Sermon Snippet – Another Sermon Not Ripped from the Headlines
INTRODUCTION – All of us are aware of the current geopolitical turmoil in the Middle East. There is constant tension in this region that regularly bursts into open conflict. The careful Christian does not look at world events and then scurry to the Bible in order to come up with a novel interpretation of these events. Rather, we study the Word of God first, develop a Biblical framework, and then apply these truths to all situations, including the sad reality of war and the genuine possibility of catastrophic outcomes. We are rightly concerned about these things.
1. LET US REJECT UNBIBLICAL SPECULATIONS
Whether we are dealing with personal matters or global prophecy, we must not jump to unwarranted interpretations or conclusions. Just before His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus made this absolute statement about the End Times: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36). Setting a specific date for our Lord’s return is therefore in complete contradiction to God’s Word. Such a practice is presumptuous sin. On the day of Jesus’ Ascension to heaven (about six weeks after the Resurrection), He stated emphatically, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power” (Acts 1:7). I Thessalonians 5:2 adds “that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” Given these unequivocal statements, it is wrong to try to set dates for our Lord’s return. Any speaker or writer who ignores these clear warnings is not worth listening to and, in fact, is dangerous to spiritual development.
2. LET US DISCERN BIBLICAL SIGNS
In Matthew 16:1-4, Jesus excoriated the religious leaders of His day for their utter lack of spiritual awareness. These religious elites were abject failures in their chosen field. Experts abound in all areas of life; some of them are good at what they do, some are mediocre, and some are masters of disaster. We need to recognize, though, that these powerful and perhaps intelligent people have no spiritual insight and no sense of the imminency of our Savior’s return. Let us remember that Jesus spoke in detail of numerous signs in His discourse in Matthew 24-25. Let us also remember that signs and the exact time are not the same thing.
3. ONE SPECIFIC SIGN INVOLVES IRAN AND ISRAEL
Ezekiel 38:1-6 directs our attention to future enemies of Israel, including Iran (“Persia” – Afghanistan and Pakistan were also part of Persia at that time). Russia (“Magog”) is a key supplier of weaponry to Iran. All of the other nations listed follow Islam, a religion that did not even exist until more than a thousand years after Ezekiel’s prophecy. The list includes Turkey (“Meshech and Tubal” and “Gomer”). “Ethiopia” (which also comprises Eritrea, Sudan, and Somalia), “Libya,” and the area of the Turkish-Syrian border (“Togarmah”). These are not names ripped from the headlines; they were written down over 2500 years ago in the Holy Scripture.
4. LET US LOOK FOR THE LORD
Titus 2:11-15 provides a good balance to the study of signs. The most important prophetic truth is that Jesus is coming back, just as He promised. His return is imminent; that is, it could occur at any time. Current events are, at the very least, a gracious reminder of the unfailing truth of God’s Word.
CONCLUSION – Are we ready? We have already seen from Scripture that the greatest sign has been fulfilled – the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:4). Each one of us must trust in this Savior for salvation. Then, we are to be “looking for blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” A major part of that “looking” is living for our Lord now and living expectantly.