| about future (AND CATASTROPHE) | 
|
re:tell
Long before I married, I knew the importance of reading the signs of your spouse. Wise is the man who learns the nonverbal language of his wife, who notes the nod and discerns the gestures. It's not just what is said, but how. It's not just how, but when...
Long before I married, I knew the importance of reading the signs of your spouse. Wise is the man who learns the nonverbal language of his wife, who notes the nod and discerns the gestures. It's not just what is said, but how. It's not just how, but when. It's not just when, but where. Good husbanding is good decoding. You've got to read the signs.
I thought I was doing a pretty good job that weekend in Miami. Just a few months into our marriage we were hosting company in our apartment. I'd invited a guest speaker to stay with us on Saturday night. Risky move on my part since this man wasn't a college chum; he was an older, distinguished professor. Not just any professor, but a specialist in family relations. Gulp! Our new family was going to host a family specialist!
When Denalyn heard the news, she gave me a sign, a verbal sign: "We better clean the apartment." Then she issued a second sign, a nonverbal sign. She got down on her knees and began scrubbing the kitchen floor. Much to my credit, I put the two signs together and got the message and got off the couch.
"What can I do to help?" I thought. Never one to tackle the simple jobs, I passed on dusting and vacuuming and looked for a more challenging task. After a diligent search, I thought of the perfect one. I would fill a picture frame with pictures. One of our wedding gifts was a collage picture frame. We hadn't even unpacked it, much less filled it. But all that would change tonight.
So I got to work. With Denalyn scrubbing floors behind me and an unmade bed beside me, I dumped a shoebox of photos in front of me and started to assemble the pictures. (I don't know what I was thinking. I guess I would have told the guest, "Hey, step over the laundry on the floor and look at our photo collection.")
I had missed the message.
When Denalyn, with a chill in her voice that would have frozen perdition, asked me what I was doing, I still missed the message. "Just making a collage of pictures," I replied joyfully. For the next half-hour or so, she didn't speak. No problem. I assumed she was praying, thanking God for such a thoughtful mate. I imagined her thinking, "Maybe he'll work on our scrapbook next."
But such were not her thoughts. My first clue that something was wrong was her final pronouncement of the evening. Having single-handedly cleaned the entire apartment, she announced, "I'm going to bed. I'm very upset. Tomorrow morning I will tell you why."
Duh.
Sometimes we miss the signs. (Even now some good-hearted yet clueless male reader is wondering, "Why was she upset?") You'll learn, my friend. You'll learn. [show less]
I thought I was doing a pretty good job that weekend in Miami. Just a few months into our marriage we were hosting company in our apartment. I'd invited a guest speaker to stay with us on Saturday night. Risky move on my part since this man wasn't a college chum; he was an older, distinguished professor. Not just any professor, but a specialist in family relations. Gulp! Our new family was going to host a family specialist!
When Denalyn heard the news, she gave me a sign, a verbal sign: "We better clean the apartment." Then she issued a second sign, a nonverbal sign. She got down on her knees and began scrubbing the kitchen floor. Much to my credit, I put the two signs together and got the message and got off the couch.
"What can I do to help?" I thought. Never one to tackle the simple jobs, I passed on dusting and vacuuming and looked for a more challenging task. After a diligent search, I thought of the perfect one. I would fill a picture frame with pictures. One of our wedding gifts was a collage picture frame. We hadn't even unpacked it, much less filled it. But all that would change tonight.
So I got to work. With Denalyn scrubbing floors behind me and an unmade bed beside me, I dumped a shoebox of photos in front of me and started to assemble the pictures. (I don't know what I was thinking. I guess I would have told the guest, "Hey, step over the laundry on the floor and look at our photo collection.")
I had missed the message.
When Denalyn, with a chill in her voice that would have frozen perdition, asked me what I was doing, I still missed the message. "Just making a collage of pictures," I replied joyfully. For the next half-hour or so, she didn't speak. No problem. I assumed she was praying, thanking God for such a thoughtful mate. I imagined her thinking, "Maybe he'll work on our scrapbook next."
But such were not her thoughts. My first clue that something was wrong was her final pronouncement of the evening. Having single-handedly cleaned the entire apartment, she announced, "I'm going to bed. I'm very upset. Tomorrow morning I will tell you why."
Duh.
Sometimes we miss the signs. (Even now some good-hearted yet clueless male reader is wondering, "Why was she upset?") You'll learn, my friend. You'll learn. [show less]
re:think
I like signs. I read them all the time. I am informed, I am warned, I am secure.
Some people don’t seem to like signs, though. Like the Californian driver who drove off the end of an earthquake-damaged highway because she ignored the danger signs...
Some people don’t seem to like signs, though. Like the Californian driver who drove off the end of an earthquake-damaged highway because she ignored the danger signs...
I like signs. I read them all the time. I am informed, I am warned, I am secure.
Some people don’t seem to like signs, though. Like the Californian driver who drove off the end of an earthquake-damaged highway because she ignored the danger signs. Or people who are completely unfazed by the deathly warnings on cigarette packs. Or who refuse to obey direction signs and drive right into oncoming traffic.
All very foolish!
Signs are there for a reason. Okay, so we may not always follow what the signs say, but they have a very definite purpose. Most of all, they help me know what’s going on.
So what IS going on, in terms of the signs this world is giving? Is time running out? Can we go on much longer? Are we facing a crisis?
Walking the streets, I saw a sign announcing that “we are on the cusp of change,” as though the world is tipping on a balance and about to head in another direction. Interesting—that so many people seem to be expecting something.
Not in the same way of the stereotypes, the “prophets of doom”! But looking at the way things are going, what should we expect?
You hear all kinds of fanciful predictions. From giant meteors to the arrival of beings from outer space. But those prophecies seem more about terrifying the general population than about giving distinct answers. How about looking at signs from the holy bible? Signs identified by Jesus about the end of world? The return of God himself—now that’s an event!
Why did Jesus talk about signs? To provide secret knowledge, or special inside information—or to give comfort and confirmation?
Sadly, most people focus on the signs themselves, instead of asking what they confirm.
The holy bible says that Jesus is the son of God, who came to live on earth for part of a lifetime. Before he went back to live with God, Jesus told his friends that he would come back someday in the future. Then he gave a list of signs so they would know that he was getting ready to come. These signs were intended to bring joy and happiness, not sorrow or despair – because they mean that He’s about to return.
So how will it be? How will it happen? How will it be for me?
can't miss it
You won’t miss this one. You can’t. Jesus doesn’t come quietly or secretly, or only to a special few.
It will be an earth-shattering event that you can’t ignore!
Jesus’ return will be like lightning sparking across the sky from the east to the west – everyone can see it, and if anyone tells you that God has come secretly—Jesus himself says DON’T BELIEVE IT!
The holy bible says that it will be bright, like sunshine. You might be absolutely blinded by it. And it won’t be quiet and subtle, either. “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.” Loud enough to wake the dead, literally.
And it won’t be some vague transcendental experience of Power, either. When Jesus returns, it’ll be intensely personal and very real. Jesus left as a physical and very real person, and when he returns he’ll be just the same. Above all Jesus is the person who returns as our best and closest friend.
warnings
The very first thing Jesus gives is a warning:
“Watch out that no one deceives you”. Matthew 24:4
It’s easy to get so involved in working out each sign that you get the whole gist wrong. Some people believe that some event proved Christ would come within a certain time, then they were devastated when they turned out to be wrong. So don’t believe every hare-brained scheme people invent.
Jesus also warns about people who falsely claim to be Him, or who say that he has come secretly:
“For many will come in my name, claiming ‘I am the Christ’, and will deceive many ... So if
anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert’, do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the
inner rooms’, do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to
the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:5;26, 27.
non-signs
Sometimes events we think are the most dramatic and obvious signs aren’t really signs at all. Jesus tells us:
“You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is yet to come.” Matthew 24:6.
To Christians living during the every war it must seem that Jesus is coming soon. But if they understand wars to be the final and conclusive sign they’ll be terribly disappointed in every generation. Battles, revolutions, rebellions, famines, earthquakes—Jesus tells us these are to be expected, but they are not proof of his soon return.
real signs
That’s the $64,000 question. I always want to know how much time I’ve got before I have to wash up! I like to plan ahead—so I want to know the timetable. I tend to demand a definite date, because I just can’t stand having to wait without knowing exactly when! So if Jesus is returning to planet earth, WHEN is it going to happen?
Many people all through history have tried to pinpoint the date of Jesus’ return. And all have failed. Why? Because nobody on earth knows. Jesus said: “No one knows the day or the hour ... only the Father”. Matthew 24:36.
No one will be able to calculate it by charts or mathematics or computers. It’s something we can’t know. We’re not supposed to know it. In fact Jesus went on to say: “You do not know on what day your Lord will come” and “The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” Matthew 24:42, 44. The whole point is that we choose to live every day the right way, making the best decisions, acting in kindness and compassion – instead of waiting until the last minute to straighten up and live right when we know our time’s run out.
On the face of it, we can’t know the answer to the question “When?” But remember that God is also saying “Time’s Up!?” through the signs. How do we know that? And if we can’t pinpoint the exact date, are there any clues which may give us a rough idea?
defining the time
Jesus gave a simple illustration to encourage us to keep our eyes open: “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” Matthew 24:32, 33.
You may not be able to say exactly when Jesus will come, but he promises there will be enough evidence to help you know it is near. Just like spring says summer is coming soon, so global events say that Jesus is coming soon.
So watch and see what happens. We look around and we see signs fast being fulfilled. We cannot say exactly when, but like the fig tree in Jesus’ picture, it looks like the answer is about to blossom.
own personal time
You may not know exactly how much time this world has left, but one thing is sure—or not sure! You definitely don’t know how much time you have left! Jesus gave us signs not to attempt to calculate when it was all going to happen, but so we could get ready. That is the real message.
Be ready!
How do you know when “Time’s up!” for you? You don’t. So how much time can you bank on? None!
Be honest, you know you often want to know “when?” so you can leave things to the last moment. Your essay is due Monday morning so you leave it till Sunday night. You want to know when your date is coming round so you know when to start getting ready.
But it doesn’t work the same way with Jesus. People want to know exactly when he’s coming so they can get ready just beforehand—which is why God doesn’t give us a definite date! Others leave their big decision about Jesus until just before they die—waiting for a deathbed repentance. Is that really going to happen?
now!
You know you don’t have complete control over your past, and you don’t have any guarantee of the future. So putting off important decisions is not a great idea. Your decision about Jesus is definitely an important one to make. All you have is the moment right now.
Some of the signs I like best are those held up by people meeting others at the airport. In a strange country I’m always delighted to find someone holding up a sign with my name on it. I’d like to believe that after all the signs here, God will be holding up a sign with my name up on it at the end of my journey.
How about you? [show less]
Some people don’t seem to like signs, though. Like the Californian driver who drove off the end of an earthquake-damaged highway because she ignored the danger signs. Or people who are completely unfazed by the deathly warnings on cigarette packs. Or who refuse to obey direction signs and drive right into oncoming traffic.
All very foolish!
Signs are there for a reason. Okay, so we may not always follow what the signs say, but they have a very definite purpose. Most of all, they help me know what’s going on.
So what IS going on, in terms of the signs this world is giving? Is time running out? Can we go on much longer? Are we facing a crisis?
Walking the streets, I saw a sign announcing that “we are on the cusp of change,” as though the world is tipping on a balance and about to head in another direction. Interesting—that so many people seem to be expecting something.
Not in the same way of the stereotypes, the “prophets of doom”! But looking at the way things are going, what should we expect?
You hear all kinds of fanciful predictions. From giant meteors to the arrival of beings from outer space. But those prophecies seem more about terrifying the general population than about giving distinct answers. How about looking at signs from the holy bible? Signs identified by Jesus about the end of world? The return of God himself—now that’s an event!
Why did Jesus talk about signs? To provide secret knowledge, or special inside information—or to give comfort and confirmation?
Sadly, most people focus on the signs themselves, instead of asking what they confirm.
The holy bible says that Jesus is the son of God, who came to live on earth for part of a lifetime. Before he went back to live with God, Jesus told his friends that he would come back someday in the future. Then he gave a list of signs so they would know that he was getting ready to come. These signs were intended to bring joy and happiness, not sorrow or despair – because they mean that He’s about to return.
So how will it be? How will it happen? How will it be for me?
can't miss it
You won’t miss this one. You can’t. Jesus doesn’t come quietly or secretly, or only to a special few.
It will be an earth-shattering event that you can’t ignore!
Jesus’ return will be like lightning sparking across the sky from the east to the west – everyone can see it, and if anyone tells you that God has come secretly—Jesus himself says DON’T BELIEVE IT!
The holy bible says that it will be bright, like sunshine. You might be absolutely blinded by it. And it won’t be quiet and subtle, either. “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.” Loud enough to wake the dead, literally.
And it won’t be some vague transcendental experience of Power, either. When Jesus returns, it’ll be intensely personal and very real. Jesus left as a physical and very real person, and when he returns he’ll be just the same. Above all Jesus is the person who returns as our best and closest friend.
warnings
The very first thing Jesus gives is a warning:
“Watch out that no one deceives you”. Matthew 24:4
It’s easy to get so involved in working out each sign that you get the whole gist wrong. Some people believe that some event proved Christ would come within a certain time, then they were devastated when they turned out to be wrong. So don’t believe every hare-brained scheme people invent.
Jesus also warns about people who falsely claim to be Him, or who say that he has come secretly:
“For many will come in my name, claiming ‘I am the Christ’, and will deceive many ... So if
anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert’, do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the
inner rooms’, do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to
the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:5;26, 27.
non-signs
Sometimes events we think are the most dramatic and obvious signs aren’t really signs at all. Jesus tells us:
“You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is yet to come.” Matthew 24:6.
To Christians living during the every war it must seem that Jesus is coming soon. But if they understand wars to be the final and conclusive sign they’ll be terribly disappointed in every generation. Battles, revolutions, rebellions, famines, earthquakes—Jesus tells us these are to be expected, but they are not proof of his soon return.
real signs
- atheism, persecution & false religion
Jesus points first to the growth of evil as one major sign:
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold ... You will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death ... Many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other ... Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people ... Matthew 24:12, 9-11
Does any of this happen world today? Check out statistics related to rising crime, collapse of marriage and family, pornography and sex trade, persecution of believers in totalitarian countries, and so on. - expansion of Christianity: telling others about Jesus
Jesus says:
“This [good news] … will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14
Global good news makes the point. Today the story of Jesus and the good news of LIFE is being talked about in more countries than ever before. Mass communication—literature, radio, TV, video, internet—make it simple to tell the story of how to be saved from evil. - moral state of the world
How many people do you know who really care about God, or about living honestly and rightly? Probably not a lot. Today’s trend? Look after Number One, hit the other guy before he hits you, grab what you can while you can, get what you want by any means.
It’s a religion of total selfishness and greed, with no concern for others at all.
Jesus spoke about people in his day, comparing it to the sensual, corrupt and godless people living before Noah’s flood:
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the end of the Son of Man.” Matthew 24:37-39. - final world-shaking, visible signs
Jesus told his friends:
“Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken’. At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.” Matthew 24:29.30
That’s the $64,000 question. I always want to know how much time I’ve got before I have to wash up! I like to plan ahead—so I want to know the timetable. I tend to demand a definite date, because I just can’t stand having to wait without knowing exactly when! So if Jesus is returning to planet earth, WHEN is it going to happen?
Many people all through history have tried to pinpoint the date of Jesus’ return. And all have failed. Why? Because nobody on earth knows. Jesus said: “No one knows the day or the hour ... only the Father”. Matthew 24:36.
No one will be able to calculate it by charts or mathematics or computers. It’s something we can’t know. We’re not supposed to know it. In fact Jesus went on to say: “You do not know on what day your Lord will come” and “The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” Matthew 24:42, 44. The whole point is that we choose to live every day the right way, making the best decisions, acting in kindness and compassion – instead of waiting until the last minute to straighten up and live right when we know our time’s run out.
On the face of it, we can’t know the answer to the question “When?” But remember that God is also saying “Time’s Up!?” through the signs. How do we know that? And if we can’t pinpoint the exact date, are there any clues which may give us a rough idea?
defining the time
Jesus gave a simple illustration to encourage us to keep our eyes open: “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” Matthew 24:32, 33.
You may not be able to say exactly when Jesus will come, but he promises there will be enough evidence to help you know it is near. Just like spring says summer is coming soon, so global events say that Jesus is coming soon.
So watch and see what happens. We look around and we see signs fast being fulfilled. We cannot say exactly when, but like the fig tree in Jesus’ picture, it looks like the answer is about to blossom.
own personal time
You may not know exactly how much time this world has left, but one thing is sure—or not sure! You definitely don’t know how much time you have left! Jesus gave us signs not to attempt to calculate when it was all going to happen, but so we could get ready. That is the real message.
Be ready!
How do you know when “Time’s up!” for you? You don’t. So how much time can you bank on? None!
Be honest, you know you often want to know “when?” so you can leave things to the last moment. Your essay is due Monday morning so you leave it till Sunday night. You want to know when your date is coming round so you know when to start getting ready.
But it doesn’t work the same way with Jesus. People want to know exactly when he’s coming so they can get ready just beforehand—which is why God doesn’t give us a definite date! Others leave their big decision about Jesus until just before they die—waiting for a deathbed repentance. Is that really going to happen?
now!
You know you don’t have complete control over your past, and you don’t have any guarantee of the future. So putting off important decisions is not a great idea. Your decision about Jesus is definitely an important one to make. All you have is the moment right now.
Some of the signs I like best are those held up by people meeting others at the airport. In a strange country I’m always delighted to find someone holding up a sign with my name on it. I’d like to believe that after all the signs here, God will be holding up a sign with my name up on it at the end of my journey.
How about you? [show less]
re:assess
What happens when you don’t communicate and you miss the signs? What causes people to ignore signs from people they love?
Ever felt that signs are a nuisance? What about God’s signs – are they bothersome or helpful?
How do you feel a...
Ever felt that signs are a nuisance? What about God’s signs – are they bothersome or helpful?
How do you feel a...
What happens when you don’t communicate and you miss the signs? What causes people to ignore signs from people they love?
Ever felt that signs are a nuisance? What about God’s signs – are they bothersome or helpful?
How do you feel about the idea of Jesus’ public second coming?
Jesus gives several warnings about deceptions surrounding his coming. Have you seen or heard any of these concepts? [show less]
Ever felt that signs are a nuisance? What about God’s signs – are they bothersome or helpful?
How do you feel about the idea of Jesus’ public second coming?
Jesus gives several warnings about deceptions surrounding his coming. Have you seen or heard any of these concepts? [show less]
re:consider
Do you believe that Jesus is coming again soon? What decisions have you made in response to that belief?
re:frame
Dear God,
I want to be ready when you come, even if it means my life is a bit different now than it has been. I recognize that I can’t control how long I will live, and so I ask you to be a part of my life. Please make me a whole person. Help me to know what to do to be ready when you come back. AMEN.
I want to be ready when you come, even if it means my life is a bit different now than it has been. I recognize that I can’t control how long I will live, and so I ask you to be a part of my life. Please make me a whole person. Help me to know what to do to be ready when you come back. AMEN.
wisdom
When we see the signs, Jesus wants us to have joy instead of sorrow: “Let not your heart be troubled... I will come again, and take you home with me.” John 14:1, 3.
“This same Jesus... shall come in the same way as you have seen him go into heave...
“This same Jesus... shall come in the same way as you have seen him go into heave...
When we see the signs, Jesus wants us to have joy instead of sorrow: “Let not your heart be troubled... I will come again, and take you home with me.” John 14:1, 3.
“This same Jesus... shall come in the same way as you have seen him go into heaven”. Acts 1:11
We should be awake to what’s happening and watch the signs around us: “If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Matthew 13:36, 37.
“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” Joshua 24:15
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts ...” Hebrews 3:15
“Now he commands all people everywhere to repent ...” Acts 17:30
“Now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2
[show less]
“This same Jesus... shall come in the same way as you have seen him go into heaven”. Acts 1:11
We should be awake to what’s happening and watch the signs around us: “If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” Matthew 13:36, 37.
“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” Joshua 24:15
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts ...” Hebrews 3:15
“Now he commands all people everywhere to repent ...” Acts 17:30
“Now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2
[show less]
references
re:tell: He Chose The Nails, p. 39 - 40. Copyright. W Publishing, 2000, Max Lucado. http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon3a/missing_the_signs.htm. 11 April 2006. Adapted by Sarah K. Asaftei.
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