Published: May 16, 2008 03:15 am            

Signs of Christ’s return are evident today

“Then he said to them: 'Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” - Luke 21:10-11

These prophecies by Jesus from the book of Luke sure seem to be describing the headlines we've been reading recently.

I know most folks out there know what's going in the world, but I'll refresh everybody: A cyclone packing 120 mph winds struck Myanmar over a week ago. The Red Cross has estimated more than 130,000 people are dead.

An earthquake registering 7.9 on the Richter scale struck China earlier this week. Best estimates are expecting the death toll to top 50,000 people.

Australia has been in a drought for six years. Little wheat has been coming out of the continent and the continent has all but quit producing rice.

Speaking of rice, much of Myanmar's rice crop was wiped out and there have been shortages of the staple across Asia pushing prices to a record high. There have even been stores here in the U.S. limiting purchases of rice, though there has been no shortage of rice here in the U.S.

In a report from the Washington Times, a lethal variation on an ancient wheat disease has spread from its base in Africa to Iran and now threatens vast fields in South Asia, the Middle East and Europe at a time of global food shortages, according to agricultural specialists.

Earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, it sure sounds like what Jesus was talking about 2,000 years ago.

In Matthew 24:8, Jesus says, “All these are the beginning of birth pains.”

I am not trying to say what we are seeing is the beginning of the end, but in light of what scripture tells us what is happening in the world will continue with increasing frequency until Christ returns - just like a woman in labor.

Christ told the disciples this in what has become known as the Olivet discourse in the week before his death.

While it may seem scary to many, we must not look at it in that way. For one thing, it means Christ will come for his Church soon, but it also means we have an opportunity to win people over for Christ.

Christ's return could happen today, or it could happen many years from now, the point is, he is coming back at the appointed time.

We don't know when that time is, but when it happens God will turn his attention from the church and back on to Israel and the Tribulation will begin.

There are more than just natural disasters pointing the way to Christ's return.

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase in wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” - Matthew 24:9-14.

I have written on this before, but it is important to revisit scripture when we see it unfolding in the world.

People are leaving the faith at an alarming rate. In many churches there is never a mention of Christ's return. They have given up, but we must proclaim his coming to a lost and dying world.

“Firs of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, 'Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.' But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water by water. By these waters also the world at that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” - 2 Peter 3:3-7

There are doubters, in the world and in the church, we must use this time God has given us to proclaim the gospel of Christ and the cross, and to call the world to repentance.

In spite of the best efforts of the politicians, the only peace we will ever experience is through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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If you need prayer or would like to comment, Wayne can be reached by e-mail at etagnews@dctexas.net.

        

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