CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 989

“Reading Signs”

But He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘The weather will be fair, for the sky is red; and in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. (Matthew 16:2-3)

A friend once told me about an ancient curse that says ‘May you live in interesting times’. We are definitely living in interesting times. Whether this is a curse upon us or a blessing depends upon whether you are a born-again child of God, redeemed by Jesus Christ through your profession of faith in Him.

The signs are evident in our daily events. Are you paying attention? Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake... You will be hated by all for my name’s sake…(Luke 21:10-17)

In addition to terrorism and persecution of Christianity and Judaism we see our society degrading into abject immorality. Interesting times, indeed. But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Read and interpret the signs in the light of the Word of God. Now is not the time for His children to be fearful. Now is not the time for the Body of Christ, His church to hunker down and hide. “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

Now is the time for the church to rise up with heads held high, lifting the banner of the Lord high and boldly proclaiming His Gospel Truth in the power and anointing of His Holy Spirit. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”(Luke 21:28)

Read and interpret the signs and be ready. “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.… (Luke 21:29-31)

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows… but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man...Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming… Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:36-44)

Stay awake and be ready Church. Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus!