Times Have Signs…
June 19th, 2009 | Michael Q. Pink
“The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and testing him desired that he would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, 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 overcast. O you hypocrites, you can discern the appearance of the sky; but can you not discern the signs of the times?” Matthew 16:1 - 4
Here’s a very important clue today my friends in discerning the “eth” of God. Jesus just finished feeding 4000 men plus women and children using a sack lunch that a boy had brought to the meeting. You would think that might be pretty impressive but the next thing you read is that the Pharisees, are asking for a sign from heaven. I guess they thought the loaves and fishes thing was slight of hand and wanted to see something up in the sky!
Notice how Jesus chides them for being able to discern the appearance of the sky, a naturally observable phenomenon but not being able to discern the signs of the times. Guess what? The times or the “eth’s” of God have signs! And the Pharisees should have been able to read or discern the “eth’s” but they could not. For me, just knowing that the “eth’s” of God have accompanying signs is very helpful. I can begin to trace this thing out. Figuring out this “eth” mystery is sort of like placing a coin under a piece of paper and then taking a pencil and rubbing over the coin to reveal the design on the coin.
Notice that the sons of Issachar were able to understand the times but the Pharisees could not? Jesus was talking about the same thing but gives us a clue. There are signs to every “eth”. The “eth” can refer to the time a woman gives birth or to the regulating of the tide. So what are the signs that a woman is going to give birth? If you know them, you know what’s coming and hopefully you know what to do. What are the signs of the incoming tide? If you know them, you can take advantage of the high water. If you don’t recognize the signs, you might get trapped far from shore and drown.
What I want you to do now is to begin matching up known signs with known “eth’s” and let’s look for patterns. The examples I gave of the tide and a woman giving birth are just two. We need more. We need to find the pattern on the coin. I solicit your viewpoint.
June 19th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Hi Michael, this is really helpful. I got a sign this morning. It is winter here, and there was a heavy frost all over the farmland. I looked out and said “The fields are white” … then instantly the Holy Spirit said “But not unto harvest! Your work is to thaw the frost in the lives of unbelievers so that they can be ploughed, seeded and brought to harvest in a coming season. ‘ Misinterpreting the times could mean I try to put in the plough and get no fruit. My work is to plan the programme schedule for our regional TV station, which has a community licence but is owned by Christians. I find this ‘eth’ helpful in choosing the content, and also in our dealings with the community.
June 19th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Well Michael, you are right on the fact that the next thing you read is the Pharisees and also the Sadducees questioning Jesus about the signs. However, that is actually in a different chapter so, it could be hours, days, or even months from the feeding of the 4 thousand.
You have to keep in mind that this was not written as it happened it was basically by memory later on. And Matthew, Mark, Luke and John didn’t remember every thing the same way when they found the time to put their accounting in print. I’m sure God has the DVD of the whole thing, just like he does of our lives.
I hope I will never see your life mistakes and all and hope you don’t have to sit through mine either. That is just too much information. I don’t think either one of us would have a right to throw stones at the other.
Can I change the subject here? I’m on several e-mail lists and delete most of them but, I always read yours. You are an inspiration to me!
June 19th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Is there any indication in scripture as to whether or not the sons of Issachar interpreted corperately or individually. Is it possible that a key to their discernment was in a corperate setting, in light of the fact that Christ is the head and we are all parts of the body. What if this type of discerning comes when we learn to submit one to another
June 19th, 2009 at 8:58 am
When the skies get dark, it’s time for rain……
June 19th, 2009 at 9:32 am
This may seem simple to some, but it is how the Spirit of God has led my husband and i for 15 years now. We have been Pastor and Youth Pastor of 4 churches. In determining the eth of God in our lives, i.e. when the Lord is getting ready to move us on, we begin to feel a restlessness in our spirit. A detaching of sorts from the people. A hunger and desire for more of Him. Then, inevitably, we get a couple of offers to do this or that before the ONE path He has chosen for us. We have learned to be patient during this season of transition, becuase it lasts in differing lengths of time. But when the eth of God or His chairos timing is here, we just know it and the Spirit of God handles all the details.
June 19th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Would enjoy hearing any thoughts about the “eth” signs of our nation’s economy. Those of us in business need to be planning ahead 1,3 and 5 years out in order to make wise decisions today. I’m hearing from other business people that they feel we are on the way to improvement. What signs are there that this might be so? If we time it right, we will be ready to take advantage of a huge surge when our competition is still sitting around watching the national news and wringing their hands. What are you seeing?
June 19th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Jeff spoke of us (the church) ‘learning to sumit to one another’. It is always God’s eth for those of the church to get along, to disagree on doctrine and practice, yet in the process remain respectful and friends. Remember, Jesus said the the world would know us by the love we have for each other.
June 19th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Michael thank you for your word this morning. I have recently opened by soul, spirit, and heart to the Lord and Jesus Christ in pray that is belief and trust.
What I have discovered over the past two years is that I do not have full confidence, trust, and belief that our Lord wants to help me personally. I did understand on a mental level God wants to help us, but not on a spiritual level of actually receiving. What I discovered was, it was not God taking a long time to answer my pray, but it was me taking a long time to receive, it wasn’t me patiently waiting for God, it was God patiently waiting for me. My spiritual life has significantly changed. I feel so blessed now that I look for God assistance, wisdom, guidance. When I feel God is spiritually moving me in a direction (God’s timing) then I know that I must take the next steps to look for God directions. I am mindful that God is listening, are we.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Interestingly, Cindy used some words above that I was also planning to use. You see, my daughter-in-law is soon to give birth and we are discerning the “eth” of that event, as we have a 3 hour trip to reach her to be there. When a woman is preparing to give birth, there is a restlessness that sets in, as well as a burst of energy. There is anticipation, of the coming event and what will surround the situation. There is also often a misinterpretation (called false labor), because of anxiousness setting in. When we are ready to wait, God rewards our faith with the fruit of our labor in due season.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Michael,
Thank you for soliciting our viewpoints. I see you have already recieved some excellent and insightful viewpoints. You mentioned the feeding of the 4000. The traditional viewpoint and interpretation is that Jesus just took the little boy’ s loaves and fishes and supernatually materialized from them more and more loaves and fishes enough to feed the 4000. But God has been teaching me to question such traditional viewpoints and interpretations. Could it be that the little boy’s unselfish willingness to share the food his mother had no doubt sent with him tipped off a spontaneous reaction in others of the 4000 to share the food they had aslo brought with them? This interpretation would indicate a “sign” that “The kingdom of God was at hand.” As God has revealed his kingdom to me from scripture, I have come to realize that God’ s kingdom will be manifested on earth as people’ s hearts are “spontaneously changed” from being selfish, unloving, unmerciful and unbenevolent to being unselfish, loving, merciful and benevolent. This was evident in the early Church of Jesus Christ in which it was said they held all things in common and no man considered anything their own. Those who had houses and lands sold them and deposited the proceeds at the apostles feet to distribute to those who had need. The fact that this information about the early Church was stated twice in the book of Acts tells me it is a very important “sign” of the kingdom of God being at hand. There are many “signs” of God’ s kingdom recorded in scripture. Jesus told the Pharisees who were looking for a sign of the kingdom of God, “If I, with the finger of God, cast out demons, then no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.” Thus, the casting out of demons is a sign of the kingdom of God being at hand. Moreover, the overall restoration of God’ s kingdom on earth comes about as Father
God’ s rightous judgments come on earth and as Jesus destroys the works of the devil and removes his influences from the consciousness of ALLmankind. Jesus said, “Now is the judgment of this world. Now is the prince of this world cast out. and I, if I be lifted up, I will draw ALL men unto me.” “For as in Adam All men die, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive.” 1Cor. 15:22
When John the Baptist was asked what he meant by, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” he responded with an excellent illustration of repentance, “If you have two coats, share one with a person who needs a coat. To the tax collectors he said, “Do not take more tax than is required.” In other words, “Be honest!”
To the soldiers who were the local police of that day, he said, “Do no violence to any man.” which in the Greek means do not extort money from those you are sworn to protect. Be satisfied with your pay. Just think of the corruption that runs rampant in police forces of the world. But I think our American police force may be among the least corrupt. Possibly Great Britain’s police force IS the least corrupt. Latin American and Caribbean police forces are very corrupt.
The current financial crisis we are in is a “sign” of the FULLNESS of the iniquity of the Babylonian system of doing business selfishly, greedily, and without concern for our neighbors. If we have the wisom of the sons of Issachar, we should know that this crisis will bring changes in the way the world will conduct business. If we are to be successful, we should position our businsess to be able to operate within these changes. One of these changes wll be in the field of credit mangement and operation. Expect
God’ s 7 year debt release laws to play a more acive roll in the credit industry. Already chapter 7 bankruptcy represents God’ s jubilee laws. I know that these changes will be orchestrated by God and will begin as a grain of mustard seed planted in the hearts and minds of mankind where men will catch a vision of God’ s kingdom principles in action and it will cause them to begin sharing, loving, holding all things in common and everyone helping one another in an honest and righteous manner. At every point in this process, God has ordained that Satan be there to try to defend his evil corrupt kingdom from being taken over by using his tactics of misdirecting, manipulating and tempting people to not embrace God’ s kingdom principles and values but to stay committed and alligned to the Satanic all-to-familiar kingdom principles of selfishness, lying, cheating, hoarding wealth and not loving our neighbor as our selves.
Already, with this current crisis, we see children returning to live with their parents, friends letting friends who have lost their homes move in with them. We are seeing an unpresedented amout of sharing going on. People are reassesseing their wealth and resources and pooling it and sharing it for the common good just as I think the 4000 did with the food resources they had had brought with them as they followed Jesus into the wilderness some 2000 years ago. The idea (or myth) of rugged American indiviualism and competitive market advantage is dying and being replaced by godly socialistic kingdom values and principles that Jesus illustrated in his parables and demonstrated in his life and in the life of his church such as sharing, honesty, loving your neighbor as yourself, righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The charismatic renewal movement in the church was a “sign” of David’ s temple of praise being restored. The unconvering, prosecution and removal of corruption in our governments, businesses, education, family, media and arts systems (mountains) are “signs” that we are in the days of Moses, “Righteousness being restored.” Behold he comes riding on the clouds, shining like the sun. It is the time of jubilee. Out of Zion’ s Hill salvation comes–for all mankind!
Now here’s a mind blower: I believe Karl Marx read the book of Acts and caught the vision of God’ s kingdom being restored on earth. As a social historian, Karl Marx saw the coming of God’ s kingdom on earth as inevitable. This belief of Karl Marx is what influenced Nikita Kruchev to say to the corrupt capitalistic Western powers, “We (Marxist Communisits) will bury you.” It was from the book of Acts saying those who had houses and lands sold them…etc that he got his mantra for socialism and redistribution of wealth, “From each according to his ability, to each acording to his need.” Marx was also quite right in saying “Religion is the opiate of the people.” The Christian religion today as well as the Muslim and other religious belief systems do little more than make people “feel good” about their miserable, deplorable and vain lives by promising them pie in the sky in the after life. But pie in the sky in the afterlife is not the hope of abundant life that Jesus and his brothers and sisters are bringing to earth.
The abundant life of Jesus is available in his kingdom in the here and now! Amen! So all we need do is, “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.” But if we cannot repent due to hardness of our hearts, God will give us a new heart in which he will place his spirit that will cause us to do his statutes and to walk in them. (Ezekiel 36: 26)
The signs of God’ s kingdom now being restored are everywhere. But they can be seen only by those who are spiritually mature and who want to see them. Those who are satisfied with their wealth and their their lives may have little need to see any signs of God’s kingdom being restored on earth. But that, of course, will not prevent God’ s resotoration work from proceeding as scheduled. Very soon even the rich and materially satisfied will see that the glory of God has filled the whole earth.
David Thompson
June 19th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Here in Michigan our seasons have a wider variance than in some other regions. There are many “eth” signs that spring is approaching other than just looking to the calendar. One can study past seasonal cycles for a clue, notice temperature swings and patterns, note the angle of the sun, note the return of birds and increased activity and appearance of many animals, note buds forming on trees, note thaw/softening of the ground, perrenial flowers beginning to break ground, etc. Hopefully once I read Rainforest Strategy I will have a sense on how to apply this kind of information to my business/financial life, spiritual life, etc.
The response from Rex got me thinking about something. As much as part of me wants to resist the move to and dependence on the internet for anything and everything, it’s growth and potential can not be ignored. Seems to be a sign to me, whether your business serves a large market or a small niche that it is to your advantage to build your presence on the web so you will be an obvious find as economic activity rebounds.
June 19th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Here in the uttermost western corner of Texas we have the dry climate, desert and our beautiful mountains. In the northeast section of the city on one side of the mountains grow yellow poppies, but not every year. We must have rain in the latter part of the year and we must have rain in the beginning part of the year around February, and it must be sufficient to wet the ground well. But that is not enough; we also have to have a “warming” of the climate at just the right time in order to the seeds to start blooming. when all of these happen sequentially you can see fields and fields of yellow poppies for miles and wherever the March winds have blown the seeds. If the weather warms up but turns cold again that quenches the growth of the poppies and deters some of the others from blooming. Last year we had the Poppy Festival and there was not a single poppy. This is all God’s doing, in His time and when He chooses. God bless you all.
June 19th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
The Kingdom of God/Heaven isn’t about any form of man made ideologies be they socialist, communist or capitalist coming into their own unique unabounded fullness given the fallen nature of mankind. The Lord’s ways are much higher than our ways as well as His thoughts. He does insturct us to firstly love Him with all our hearts & our neighbours as ourselves. This is the real example of Acts 2 with the community of new believers sharing amongst each other.
As for the feeding of the 4 & 5 thousands the Lord is capable of anything as we see in the Creation story. He can multiply anything out of nothing or He can motivate by example for others to share what they have.
June 20th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Hi Mr. Martin
“Thy Kingdom Come” Heaven, Maybe???
June 20th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
As I see it, God’ s purpose in giving us signs of the times and seasons is so we, his children, will know what he is doing in his great salvation process of restoring his kingdom on earth. The mission of Jesus, and we his followers, in this great salvation process, is to destroy the works of the devil and to remove the devil’ s influence from the minds of all mankind. St. Paul has written much about the signs of the times and seasons of
God’ s restoration of his kingdom on earth. He says that in the final days, perilous times will come, for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blsphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection etc. etc. ..having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. This, to me, seems to be the state of the church today, who for the most part, do not want to hear anything about God’ s kingdom being restored on earth. I see selfishness everywhere, especially in the church. But at the same time I see the vanity of so many people’ s selfish lives, I am filled with hope that God’ s kingdom abundant, eternal life is supplanting this vanity that King Soloman so aptly describes in Ecclesiastes. My hope reflects what St. Paul was saying in Romans 8:20, For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope.
This is one of God’ s great mysteries that hides God’ s purpose to restore his kingdom and how he does it from the devil and his minions.
Jesus’ s sermon of the mount was a profound affirmation of what Father God is doing to restore his kingdom on earth; those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled, God’ s peacemakers, we his children, will be bring glad tidings and publishing peace throughout the earth (How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good tidings, that publish peace….). Those that mourn will be comforted. (They shall look upon ME whom they have pierced and shall mourn for him as one mourns for his only son). The pure in heart shall see God!
The earth will be filled with God’ s glory! I see this happening. How about you?
David Thompson
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:53 am
Keep it simple…not much else needs to be said. WE should be discerning the “signs” as we live and continue to move forward for the cause of Christ and believe the Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob IS who HE said He is!
Moreover, what He said is going to happen IS happening and we simple mus do our part as believers especially as it relates to the great commission.
June 26th, 2009 at 9:14 am
I find it curious that only the Church in Jerasulem was noted to have “all things in common”. Could it be that they discerned the “eth” that Jesus had told them about in Mathew 24 concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age of the old covenant sacrificial system?
June 26th, 2009 at 10:23 am
To Michael B.
I think you are right on. The followers of Jesus had listened intently in their inward man to what Jesus said concerning the destruction of Jerusalem that was prophesied in Daniel 9:23-27 and they took heed and departed Jerusalem for the hills and thereby escaped the pending wrath of God that he used Rome to carry out in 70 AD. No doubt the the Jewish religious leaders were also aware of this prophecy because John the Baptist and Jesus made reference to them desiring to escape the wrath of God that was to come upon Jerusalem because they had stoned the prophets and shed the righteous blood, even of Abel. This vengeance of God was upon the devil who was the sinner from the beginning. In God’ s judgment he removes the devil and his influences from mankind. This is borne out in the words of Jesus, “Now is the judgment of this world. “Now is the prince of this world cast out. and I, if I be lifted up, I will draw ALL men unto me.”
The Jewish leaders were blinded in their pride to the fact the vengeance of God was coming upon the seed of Satan in them. The devil had decieved them into thinking that the coming of Messiah would destroy Rome. But instead, just as Daniel 9:23-27 prophesied, the destruction would come upon Jerusalem on the the seed of Satan in them.
The church in Jerusalem held all things in common because God had changed their hearts and given them repentance to be unselfish and sharing instead of selfish and unsharing. They had become cleansed of the selfish seed of Satan in them and they operated in their “inward man” that St. Paul says, “delights in the law of God” (See romans 7:22). Jesus had removed the “law of sin” from them.
Its also curious that God used Rome to destroy Jerusalem when in many ways Rome represented the forces of Satan. But this is all part of God’ s great mystery that he uses Satans forces to destroy Satan’ s forces. In God’ s mysterious kingdom plan for earth, Satan’ s kingdom is divided within itself and it self-destructs. Amen!
In His Majesty’ s Secret Service,
David Thompson