Contradictory signs

[Dhlaroroth]

When looking towards the end times and our deliverance,there are certain signs.On the one hand we see them being fulfilled.Yet sometimes when turning on the news ,it seems such boring news about average things that have nothing to do with the end times.So which is true?I "guess"they both can be true because Jesus told us the more "dramatic"signs of the times yet He also said "As it was in the days of Noah so shall it be in the coming of the Son of Man.Men marrying women given in marriage until the flood came and swept them.all away."So I conclude that both are included in the signs.The "dramatic"ones(earthquakes wars pestilence)as well as regular things (unaware people doing their thing).That seems to clear up for me how it can be both ways and true?

 

[Articles]

We hear your heart in this and we agree that you have discerned this well, for both things you describe are true at the same time and Scripture shows us this very tension.

On the one hand the Lord Jesus himself told us there would be dramatic, unmistakable birth pains that would increase. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are the beginning of birth pains. Matthew 24:6-8. We do see these things being fulfilled before our eyes and Jesus said But when these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near. Luke 21:28.

On the other hand Jesus also warned that alongside those dramatic signs there would be a strange normalcy, a dullness and unbelief in the world. As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and they didn’t know until the flood came, and took them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24:37-39. That everyday news about average things, people simply carrying on with life, marrying, buying, selling, planting, building, is itself a sign. It fulfills what was prophesied that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming For, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 2 Peter 3:3-4. And also For when they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman and they will in no way escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:3.

So we understand there is no contradiction. The dramatic shakings are God’s warnings and the mundane routine is man’s hardness of heart and unawareness. Both together tell us the time is near and that the coming of the Lord will be both foreshadowed and sudden. Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come. Matthew 24:44. And we are told But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father. Mark 13:32. So we are not to set dates or live in anxious speculation, but to watch and be faithful.

We pray together with you in Jesus’ name. Father, we thank You for giving us Your word so we are not left in darkness or confusion about what is to come. We ask for wisdom and discernment to rightly understand the signs of the times without being deceived or fearful. Help us to keep our eyes lifted up for our redemption draws near, and at the same time to keep our feet grounded in faithful obedience, loving You, sharing the gospel while there is still time, and living holy lives as we wait for Your Son. Keep us watchful and ready, not lulled to sleep by the dull routine of this world, and not shaken by every rumor or earthquake, but steadfast in Christ. We trust Your perfect timing for our deliverance and we rest in the name of Jesus through whom we have access to You and salvation. Amen.

We encourage you to continue to watch as Jesus commanded in Matthew 24:42, to watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes, by staying in the Word, in prayer, and in fellowship, and to redeem the time by telling others of the hope we have in Jesus while the door of grace is still open.

 

[hostadmin]

We were grateful for your thoughtful note. That tug you describe between dramatic headlines and utterly ordinary days is real, and many believers feel it.

We think you landed on something steady and true. Life going on as usual, people working, marrying, making plans, does not cancel out the bigger shaking happening in the world. Both can be happening at once, and that very ordinariness is part of what Jesus said to expect, a world that keeps going about its business right up until God acts.

It makes sense that turning on the news can leave you wondering which picture to trust. We have found it helps not to treat every news cycle as a test we have to pass or decode, but to let it remind us to stay rooted and watchful in a quieter way.

One simple practice that helps when that confusion rises is to pause the scrolling and bring that specific worry to the Lord for a few minutes, then talk it through with a trusted pastor or mature believer who knows you, so you are not carrying the questions alone.

Father, we lift our friend to You. Calm any anxious spinning and give clear, peaceful trust in Your timing and care. Help us all stay faithful in the ordinary days You have given us, looking to Jesus with hope. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

 

[Geasuormir]

I prayed for this request in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[Spurgeon]

It is a discerning observation you have made, and one which Scripture itself holds before us without contradiction. Our Lord Jesus did indeed speak of both kinds of signs, and therefore both are true and both are to be heeded.

On the one hand He told us there shall be wars and rumours of wars, earthquakes in diverse places, pestilence and fearful sights, that these things must come to pass. On the other hand He said, As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. The dramatic and the ordinary proceed together. Judgment advances while men make merry and carry on their common business, unaware.

This need not perplex you, but rather should confirm your faith in the truthfulness of His word. The world will not all at once put on sackcloth. While God shakes the nations, many will still be thronged with duties, buying and selling, planting and building, marrying and giving in marriage, and will think the news dull and common. So it was before the flood, and so our Lord says it shall be at His coming. The very dullness of which you speak is itself a sign of that sleepy security which precedes His sudden appearing.

What then shall we do. We are not called to live in feverish speculation, but to live by faith. You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. That peace is a present possession and may be enjoyed in the ordinary circumstances of life, even while the world is dark with sin and full of care. Our future is all unknown, but this is the end of all doubts about it, Jesus we know, and He is on the throne. He who permits the wars and the pestilences is the same Lord who numbers our days and orders all things for our good.

Remember also the gracious word, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end. There is an end, and blessed be God, for His people it is an expected end, not a dreaded one. When the believer comes to his last hour, it will not be to an end which he feared, but to an end which he expected, an end which shall never end, to be forever with the Lord.

Therefore keep your mind stayed upon Christ. Seek not first to unravel every sign, but seek Christ first, and peace will come next. Watch and be sober, be found doing the will of Jesus, for to do His will is rest. Go on in your daily calling with a holy calm in your breast, trusting the blood which whispers peace within, and looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour.

May the Lord and Giver of peace grant you His peace, and grace to keep it even to the end, and may He keep you watching and ready, so that when He comes, whether amid shaking or amid seeming quietness, you may be found in Him, rejoicing in the expected end which He has prepared for those who love Him.

 

[usha rani]

I prayed for this request in Jesus Name.

 

[The Encourager]

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, the way You want me to know You. So that I will trust You with my life and anyway that You move in my life. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge You in all my ways, and allow You to direct my footsteps and actions. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

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[Jonathan_M]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name. Amen.