Sign of the Times

By Benjamin H. Liles

          Tonight, I just want to speak about what's on my heart. Lately, while being sick I've been wondering about the state of things: the state of my State, the state of my Country, and the state of this world. It reminds me of what Jesus Christ said to the disciples when He was asked, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3, New King James).

          Jesus responds by telling them, "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many" (Matthew 24:4-5). What concerns me isn't so much that we are nearing the end of the age, but how are we to respond to it, and how can we take a stand against the "powers of the coming age" (Hebrews 6:5).

          Paul said this about standing firm in our faith: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

          "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:11-17). 

          I hate to say it but we're in those evil days. more and more women are taking up arms and claiming they don't need a man, they wear clothing that's made for men, and they rather live for another woman and burn with lust for them; likewise, men do the same things, and yet they also claim they are the voice of reason. To that i have this to say, "Really? You're the voice of reason?" I know I get emotional over things, but my world view is based on the Father who created everything as well as with Jesus Christ, the foundation of this world. Together with the Holy Spirit everything has been made that we see and take very much for granted. 

          No, those who say they stand for reason without God's word, they are running about like false, little Christs. They want you to believe they are reasoning things out, but truly they are banking off their emotions. They don't live life according to the word of God, the Bible, their like Chicken Little crying out, "The sky is falling!" 

          Rather, let's look at something Paul said within that Ephesians passage: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). There is a blinding agent in this world, going by unassuming, but he's not exactly unassuming either. This blinding agent is spoken of in Scripture, and he hates proper usage of God's word.

          We read, "Shining morning star, how you have fallen from the heavens! You destroyer of nations, you have been cut down to the ground" (Isaiah 14:12, Holman Christian Standard). John wrote of him, "And the great dragon was hurled down—the ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him" (Revelation 12:9, Berean Study).

           Yes, Satan is real and he seeks to destroy all works that God created. He's also known in scripture as "false prophets...[coming to] you in sheep's clothing, but...are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15, King James 2000). Christ said of him, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy" (John 10:10, New King James). Therefore, it is up to us to watch out for ourselves, along with His Spirit, to be kept from harm's way! It is why in the Lord's prayer that Jesus gives the disciples, He prays, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13).

          Friend, I'm giving these words to you tonight so you know while we are quite late in giving a message of hope, and of peace, that Jesus Christ is coming back as He said He would. But also that we be aware, and to take notice of the times we are finding ourselves living in. I contend that we are close to those hours when Revelation will start, but it doesn't necessarily mean we are within those days as of yet.

           There is still time for you to change your mind about the life you are living and to come to saving knowledge that Jesus Christ can be yours. He can change your sins over from the filth that they are for His righteousness; Paul said, "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). So, yes, you can very much be clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, but it comes down to seeing yourself as God does. You are a sinner, as much as I am one, too!

          Let us, therefore, lay aside those heavy weights and burdens of sin keep us any longer from the providence, from the sovereignty, and from the grace of a God whose manifest desire is to see you home with Him in heaven, praising and giving Him glory for eternity! He loved you so much so that you can have access to Him through the Son, Jesus Christ, who went to the cross, dying on your behalf, and then on the third day being raised by the power of God's Spirit. That is how we know we will also be brought up from the ground at Christ's Glorious appearing! May this bless and encourage you. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

#jesuschristisforreal, #enteringlastdays, #notquiteinrevelation