MONDAY October 19, 2020

Knowing the Times

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
Romans 13:11

Paul spoke about a Christian’s relationship to the state. He encouraged prayer be made for all those in government, and he discussed a Christian’s duty to pay taxes. After exhorting Christians, he also expressed that they show sincere love toward one another. Then Paul came to another important point. He fixed the eyes of believers on the future, knowing their …salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

Paul used the theme of wakefulness to develop a strong warning to the Church. Christians needed to be well aware of the times in which they lived. Caesar Nero ruled, and Christian freedoms were being cut off. Many believers were enduring persecution, torture and death.

Christians today are living in the last days, in the worst time for the Church. During these difficult times, one day the world will be stripped of its financial wealth, bringing about the entrance of the Antichrist. Under his rule, people will not be able to buy or sell without a mark on the back of the hand or forehead. There will be no cash. Those in society who refuse this identity mark will have to go into hiding. As in the time of Rome, a person will either be for Christ or against Him (Revelation 13).

Like Paul, pastors are warning this generation that they need to be aware of the times. If the Rapture does not come soon, I believe the Church will experience hard times. Things are happening so fast that many people cannot keep up with all the changes. The perplexity of these times is raising our stress levels.

In the future, what if you cannot buy milk and bread? What if you lose your job? What are you going to do? It is crazy where we are heading. violence and crime will increase, and the military will have to be placed in cities to bring control. This is a time when Christians need to be on their knees! People need to wake up out of sleep—Jesus is coming back!

A tender heart is a wakeful, watchful heart. It watches against sin in the soul, sin in the calling, sin in spiritual duties and performance.
~John Bunyan~

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