Let’s look at Second Timothy.
2 TIMOTHY 3:1
1 This know also, that in the last days PERILOUS TIMES shall come.
The expression “last days” is used several times in the New Testament by different writers. Here, the Apostle Paul writes that in the last days, perilous times shall come, and he goes on to list many more signs in Second Timothy 3:3-4. We are living in perilous times right now, and it’s just one sign that the coming of Jesus is near. But we are not afraid because God has not given us a spirit of fear!
Notice in Second Peter that false teachers are another sign of the last days (2 Pet. 2:1–3). A true teacher and minister of the Gospel does not put money first. Sure, he will teach God’s people the Word about giving tithes and offerings because he wants them to be blessed. But there is a vast difference between teaching people the Word about giving and “making merchandise” of them.
In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus provided us with some other signs relating to the end times.
MATTHEW 24:6–8
6 And ye shall hear of WARS AND RUMOURS OF WARS: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For NATION SHALL RISE AGAINST NATION, and KINGDOM AGAINST KINGDOM: and there shall be FAMINES, and PESTILENCES, and EARTHQUAKES, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Jesus said there would be an increase of wars and what we call natural disasters. But He also said not to be troubled when these things come to pass because the end is not yet. All these are just the beginning of sorrows. However, if you look at these signs, you can readily see that His coming is near.
LOOK FOR THE LORD’S RETURN
We can see in many of the epistles Paul wrote that the Early Church was looking for Jesus to return at any time. But there were scoffers who said, “It hasn’t happened yet. Jesus hasn’t returned.” Peter addressed this, saying, “I am stirring up your pure minds by way of remembrance that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day. Therefore, rest assured! He is coming.” In the last days, scoffers will come walking after their own lusts; they are just another sign of the times (see 2 Pet. 3:1–8).
If you don’t believe Jesus is coming again, then it doesn’t make any difference to you how you live. But when you know He is coming, the hope of His return will affect the way you live. The Bible says every man who has this hope in Him purifies himself (1 John 3:3). The hope of Jesus’ coming causes us to purify our lives.
Someone might ask, “Well, why hasn’t Jesus come?” Because He is waiting for the precious fruit of the earth, and He has long patience for it!
JAMES 5:7
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
We, too, should be patient and establish our hearts, for the coming of the Lord draws nigh! Several years ago, I was particularly impressed with this verse of Scripture, and I thought: There is going to be an end-time revival, and people from every nation will be saved! Jesus Himself said in Matthew 24:14, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in ALL the world for a witness unto all nations; and THEN shall the end come.” So there has to be a revival before He comes again. That means a worldwide harvest of souls—of people being saved and born again into the family of God!
PURSUE THE HARVEST
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is another sign of the last days. God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh (Acts 2:14–18). That means all people, including church folk. Therefore, not only will unsaved folks be born again and become children of God, but people will be baptized and filled with the Spirit! You see, God is interested in getting the lost saved, but He is also interested in reviving dead church members—getting them filled with the Spirit and “on fire” for Him. When believers get on fire, they also get to work. They find their place in the Body and help reap the end-time harvest. Revival is not just a matter of folks getting blessed. It is a matter of folks getting blessed and being a blessing. We want to get blessed so we can be a blessing!
Friends, the signs of the times all point to the fact that we are living in the last days. Jesus is coming again. But right now, He is waiting for the precious fruit of the earth. God is pouring out His Spirit in these last days, calling the world to salvation through repentance and calling Christians to get on fire for Him. Scoffers will continue walking after their own lusts until the very end. But make sure that you correctly discern the signs of the times!
If you are truly looking for Jesus to come, it will affect the way you live—because the hope of His return is a purifying hope. So examine yourself and lay down anything of the flesh that hinders you from going forth in the work of the Lord. Be filled with the Holy Spirit and stay full so you can be the blessing God ordained you to be in these last days!
Kenneth E. Hagin
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Kenneth E. Hagin
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