I want to start out this New Year's with an inquiry. Do you know the times that we are living in? The Bible says that the tribe of Issachar, one of the 12 tribes of Israel were commended because they knew and understood the times and the seasons.
1 Chronicles 12: 32 …. “Of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” ….
The tribe of Issachar understood that they were living in changing times. Saul and his kingship were now over; he was killed in battle; Israel was now rallying to David. He had been proclaimed king in Judah and now he was on his way to Jerusalem to take over leadership of all of Israel.
Do you understand the seasons that we are living in presently; with secular philosophies and ideologies; secular governments; progressive ideas that have crept into the church that are contrary to the Word of God? Do you understand the anti-Christian sentiment that is brewing in our world today? Do you understand that society has embraced a philosophy of emotionally based ethics, that whatever feels good is acceptable…and whether it corresponds to “truth” is immaterial; do you understand the times that we are living in?
We want to be like the people of Issachar who understood the times and knew what to do. How do we do that? Jesus, after He talked about the end times, said that we should learn a lesson from the fig tree…when it's budding, you know that summer is near…and when you see these events of the end times begin to happen, you will know My coming is near.
Luke 21:29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.
Then He told us to look up! …look at the present situation in the world with spiritual eyes…this is not a geo-political history lesson…this is a time that is leading up to the return of Christ…look up! Redemption is coming in the form of the rapture of the church.
Luke 21:28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
And, lift up your head…live your life, not with fear and dread with your head hung low, but with a lifted heart of joy and expectation that we shall see the King.
Join us in person on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. or via livestream by going to https://www.firstbaptistsudbury.com and clicking on livestream for “Do You Know the Time?”
Blessings,
Kevin
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