Skies 'Red And Threatening'

by PRASHER, G. | Category: Focus | Jan 2003

They had come to the Lord Jesus, testing Him and asking Him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered: '"When it is evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red'; and in the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening'. Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times"'(Mat.16:2,3). Does this not confirm that we should be able to recognize certain significant signs of the times in today's world? As another year dawns, is it not true that the skies are indeed 'red and threatening'?

Among the prominent signs of the times are wars and rumours of wars, famines and earthquakes, for these were emphasized by the Lord when speaking to His disciples about features which would characterize the end times (Mat.24:6-8). Nor can we mistake evidences of the grievous times predicted about the last days by the apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 3: men being lovers of self and of money, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, and attitudes of unthankfulness and unholiness.

Internationally we see the involvement of the United Nations and major world powers in the complex problems of the Middle East. The struggle between the Palestinians and Israel has defied attempts to mediate. The Palestinian cause is championed by many in the Arab world, who see American support for Israel as the outworking of strong Jewish influence on United States policy.

The intense American pressure on Iraq regarding weapons of mass destruction has emphasized the potential danger to Israel from that quarter. For Israel would be within easy range of Iraqi missiles if these were deployed. In pressing his case against Iraq before the United Nations, President Bush cited case after case of Iraq's defiant non-compliance with United Nations resolutions about arms inspections. He challenged the Organisation now to enforce compliance or lose all credibility. After much debate a strict new resolution was eventually put in place.

Ironically, Israel also has failed to comply with many United Nations resolutions - about settlements in the 'occupied territories', or withdrawal from areas allocated to the Palestinians, and similar contentious matters. Does Scripture not predict a future day when, under sovereign divine control, a World Organisation (however then structured) will decree the gathering of 'all the nations to battle against Jerusalem?' (Zech.14:1-2) And is not that same crisis viewed in Revelation 16:12-16 as involving Satanic influence over 'the kings ... of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty?'

In the light of such reflections Year 2003 seems likely to be fraught with increasing tensions and perils throughout the world. How relevant are the Master's reassuring words, '"See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass"' (Mat.24:6). Thankfully we may share the apostles' confidence in the outworking of God's purposes as they prayed: '"Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that is in them ... For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord; look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word"' (Acts 4:24-29).

Like those worthy leaders of the first Church of God in Jerusalem may we seek grace to trust God to overrule about threatened evil or terror, and give priority to pressing on with the work He has entrusted to us, to speak His word with boldness. Certainly those early days of apostolic witness were for them tempestuous through persecution for the sake of the Name, So often in the deep wisdom of God times of difficulty and danger have conditioned people more readily to consider the Word, and find eternal security through faith in the Lord Jesus. As to our testimony it remains true that 'He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap' (Eccl.11:4).

Despite skies 'red and threatening' as Year 2003 begins, it may nevertheless become a year of abundant fruitfulness, 'according to the good hand of our God upon us'.

PRASHER, G. | Jan 2003
Focus