Signs of the times

Whether we watch the evening news, listen to the radio, or simply go outside and look at the sky, we all like having some idea of what the weather is doing. There is certainly little value in planning a trip to the beach if the weather is going to be cold, windy, and rainy. However, of much greater importance, Jesus spoke of knowing how to recognise the ‘signs of the times’. Matt 16:3. It is vitally important to know what the Lord is doing and ‘when and how’ He speaks to us.

Jesus said, ‘There will be signs in sun and moon and stars and upon the earth’. Luke 21:25. What does this mean? Every word in the Scripture paints a picture and is full of meaning. When Jesus spoke of the sun, moon and stars, He was describing spiritual realities. The sun naturally governs our times and our seasons. As the earth rotates, we have ‘evening and morning’. And because of the tilt of the axis of the earth, we have seasons. The Scripture often uses the metaphor of the sun to represent the heavenly Father. It is the Father who determines the times and seasons of our lives. In a similar way, the Scripture sometimes uses the moon to represent the Son. As the moon reflects the light of the sun, Jesus came to reveal the Father in this world.

We read in the books of Joel and Revelation that the sun goes ‘black as sackcloth’ and ‘the moon turns to blood’. Joel 2:31; Rev 6:12. In history, we could say that this occurred when Christ was crucified. From the sixth to the ninth hour, or from midday to 3pm, darkness covered the face of the land. As the psalmist described with great prophetic insight, the Father was ‘coming down with darkness under His feet’. Psa 18:9. At the same time, the Son was indeed covered with blood. I am sure if you had lifted up your eyes to behold Jesus in those hours, the most striking feature would be the blood coming from all His wounds.

In this time of great darkness, the disciples were dismayed, perplexed, and even fearful. They didn’t understand what Jesus was doing. Why did He need to die? However, He certainly wasn’t leaving or forsaking them. In fact, completely the reverse was happening! He was drawing near to redeem them. And so it is for us. When we experience dark times in life, and the sun turns black so to speak, there is no need to become dismayed. It is during these times that the Lord is drawing near to us. After speaking of these signs in the sun, moon and stars, Jesus said, ‘When these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near’. Luke 21:28. In every phase of life, we need to lift up our eyes to see what the Lord is doing. We need to understand the ‘signs of the times’.

David Baker

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Feature Articles
September 2008

Searching out a man

The new birth

Signs of the times

The national anthem

Overcoming fear & anxiety

Anointed with oil

Compassion that restores

The success formula

Desire to be known

At ease in your youth

The mother of all wars