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Cross Words: Sign, Sign, Everywhere A Sign
I’ve written in the past that we in the Christian community should be careful speculating about the end of time.  We lose credibility, and God is often drug through the mud with us, when our man-made prophetic time tables come and go without the occurrence of the rapture or the onset of Armageddon.
And yet having said that I feel inclined at the moment to remind us all of what the Bible says will be indicative of our planet during our last few sunsets. Even though Jesus said we would be in the dark as far as dates and times go (Matt. 24:36), He made it a point to inform us to watch for certain signs leading up to the last days.  Those signs can be divided accordingly; geologically, geographically, and genetically.
In the beginning of chapter 24 in Matthew’s gospel account, Jesus said there would be an increase in natural disasters.  The book of Romans explains it as if the entire planet is in the throws of labor pains, just waiting for the precise moment to come apart at the seams ((8:22). As I’m writing this article many of you are thinking of the earthquake that shook the East Coast just a few hours ago.
Geographically speaking, Jesus said the nation of Israel would be agitated as well. “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near” (Matt. 24:32).  Anyone been paying attention to the news coming out of the MIddle East lately?
The last of the signs is human in nature.  While creation as a whole, and the nation of Israel specifically, become more “tender,” mankind develops a harder, crustier shell around its heart.  “The love of most will grow cold...” (Matt. 24:12).  Of all the signs, this one concerns me the most because I am seeing it being fulfilled at an horrendously fast pace.
I am certainly not predicting that the apocalyptic al clock has almost come to an end, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the least.  And that’s the point of this article as well as the words of Christ.  “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matt. 24:42).

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