Signs Of The Times

In Matthew chapters 24 and 25, Jesus emphasized the necessity of "discerning the signs of the times" in regard to His coming. Jesus also taught on the parable of the 10 virgins to emphasize the importance of being ready for the Bridegroom's coming. The parable shows how 5 were prepared for the Bridegroom's coming and 5 were unprepared and lost out in the end. Bible history has repeatedly shown how the majority fail to discern the signs of the times in which they lived and missed what God was doing. Jesus called the people of His day hypocrites because they could "not discern the signs of the times" in which they lived. The generation in which we now live must be diligent to discern the signs of the times concerning the closeness of Jesus' coming. Discerning the signs of the times is imperative for being prepared for the Bridegroom's coming. "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 to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" [Matthew 16:2-3 KJV]As it has been throughout Bible history, it is the watchmen that accurately discern the signs of the times, and so it will be the watchmen that will discern the signs of the times concerning Jesus' coming. In the Bible, the assignments of the watchmen have varied but all watchmen share the same traits. They are vigilant, they are discerning, they are prepared for what is to come, they warn others as the occasion requires, and they are often rejected by those that do not watch. Jesus made the vital link between watching and prayer concerning His coming. The combination of watching and prayer prepare God's people to stand before the Son of man. Only those that watch and pray will accurately discern the signs of the times in the midst of the deception that Jesus warned would sweep through the land before He comes. "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." [Luke 21:36 KJV]The word watch, as used in Scripture, means to be vigilant and is linked to sobriety especially in relation to the coming of the Lord. It has the sense to be alive. In the year 1828, Noah Webster defined the word watch as: "Attendance without sleep. Close observation; guard; vigilance for keeping or protecting against danger." Webster's 1828In 1828, Noah Webster defined the word watchman as: "a watchman; set for a guard, set to espy the approach of an enemy or other danger, and to give an alarm or notice of such danger; a sentinel; a guard." Webster's 1828Is watching only a request or is it a command? Watching is for our preservation and equips and prepares us to warn others of approaching danger. We can watch for many things, but here Jesus is specifically urging us to "discern the signs of the times" for without discernment we know not when the time is. Jesus said, "Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." [Mark 13:33 KJV] The words "take heed" as used in Scripture means to hear, to see, and to take note. Can watching save you? No. Can watching put you in the right frame of mind? Yes, when watching is done in faith and not in fear. How can we discern the signs of the times if we don't know what we are to watch for? We learn what to watch for by study of the Scripture. Our taking heed and our watching must be joined to prayer, but not just any kind of prayer. Watching and prayer must be joined and progress to trust and faith. Concerning His admonition to watch and pray, Jesus puts into context in the gospel of Luke what we are to watch and pray for. Jesus said, "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." [Luke 21:36 KJV]If we have established a right relationship between watching for and discerning the signs of the times and prayer in a right relationship with Jesus the darker the signs manifest, the closer to Jesus we will draw in dependence and in faith. The command to watch for the signs of Jesus' coming and pray to be accounted worthy to escape the things that shall come to pass has its roots in righteousness that is found in Jesus alone. To be accounted worthy, we must be robed in Jesus' righteousness. The robe of righteousness is the wedding garment white and pure washed in the blood of the Lamb. All who are not clothed in Jesus' righteousness will be unable to stand before the Son of man and will be removed by the brightness of His coming. Righteousness is by faith and is a free gift but there are conditions that apply. One cannot have a close relationship with the world and be robed in righteousness. These two conditions can never mix. If we are truly robed in Jesus' righteousness, the fruits of righteousness will bear witness.The progression should be the more the signs are fulfilled, the more intimate and dependent our relationship with Jesus becomes, the stronger our hope and faith grows. If these are not the conditions, then we have work to do in our relationship with Jesus. Those that "discern the signs of the times;" watch and pray, and have on the robs of His righteousness will in hope, faith, and joy be expecting Jesus' arrival and be ready to stand before the Son of man.