As In The Days

Those of us that have been on the planet for awhile, have lived through significant changes in our world.

We can remember life before and life after various events, from the minor personal level to global situations.

Perilous times, a phrase in the Bible, certainly fits the description of our current state of affairs.

After corona craziness, can any of us expect life to go back to normal? We didn't see it coming and many are still coming to grips with losses of loved ones, health and financial well-being.

I have often thought of the return of Lord Jesus. His disciples wanted more intel about this timeframe.

Matthew 24:3 tells us that while Jesus was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked him three questions. When will this occur? What will be the sign of your coming? What will be the sign of the end of the world?

They were concerned about the prophesied destruction of the Temple. The "band of brothers" they had become needed some assurance for the future. After all, they gave up their lifestyles to follow Him.

Jesus responds to their three questions and presents a long list of things that will come to pass in verses 4-7. Then He says that these are just the beginning of sorrows. He continues with another list of difficulties in verses 9-14 which concludes with "the end shall come after the gospel is preached". Verses 15-24 paint a dark picture of the calamities that will befall humanity.

"Behold, I have told you before." This verse reminds the audience they were warned in advance.

Two thousand years later, are we able to grasp clues from this wealth of information about our own future?

Matthew 24:27 answers the question about His coming. "As the lightning from the east flashes to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be." Verse 28 is stating the obvious to people in search of a sign.

Verses 29-30 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days...then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven...they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

Jesus shifts to the parable of the fig tree, when leaves begin to appear on tender branches, summer is at hand. Verses 33-36 tell us that this generation shall not pass, till all these things are fulfilled. But of that day and hour only the Father knows.

Matthew 24:37-39 "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be." So the people were living a normal life up until the flood came and destroyed them all. For more details about Noah's story, read Genesis Chapters 6 - 9. Know this though, only eight righteous souls were saved from destruction. This remnant spared by the grace of God.

Verses 40-44 tell us to watch and be ready because we don't know the when. Some will be taken and others left. Verses 45-51 recount the good and wise servants being rewarded while the evil servant receives just punishment.

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Luke 17:22-27 Then He told His disciples about the future events in parallel to Matthew 24. He says it will happen suddenly, like lightning. Jesus referenced the days of Noah. He adds in verse 28 "Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot..." Again, the picture here is of a normal, everyday life until the day it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.

Lot's story, found in Genesis 19, is of importance for two reasons. The first is God intervened on Lot's behalf because of His friendship with Abraham. The second is that Jesus spoke of those days to His disciples.

We find in Genesis 18, Abraham negotiating with God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah. Why would Abraham do that and why does he stop at ten righteous people being found? Why does the LORD share with Abraham His intention to wipe out those cities?

God reveals His purposes to Abraham because He chose him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just and to pass on the faith after him. Abraham, for his part, was concerned for his nephew Lot and Lot's family that were living in Sodom.

As in the days of Noah, the people in Lot's time had abandoned God and behaved in horrific ways. Cries and groaning had reached into Heaven and the LORD himself came down to see what was happening. As the righteous Judge and King of the Universe, He had to render the guilty verdict and condemn those cities to judgment. The sentence - the wrath of God came down....but only AFTER the select few escaped.

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Friends, I can honestly say I never thought I would see these days. Especially in America. Yet we know God is in control and we trust in Him to guide and guard us through these perilous times. We must truly live out our faith in Jesus Christ by walking the walk and talking the talk. Be open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. He will provide us opportunities to witness to others about His story. The salvation from sin through the redemption bought for us all through the sacrifice of Jesus, Son of Man AND Son of God.

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. Let us be bold in the face of a growing hostility to God and His way. Always sharing the TRUTH in LOVE for that is the desire of God's heart. Our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world risk much. Those of us in the West have had it pretty easy. The heat is turning up and the LORD is sifting hearts and looking for those who will listen and obey His call.

From the resounding Battle Hymn of the Republic by Julia Ward Howe "O be swift, my soul, to answer Him, be jubilant, my feet! Our God is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!"

Frequency

As it is with many words in the English language, frequency has more than one meaning.

Frequency can indicate how often events occur, such as receiving paychecks biweekly or rent being due on the first of each month. The number of oscillations that repeat in timed cycles is an alternate definition.

Another way to think about frequency is waves that are measured in units of hertz (Hz).

Radio waves and micro waves. These waves can be slow and long or short and intense.

Have you ever seen polygraph (lie detector) test results or seismographs for measuring earthquake activity? This type of equipment uses a special "pen" to represent the seismic activity as lines drawn on paper.

Rapidly moving up and down as the paper rolls out, then slowing down gradually or suddenly stopping.

In 2023 we have seen the devastating effects of the earthquakes in Turkey, Syria and the surrounding region.

All around the world, large magnitude shakings are happening almost daily. Recently the effects of an earthquake was captured on camera at a network television studio in Ecuador.

We are experiencing in real time both the frequency and intensity, regular occurrence and strong pattern, of earth’s physical vibrations. Our planet, as an important foundation of God’s creation, knows our King is coming. Scriptures point to the fact that all creation is groaning and awaiting salvation. When the imperfect is created anew through the physical presence of God with us.

Jesus often spoke of those with eyes to see and ears to hear. The physical world is joined to the spiritual realm.

We must tune the ears of our hearts to the “frequency” of God’s Word in order to “hear” His call to follow Him.

Luke 21:28 "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

Lift up your head! Be ready to greet Him when He comes. The King of Glory comes again!

The first coming for our salvation from sin. The glorious appearing for His Bride and Body.

The second coming to put an end to the dominion of Satan on this earth and to rule from the throne of David in a new temple Jerusalem for one thousand years. Now that is a one world government I support! Amen.

Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!

Reflections

There are different ways to think about reflections.

We can look at our reflection in a mirror, we can observe how light reflects off certain objects and onto others and we can reflect on personal events in our lives or historical happenings.

Your reflection is an image of yourself that is sent back. Light shining on a diamond ring is lifted back toward the source of light, creating a sparkling rainbow of color. Think of a return to origins. Remembering when my adult children were young kids in need of constant care while reminiscing on the fun times we shared together as a family. Chatting with my brother about our childhood memories and planning future reunions.

When it comes to spiritual matters, our primary mission should be to reflect our Lord Jesus to the world around us. He should shine through us in everything and with everyone. Consider the following Scriptures.

Isaiah 9:2

The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.

Luke 2:25-32 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.

Jesus is the light of the world and He says that we, His followers, are the light of the world. Scriptures state this truth but that doesn’t mean it will be an easy path to follow. There are many distractions and the enemy knows our weak spots. That is when we must rely all the more on the presence of Holy Spirit. Allow Him to guide and guard you.

His kingdom peace can be experienced here and now. The reward of eternal life with Him is so worth the cost of surrendering our will to His. Pray for ears to hear and eyes to see.

Focus on hearing the voice of Jesus and follow Him.