“Thank You, Lord Jesus, that the whole of creation is in Your hands. Frightening events are taking place, at this very moment, across our world. You are holding all things by Your word. You are giving a warning to man to repent and return to You, for You are our habitat. You do not anyone to perish in the eternal destruction, which is prepared for the devil and his angels. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”
Acts 2:19-21 I WILL SHOW WONDERS IN HEAVEN ABOVE AND SIGNS IN THE EARTH BENEATH: BLOOD AND FIRE AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. (20) THE SUN SHALL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS, AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THE COMING OF THE GREAT AND AWESOME DAY OF THE LORD. (21) AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS THAT WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.’
We are witnessing frightening catastrophic events happening in creation. There are floods, famine, wars, displacement of people in huge numbers, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Devastation is taking place on a mammoth scale. Nations are in an economic crisis. All of these are happening at a time when we are still in the throes of the covid pandemic, the world over.
This is a warning from God for man to repent. The church needs to be sanctified be separated unto God. We are to be His image bearers, being His vice-regents and bridges for people to come to faith in Christ.
II Peter 3:8-13 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (9) The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. (11) Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, (12) looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? (13) Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
The Lord is longsuffering. He is delaying his coming, if we, in our human understanding, consider the Lord to be deferring His return. The Lord does not want any to perish but that all should come to repentance.
Repentance is needed for all. The world needs repentance for they have rejected God to be their habitat.
The church needs to repent, for, to a large extent, we relate with God as the One who is the means to our end. We have not come to the place of total surrender, where we have laid all our desires, pursuits, ambitions, and goals, at His feet, and be entirely available to Him. The Lord’s heart breaks over us, for His bride is not entirely devoted to her Husband.
Isaiah 51:6-8 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, And look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, The earth will grow old like a garment, And those who dwell in it will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not be abolished. (7) “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults. (8) For the moth will eat them up like a garment, And the worm will eat them like wool; But My righteousness will be forever, And My salvation from generation to generation.”
This is the encouragement to His church that we need not be anxious over what is taking place. The world may insult and persecute us, but God’s righteousness and salvation will be forever. Whatever may be the circumstances around us, we must remain faithful in our walk with Jesus, till the very end.
Psalms 97:3-12 A fire goes before Him, And burns up His enemies round about. (4) His lightnings light the world; The earth sees and trembles. (5) The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. (6) The heavens declare His righteousness, And all the peoples see His glory. (7) Let all be put to shame who serve carved images, Who boast of idols. Worship Him, all you gods. (8) Zion hears and is glad, And the daughters of Judah rejoice Because of Your judgments, O LORD. (9) For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. (10) You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. (11) Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart. (12) Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
Understanding the signs of the end times, we as His church must fulfil our role to reconcile people to God.