“The daffodils have bloomed and so have the dandelions.” What, is it spring already? The Meteorological Office, in the UK, says this winter is the warmest in a century and the wettest in fifty years. Is this clear evidence of climate change or something else? Evidently, the global climate is not what it used to be, even just ten years ago. But what does this portend? Let us consult the word of God, and see what we can glean.
“The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, when it is evening, ye say, it will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” (Matthew 16:1-3)
The words of Christ, spoken here, were not meant for the Pharisees and Sadducees alone. On the contrary, they are as binding on us (if not more) as they were on those who first heard them. I can almost sense a tinge of frustration, in the last statement of the third verse. When you look closely at the utterance of Jesus, you will notice a very deep message. Allow me to paraphrase. You can forecast the weather, but you are missing the essence – something more important. The Master of Sea, Land and Sky (The Lord of the elements) is among you, and you do not perceive it.
When we read the next verse, it becomes abundantly obvious that Jesus was looking, with prophetic vision, down the corridor of time until the very end. Seeing that the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees, would characterize the time of the end, He makes a very startling statement in the fourth verse.
“A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.”
Notice the word generation, above. The expression is used over a hundred and fifty times in scripture and means different things, depending on the context. Jesus, however, uses the same word in Matthew 24, were He unfolds the future stretching all the way to the second coming (and the end of the world).
“Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”
Again the Lord makes reference to the weather, when He speaks of famine and in verse 20: “But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day.” The prima facie: Climate change is yet another sign of the times. I don’t know about you, but I need no other evidence.
“And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven (Luke 21:11).”
If there ever was a generation that saw all the signs spoken of here, it is this one. If there ever was a century when the world was likely to end, it is the 21st century.
“Now learn a parable of the fig tree; when his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors (Matthew 24:32,33).”
I rest my case. What is near? It is the coming of the Son of man, in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.
“Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest (John 4:35).”
If there ever was a time that seasons overlapped, it is now. If there ever was a time that the reaper overtook the sower, it is now.
“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things, which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:25-28).”
Are you seeing the signs of the times, or only climate change? “The daffodils have bloomed and so have the dandelions.”
May the Lord bless His word!
In the service of YeHoVaH,
Dean Mudenda
Date: 17th January 2007/ Time: 00.00am (GMT)