Discerning the Signs but Looking for the Lord
I do listen. As I get older, I forget more easily, but I do listen to people’s concerns. In the last several years, a number of devoted Christians have asked me some form of the following question: “Are we close to the return of Jesus Christ?” As with any Biblical teaching, we must be careful with this subject. In Matthew 24:36, Jesus said, “Of that day and hour knoweth no man.” Later, in Acts 1:7, He added, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons.” Paul wrote in I Thesssalonians 5:2 that “the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” Thus, date-setting defies God’s Word and dishonors our Savior. However, in Matthew 16:3, Jesus pointedly asks, “Can ye not discern the signs of the time?” We do not know and cannot know the exact time of Jesus’ Second Coming and the resulting period of the Tribulation, but we are told to seriously study the signs found in Scripture. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
A seventh signifier of the coming end is a dramatic increase in demonic activity. Such Satanic opposition was evident during Jesus’ ministry on earth, and it will expand prior to His return. I Timothy 4:1-3 tells us “that in the latter times” will come “seducing spirits and doctrines of devils [demons].” Some, of course, refuse to seriously consider the existence of Satan and demons; more thoughtful individuals observe extraordinary examples of evil and correctly (and Biblically) conclude that powerful dark forces are at work. It is instructive to note that the use of drugs is linked to demonic activity. For example, Revelation 21:8 speaks of “sorcerers,” people who administer drugs for nefarious, illegitimate purposes. Such illicit drugs open up people to demonic influences. I have wondered how much of the current violence in our country is drug-inspired; the unusual and nihilistic energy of these vicious people is consistent with both drug usage and demonic activity. Through the power of God the Holy Spirit, Who indwells each Christian, believers in Jesus Christ are protected from demonic possession; unbelievers have no such sure defense. As nation after nation, including ours, legalizes drug use, we should expect to see what is all around us – an increase in Satan’s influence. This observable expansion of devilish opposition to Jesus is consistent with the clear and specific warnings of God’s Word. It is ironic that the seeming ascendancy of wickedness is actually another indicator that God’s plan is unfolding exactly as He has predicted. Our God can be thoroughly trusted.