Signs of the Times
Speaker: Pastor Darin Browne
In 2 Chronicles there appears a list of men supporting King David, and the sons of Issachar hold special interest for us in this modern world…the men.
1 Chronicles 12:32
Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do,
The sons of Issachar are described as men who “had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” Before Israel made a decision, they got discernment, from these guys. The sons of Issachar understood three key factors:
1. The Culture: They understood the population and the place where they lived.
2. The Timing: They understood the times and discerned when to move.
3. The Strategy: They knew what Israel ought to do, the steps that should be taken.
How about you? Are you a “son of Issachar”? Do you understand your culture – its trends, its myths, its strengths, its dangers? Do you understand the age in which you’re living – its tenor and general movement? And do you have a strategy to grapple with both the culture and the times? Martyn Lloyd-Jones said about some believers, “They think as the world thinks. They take their opinions ready-made from their favourite newspaper. Their very appearance is controlled by the world and its changing fashion.”
More than ever before we need to be those who understand the times and what we as the people of God ought to be doing. So what signs are we seeing around us?
DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE?
This week we were told of Cyclone Alfred. Now I know that sounds like Batman’s butler, but it was a tropical cyclone. We were warned of devastation, destruction and many lived in fear. School, work, life was cancelled. A day before it was clear skies, no breeze, sunshine, but the BOM said disaster was coming. We could not read the signs from what we saw around us!
Matthew 16:2-4
He (Jesus) answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, 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. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.”
Today, more than ever before, we need to learn to read the signs of the times. We know from Matthew 24 that there will be wars, rumours of wars, destruction, persecution, etc. But today I want to look specifically at the type of people the Bible says we will encounter at the end of the age.
READ THE SIGNS, BUT BEWARE THE RABBIT HOLES
Thinking about signs of end times, what kind of signs should we be reading?
One of the most astonishing things we are seeing is the number of Christians who are obsessed with what is known as conspiracy theories. Here’s a prophetic word to you…YouTube is not always true, Facebook, Instagram, even the ABC is not necessarily true. There is only one source of truth, and that is the Word of God!
But modern man seems to crave information, secret information, more and more! Without properly researching or even checkout out the source, I have seen Christians argue black and blue about things for which they have little proof or understanding.
Now don’t get me wrong, I believe that much of what we are now discovering about COVID, government policy, etc. is true and is being revealed. But it’s about keeping a balance. It is oh so easy to get sucked away from the true message of the gospel and to disappear down some political rabbit hole. Fighting for one political view over another will not save anyone, only Jesus saves our souls! Paul advised Titus…
Titus 3:9
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
CURRENT TIMES
You can win an argument and lose a soul! I’m not saying don’t do your research, and I’m not saying choose to be ignorant, but if you are going to be obsessed with something, be obsessed with God’s Word, don’t be obsessed with aberrant YouTube videos. You can’t argue people into heaven, but you can love them.
2 Timothy 2:23-25
Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
Paul would not condone our modern obsession with information. He would say, stop having pointless arguments about political things that may or may not be true, and start loving people and sharing the gospel with them! We should see the current climate through the lens of the Word of God. We can spot a counterfeit not by studying other counterfeits, but by focussing on the true original, and that’s God.
So, what signs should we be looking for? What does the Bible say?
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
People have what’s called the doomsday clock, and allegedly at twelve, mankind will destroy themselves. They say we are at ninety seconds to. But the Bible shares insights of what the last days before Jesus returns will look like, and I choose to trust the living, active Word of God.
2 Timothy 3:1
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
Today I want to talk not about geophysical, political or national conflicts but about what kind of people will there be in the last days? As I read the next three verses, I discovered that they perfectly describe what people look like right now.
2 Timothy 3:2-4
For people will be…
LOVERS OF SELF
We live in the age of the Selfie. Never have so many photos been taken of so many people doing absolutely nothing. Our generation will not accept responsibility for their actions, because everybody is so self-centred that they only ever see anything from their own, selfish point of view.
Philippians 2:21
For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
LOVERS OF MONEY
People are increasingly obsessed with money and possessions. We must have the latest iPhone, the biggest TV, the latest Tesla. So many are obsessed with bitcoin, investments, houses. If you have no money, you’re obsessed with getting it. If you have it, you obsessed with getting more on it.
1 Timothy 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
In these last days, don’t be seduced by the Spirit of Mammon, the love of money.
PROUD
We now have a whole month to celebrate what? Gay and lesbian pride. How brazen to name your celebration of debauchery after the original sin…pride!
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
ARROGANT
Listen to celebrities, listen to politicians, listen to the common man, we arrogantly try and live our self-centred lives for our own gratification, and we arrogantly reject the good news that Jesus has paid for our sin. Listen, don’t try and arrogantly cover up your sin. Own up and let the blood of Jesus cover it over.
2 Peter 3:3-4
scoffers (Gk mockery) will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”
ABUSIVE
You see and hear it everywhere; people are becoming more and more abusive. They can’t confront an issue; they seem hell bend on assassinating the character of their victim. This week I endured an attack on my leadership that went beyond what I have done and into who I was. Road rage, domestic violence, we are an abusive people.
Proverbs 19:11
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offence.
People get so offended these days. Let’s not be quick to be offended, let’s be loving.
DISOBEDIENT TO THEIR PARENTS
Some of you here have experienced your children being disobedient, and this is indicative of our generation. The young discard the morals and standards of their parents, and this is a clear sign of the last days.
Proverbs 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon.
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
UNGRATEFUL
We have so much, so much comfort, so many things, such disposable income, yet we are the most ungrateful generation. We need to live each other, and be thankful for the many blessings we have…our homes, families, food, country!
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
UNHOLY
This photo from the year’s Gay Mardi Gra, funded by the NSW State Government. Watch a comedy channel, or movie, a YouTube clip or TV show and you will see how unholy we are as a people. We tolerate outright sin; we justify the murder of babies and we place porn in the hands of any kid with a phone. This generation is a godless, unholy people who need Jesus!
Hebrews 12:14
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
HEARTLESS
Aussies have always had a heart, always pulled together, but increasingly we are hearing of scams ripping off honest people. We as God’s people must be moved when we see others suffering, not moving to take advantage of the poor or naïve. Jesus was moved, and so should we be.
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
UNAPPEASABLE
In Greek ASPONSOS, which means truce breakers or covenant breakers. Most people break promises and lie without conscience. We must be honest and Holy, and our yes should be our yes and our no our no (Matthew 5:37).
Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
SLANDEROUS
Christianity is constantly under attack, constantly belittled in the press, in the Gay and lesbian media. We need to live lives that put those who speak against us to shame.
1 Peter 3:16
having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame.
WITHOUT SELF-CONTROL
Self control is in limited supply in our society. Part of this is because we refuse to take responsibility for our sin.
If our lives are going to change for all eternity, we must take responsibility for our actions. We say, it’s not my fault, it’s my upbringing, my parents, my friends. Whatever has befallen you, however difficult, you still made the decision to sin. Own it.
Proverbs 19:3
When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD.
BRUTAL, NOT LOVING GOOD, TREACHEROUS, RECKLESS, SWOLLEN WITH CONCEIT, LOVERS OF PLEASURE RATHER THAN LOVERS OF GOD
People today just live for themselves and for what they can experience, they are hedonists. They say…
1 Corinthians 15:32
If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
People live for today, because they have no hope for tomorrow. But because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Jesus relates a parable about a rich man whose aim was to accumulated wealth.
Luke 12:18-19
And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”‘
SIGNS OF THE TIMES FOR BELIEVERS
Paul goes on to describe believers in the last days…
2 Timothy 3:5
having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
This sums up many people in churches right across the nation, but it also carries a warning. Christians can get completely obsessed with things that matter little in eternity. Teaching is good, sermons are good, even most rituals have their place, but these things are not eternal. The passage goes on to describe people…
2 Timothy 3:7
always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
We as believers need to take care about what fills our minds and hearts. Arguments, controversies, speculations or the things of God.
HOW SHOULD WE VIEW THE END TIMES?
After this description of the world of the final days, we surely must acknowledge that the return of Christ is imminent. So now, more than ever, we must seek God. There is so much information in this world, how do we navigate through it? There is so much fear in the world, so how can we live lives of faith? The Bible says…
2 Timothy 1:7
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
So, let’s not be controlled by fear. Let’s be careful about what we listen to, research, study, pursue. Instead, let’s all covenant to put the things if God into our hearts and minds. I believe we are on the verge of the greatest move of God this nation has ever seen, and we must remain sober, vigilant, focussed on what it right and true.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
If you’re struggling with fear, fear of anything, then God wants you to triumph over fear, and fill your mind and heart with the things of God. You can be set free right now. Fear of losing someone you live, fear of poverty, fear of failure, fear of what is happening in the world.