As Christians, do we take the Bible seriously? Many Christians say that they believe the word of God is 100% accurate, inspired, and given directly from God. Do you?
If so, do you believe that, are we to follow what is written in the Bible?
Over the past few years, many people have talked about how our world is rapidly going through many changes. Due to tragic natural disasters, vicious terror attacks, and tense diplomatic diplomacy (or lack thereof)…as well as new technologies, cures, and new scholastic discoveries we may all be affected in some way or another by these events, both good and bad, around the globe. Many remember to apply Scripture to their personal lives, but do we remember to apply them to the word around us as well?
Much of scripture in both the OT and NT of the Bible discusses prophecy: specifically, that which concerns future events. In fact, almost entire books such as Daniel and Revelation contain events which admittedly have yet to occur, and Jesus himself addresses ‘end times’ issues several times in the Bible. Specifically, what does Jesus say?
There are several references found in Matthrew (ch24), Luke (ch21), and Mark (ch13). Are you familiar with these? If not, I would encourage you to read through them. Does Jesus call us to any actions? If so, what are they?
In Matthew 24:
32“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. 33Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.”
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36“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
45“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
In Luke 21:
7“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
8He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
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28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
In Mark 13:
3“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4“Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”
5Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.”
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9“You must be on your guard.”
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20“If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. 23So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.”
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28“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. 29Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.”
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32“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.” 35“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ “
Many people have said that the lesson behind these verses is that we need to live a life which is pleasing to God (‘ready’ to go to heaven), and that we have no idea when Jesus will come back. But are those really what these verses are saying? True enough, we should be living our lives in preparation for eternity, but is this what these verses are talking about in simply a general fashion?
Could one not make a case that indeed we should not only live each day preparing for eternity, but then also watching for these predicted events to take place? Doesn’t Jesus repeatedly tell us we are to look for the signs of His return, and though we face trials and terrible events here on earth, that we are given these words of prophecy to provide hope (so that we know through it all God has an ultimate plan and will win)?If we indeed believe the Bible is 100% accurate, and that God is a God of order and does not waste anything…Then why do we find these verses in the Bible? Did God simply like to hear himself talk?
What do we do with prophecy? Do we take the words of Jesus seriously? Or do we perhaps put words in His mouth by saying that we need not watch because it is all ‘too confusing’, ‘too controversial’, or ’shouldn’t be taken literally’? If so, are those Biblical concepts? What about Revelation, 1:1-3 where it says “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”? Does that not say that we should indeed pay attention to prophecies concerning the return of Jesus?
Are you taking Jesus’ words seriously? Or do you pick and choose when you want to listen?
The purpose of this blog is to take the words of Jesus seriously, and to follow Biblical concepts and apply them as the Bereans (Acts 17- Using scripture to verify validity of information), as well as serve as a watchman on the wall (using Ezekial 33:6 as an example of the responsibility for those who see potential danger to report it to others in the community). Through using 1)scripture as a guide, as well as specifically 2)heeding Jesus’ advice to watch and prepare for His return, this blog seeks to ‘connect the dots’, and track news and information which may reveal the ’seasons’ in which we find ourselves.
Do we see prophecy being fulfilled in our lives today? If it were happening, would we take the time to even consider it?
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