Discerning the Signs of the Times

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Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day for their inability to discern the spiritual times, in which they were living. They were able to predict the weather by simply looking at the sky. However, although they had given their lives to the study of scripture, they were unable to discern that Jesus was their promised Messiah. “But He replied to them, When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red. And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and has a threatening look.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but cannot interpret the signs of the times?” Matthew 16:2-3 KJV

On one occasion, Jesus told the Pharisees, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,” John 5:39 ESV. How is it that men who had given their entire lives to the study of God’s word were not able to recognize the Messiah, about whom they had repeatedly studied? The answer to this question is, they were blinded by self ambition. They were doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. They studied God’s word because they wanted to be glorified by men. They wanted social status and to be revered by men.  Jesus says, “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” John 5:44 ESV

What mattered most, to those religious leaders, was self preservation. They wanted to preserve their ministries and positions of honor within the temple. They viewed Jesus as a serious threat, which is why they wanted to kill him. They were not at all interested in the fact that Jesus fulfilled every prophesy about the Messiah. They did not care about God’s will. Their only interests were themselves. “So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” John 11:47-48 ESV

Jesus never sought the glory of men. He knew men did not have the ability to judge righteously because they did not possess the love of God . “I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.” John 5:41 ESV

Most humans have some level of ambition. We usually call it “life goals.” Setting goals and working to achieve them can be good. However, if not submitted to the lordship of Christ, self ambition can easily become an idol and lead us away from the path of righteousness. Thereby, causing us to lose all spiritual discernment. 

Today countless preachers and teachers, who were once great men and women of God, have become so self-centered, ambitious and carnal that they no longer anticipate the return of Christ. Yet we are closer to His return than ever before. One needs only to watch the news to know the end of all things is near. You may ask, “Why aren’t more apostles, bishops, evangelist and teachers warning people? Why are they just going on with the usual religious status quo?” Like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, most cannot discern the times. Sadly, they are too busy building their own kingdoms, merchandising the house of God, appealing to the masses and seeking the approval of man. Nevertheless, there still remains a remnant of men and women of God who have remained faithful to Christ. They tend to be very unpopular people.

I believe God is calling for us to seek Him with our whole hearts. We must confess our sin, repent and turn back to following Jesus Christ. We must put to death every ambition that exalts itself against the will of God. We must turn from seeking the approval of man to seeking the approval God. Then and only then, will we truly discern the spiritual times, in which we are living, and preach the unadulterated gospel that is able to transform lives.

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,” Acts 3:19-20 ESV