How urgent is this
When will all this happen?
Jesus gives us a prophecy with reference to "The Fig Tree" (representing Israel), showing us that it will be just one generation that will witness both the re-birth of the Nation of Israel (this took place in May 1948) and the fulfilment of the end times chaos, even to the final Return of The King - Jesus.
“‘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 these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”
We are expected to know the season, and it is here NOW. Don't be fooled by the old 'like a thief in the night' saying. That applies to those who are not 'awake', to non-believers. It will certainly come as a shock to them! It's a bit like another mis-quote "money is the root of all evil' !! Of course it is actually "the love of money" which is the root of all evil. See details from Paul's 1st letter to the Thesalonians
“ Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety’, destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”
Signs in the Heavens
When God created the world, see Genesis ch 1, He tells us the Lights in the sky - the sun, moon and stars - are there to separate the day from night, but also to serve as signposts to His "appointed times". Now that we have programmes like Stellarium, we can see in advance where the stars will be on any given date. Remember the Wise Men in the Christmas story? They came from the East and they knew from the stars that the King had been born, and set off on a long journey to worship Him. They knew how to read the signs in the heavens. They had ancient knowledge that gave them the key to one of God's key appointed times! We know to expect Him again very soon. Not only do the starry heavens declare the glory of God, but they display and reveal knowledge (which the Wise Men could interpret).
“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world”
If we choose to look up and consider the wonders of the universe, like the Psalmist wrote here, or look at our amazing bodies; how complex they are, and how they grow and self heal; the detail of eyes and brain; both common sense and science would say it is obvious that there is a creator. And though we may deny this, we are without excuse! Since He has intervened in our Earth from outside of time, with authentic messages, even sending His Son to be born of Mary, to die and come back to life. And we will be held accountable for our worldview in this area. See Paul's words from the amazing letter Paul wrote to the new Believers in Rome, which we know as the book of Romans
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.”
Jesus also tells us to look out for the signs, including solar and lunar eclipses and the ways the planets and stars are converging in the heavens,
“‘There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.”
Lastly, having read the important details on the pages above, please consider this final warning from the mouth of Jesus
“Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”
The point Jesus is making, is - there is little time left, and this event will happen without any further warning signs. Do not delay. If you don't want to be left behind, then choose life today.
