What time is it according to God's prophetic clock? Where are we today in the prophetic line of time? There is what is called the "doomsday clock" and the last time I checked it was almost ready to strike twelve and bring an end to the present "day" and the beginning of a "new day" (age or era). In this even believers are making prognostications of the future with so many threats to human survival prevalent today, such as nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, biological weapons, space weapons, and secret weapons that the public knows nothing about. Lots of "doomsday preppers," including among the billionaires, today.
All know that the present state of the world is a powder keg and that the slightest spark will set it off. They are not wrong to think this. However, the believer sees all this and also recognizes it. He too sees it all as being omens, portents, preludes to something catastrophic soon coming. In fact, one of the things I learned (as a preparation for being converted) as a young man was that I lived in a world that could blow up and end at any time. That thought was not incorrect. It is one of the reasons why I have believed, since then, that I would see "the consummation of all things," the events of the Apocalypse. It was also used by the Spirit to teach me my need to find a refuge from the coming storm and I asked Christ to come into my heart and make me a new man, to be my refuge and rock of ages.
The Lord does not want his people to be ignorant of "the signs of the times." You can forecast the weather, but you have no forecast for what is coming, as a result of seeing the signs, the demarcations, the trail marks? Prognostication of tomorrow's weather results from studying present weather conditions. So too do present signs of the times give us authority to forecast events. Rather than condemning all forecasting, all prediction, by believers, Jesus encourages it.
What the social, religious, and political climate (weather) signs are today tell us what the climate (metaphorically) will be tomorrow, what will result from it. Many Christians have no problem trusting that the weatherman will generally get his predictions right and they know that he cannot be 100% right all the time. So too with forecasting future events, especially the ones of which Jesus and the scriptures inform us. Many Christians have made bad forecasts, however, even those who make the best prophetic forecasts do not always get it right. But, we do not stop forecasting because we are not perfect therein.
What are the signs of the coming of the Lord? Do we see any fulfilled in the past? In the present? Or impending? I cannot imagine a believer not being interested in these things. Surely this is not a foolish and unlearned question that is unfitting for believers. We all make predictions based upon cause and effect. We consider consequences of things. Besides weathermen, stock brokers make predictions. Farmers too, based in large part upon "times and seasons." Jesus, in his Olivet discourse, dealing with the signs of his coming (parousia), spoke of the metaphor of a fig tree to show forecasting by believers is encouraged.
"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is nigh: So likewise you, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." (Matt. 24: 32-33)
Notice the adverb of time "when." When you see a tender branch you can forecast that summer is near just as the weather man by weather signs. Our Lord is basically saying: "When you see "all these things," these events (which are prophetic "signposts" for you), then you will "know" that my coming is "at the door." If you are not paying attention to those things then you will not know that he is at the door. You will be caught by surprise.
In the old testament times there is mention of some Israelites who were "men that had understanding of the times." (I Chron. 12: 32) These are the kinds of men we should be as believers who wait and watch for the return of the Lord.
Jesus, in his Olivet discourse, said:
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matt. 24: 14)
Notice again how Christ gives believers a sign of his coming, an event that will immediately precede his parousia. That sign is the preaching of the gospel in all the world and that has occurred. We should therefore be expecting Christ's apocalypse to begin any time.
Believers who say "no one can know when Christ is coming" do not know what they are talking about. Yes, Christ did say that "no one knows the day nor the hour" (vs. 36) but he did not say that no one would know the year or month. Christ had previously said "All these are the beginning of sorrows." (vs. 8) The meaning is "the beginning of a travail after the manner of women in giving birth."
Paul also spoke of the coming judgments of Christ's apocalypse as coming upon the world "as travail upon a woman with child." Doctors forecast the month of birth for a pregnancy. They are generally correct, but not always. But, being imperfect in forecasting does not keep them from the practice. They also forecast a day within the month, and this is much more imperfect.
When the "birth pains" begin it is a sign of impending birth. That first birth pain will not tell you the precise time of birth but it does indicate imminence. Each birth pain becomes another sign. When they get close together and more intense, then we can make solid forecasts and say "the baby is almost here." So too can believers see the present signs, the times and seasons, the birth pains of tribulation and distress, and know that they need to get ready. All the prophetic signs (events) are as birth pains. Wrote Paul:
"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. You are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober..." ( Thess. 5: 1-8)
Notice again the adverbs of time, the "when this, then that." These events are signs, given to us of God for our preparedness for his coming. Are you watching and waiting? Are you prepared? Do you know what time it is? Do not be one of those who "put far off the evil day." (Amos 6: 3) Don't think you have all the time in the world to turn to God. You have no promise of tomorrow. Fearful of what is happening in the world? Of pandemics and wars? The only refuge to be found is in the Lord Jesus Christ. Turn to him today before it is too late. "Today is the day of salvation." (II Cor. 6: 2)
It was a bad appraisal of the people, an indictment, when the Psalmist said:
"We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knows how long." (Ps. 74: 9)
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