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SCRIPTURE READINGS

ISAIAH 65:17-25

2 THESSALONIANS 3:6-13

LUKE 21:5-19

SUNDAY REFLECTION

“Signs of the end time” is the theme for our Sunday Reflection. Signs of the end time are events that will take place before the second coming of Jesus Christ. We shall look at three important facts about the signs of the end time:

1. Jesus points us to the signs of the end time so that we will not be misled.
2. The signs of the end time are signs of hope to the believers.
3. The signs of the end time are not an excuse for idleness.

Firstly, the signs of the end time are not hidden from us. Jesus points us to the signs in Luke 21:8-18. The signs are summarised as follows: The anti-christ will precede Christ to deceive the world, there will be wars or conflicts, natural disasters will happen concurrently that will result in famine and diseases, terror and great signs from the heavens and persecution of believers. In other words, Jesus warns his disciples to not be deceived by false messiahs and prophets who will claim, “I am he” and that “the time is near.” He advises them to be vigilant, as there will be wars, rebellions, and persecutions before the final events. Dear friend, since the world was created, it must surely come to an end, for Jesus assures us that “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Luke 21:33). It is for this reason Jesus gives us the signs of the end time so that we will not be taken by surprise but we shall “Watch and pray that we may not enter into temptation.” (Matthew 26:41)

Secondly, believers are not to lose hope or be terrified about the signs of the end time but must be hopeful and endure to the end, for Jesus assures us that “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance, you will gain your lives. (Luke 21:17-19). Gaining our lives means that we shall be part of the eternal and indestructible New Heaven and New Earth Prophet Isaiah talked about, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness.” (Isaiah 65:17-18) Although this was an existential Prophesy for the exiled and remnant Israelites about God’s restoration, it also has an eternal relevance for believers of all centuries up to the second coming of Jesus Christ. A heavenly picture of peace is painted for the faithful in that “The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the LORD.” (Isaiah 65:25). The signs of the end time gives us hope and encourage us to prepare to experience the new heaven and earth God has prepared for believers who will endure to the end. “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)

Thirdly, the signs of the end time are not an excuse for idleness. We are to continue working diligently for the Lord and also remain productive even as we experience the signs of the end time and await the final appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul admonished the Thessalonian Christians, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-13). Dear friend, idleness is not a Christian virtue, Jesus our Saviour was not an idle person for He said, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Matthew 8:20). Peter also testified to the diligence of Jesus when he said “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem,” (Acts 10:38-39). No matter the signs of the end time, we have no excuse to be idle, we must keep working for the Lord and for our own productivity. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. “(Ecclesiastes 9:10)

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “signs of the end time” and the three facts we deduced are: Jesus has already pointed us to the signs of the end so that we will not be misled, the signs of the end time are signs of hope to believers, therefore, we should endure to the end, last but not the least, the signs of the end time are not an excuse for idleness we must continue to be productive even as we experience the signs of the end time and await the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit empower us to be watchful and ready for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ even as we experience the signs of the end time. Amen.