TOPIC: LOOK OUT FOR THE SIGNS
TEXT: Luke 12:49-59
49. I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
50. But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
51. Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division;
52. For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
54. And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.
55. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.
56. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
57. Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
58. When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
59. I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.
KEY VERSE: “Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?” – (Luke 12:56)
MESSAGE:
The spread of knowledge means that there are many experts on virtually any subject under the sun. Strikingly, most of these experts are united in their repudiation of the God-factor in the affairs of men. The result is that some of the most learned people on earth are ignorant of the greatest event that will take place in the world someday soon.
The Lord Jesus Christ was warning the people about what following Him meant, namely, that taking a stand for Him, declaring unalloyed loyalty and serving Him above all else, would affect some relationships they had formed in families and the society at large, especially those that demanded their total allegiance. He stressed that it behoves all His followers and hearers to watch out for the signs of the coming of the kingdom of God.
He said that as they were adept at reading and interpreting the weather and other natural signs, recognising when it would likely rain, or when heat wave would descend on them, so they ought to learn to recognise and interpret the signs of the imminent spiritual events. And because this was not the case, Jesus condemned them for their hypocrisy. He warned them to amend their ways to avoid facing judgment and punishment at the end of time.
Whatever else is highly important and esteemed in the world would pale into insignificance when compared to the coming of God’s kingdom. The rapture of the saints is the greatest event that would soon happen in the world. The signs outlined by the Scriptures, especially those spoken about by the Lord Himself, are already being fulfilled. To overlook or reject them and to continue in sinful indulgence, is to fail to get ready for that greatest event.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Failure to heed the signs is preparation to face God’s indignation.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 42-45
Thank you for your time in reading Today’s DCLM Daily Manna 16 October 2021 Today Devotional | Look Out For The Signs.
