Signs and Seasons

"From the fig tree learn its lesson:  as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.  So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that He is near, at the very gates..."  Mark 13:28-29

Road to Peebles, The Borders

Last week we decided a road trip was in order.  We packed our bags, loaded Miss Magnolia into the Doodle-Mobile and off we went!  We caught the 7:45 am ferry at St. Margaret's Hope, and by 9:00 am we were winding our way southward through the moors.  In the far north of Scotland, vestiges of the long winter remain.  Hillsides are carpeted with heather, wind-blown and brown.   Tiny bits of green begin to emerge, and by midsummer, they say those hills will stand in purple glory!

A little farther south there are stands of conifers.  A lump rises in my throat.  I haven't realized I missed them until I see them again!   The contrast has been striking...this move from 'The Evergreen State' to the wilds of Orkney, where trees are few and far between.  By the time we reach 'The Borders', signs of Spring are EVERYWHERE!  The countryside is painted with a palette that seemed to include countless shades of green! Tiny wild violets adorn the footpaths...more reminders of 'home.'  It was a blessed, timely diversion...

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These days I can't help but notice other signs appearing...signs which point to a change of seasons as well.  The days are darker...and it seems we are witnessing the fulfillment of age-old prophecies.  The signals are ominous...drought, earthquakes, pestilence, widespread violence...the love of so many growing cold!  Not long ago I was reading Deuteronomy 32, the Word of the Lord given to Israel through Moses:

"But Jeshurun ('the upright one') grew fat...stout, and sleek; then he forsook God who made him and scoffed at the Rock of his salvation.  They stirred him to jealousy with strange gods; with abominations they provoked Him to anger.  They sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known, to new gods that  had come recently, whom your fathers had never dreaded.  You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you, and you forgot the God who gave you birth."  (Deuteronomy 32:15-18)

I recognized the all-too-familiar downward spiral of rebellion against God...which manifests itself both personally and nationally:

    1.   God's abundant blessing leads to prosperity and over-indulgence.
    2.   Prosperity and over-indulgence lead to complacency.
    3.   Those who are complacent drift into apostasy - 'abandonment of former loyalty'
    4.   Faith is replaced by meaningless cynicism.
    5.   Lack of meaning in our lives leads to idolatry.
    6.   Persistent, unrepentant idolatry brings JUDGMENT.

Barring miraculous repentance, I believe that the U.S.A. is headed for judgment...

"For a fire is kindled by my anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol, devours the earth and its increase, and sets on fire the foundations of the mountains.  I will heap disasters on them; I will spend my arrows on them; they shall be wasted with hunger, and devoured by plague, and poisonous pestilence..."  (Deuteronomy 32:23-24)

The Lord is patient and merciful!  He has sent warning after warning, wanting NONE to perish.  However Jeremiah warns:  "But if any nation will not listen, then I will utterly pluck it up and destroy it," declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 12:17)

There comes a time when God even forbids prayer for the rebellious:  "As for you, do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with me, for I will not hear you..." (Jeremiah 7:16)

Where does this leave us???  In the hands of the GOOD SHEPHERD!  Do you truly KNOW Him, or do you only know about Him?  The time is coming when He will separate the sheep from the goats...those who are committed to a life of obedience and service, and those who pay lip service, but ultimately live for themselves.  Remember, James says, 'even the demons believe, and tremble!' 

It is time to make our calling and election sure.  God gives a staunch warning for those whose lives are characterized by being 'lukewarm'.  In Revelation 3:16 He says, "I will vomit you out of my mouth!" 

The stakes are high.  If we want to follow the Good Shepherd, we must pick up our cross every day and follow Him.  I know from experience that this is COSTLY!  It may feel all wrong!  What He asks of us is often contrary to worldly wisdom!  But whoever 'loses his life' for Jesus' sake will find true life...life that is eternal.  There is no greater reward.

Our future here is uncertain.  Jesus warned us ahead of time, so we would be prepared:

"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.  And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.  And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.  And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.  BUT THE ONE WHO ENDURES TO THE END WILL BE SAVED.  And the gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."  (Matthew 24:9-13)

It doesn't take a genius to recognize the signs and the seasons, but we have a LIVING HOPE in Jesus.  He will never leave us or forsake us.  His perfect love casts out fear!  He is with us until THE END OF THE AGE.  Great and precious promises await those who 'OVERCOME'!  With men this is impossible, but with God ALL things are possible!  We are MORE than conquerors through Jesus! Let us fight the good fight.

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you WILL have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world!"
(John 16:33)