Of The Times and Signs; Are Our Lamps Lit?

For many years I’ve heard people say in response to hearing that the Lord was soon to return that it wasn’t the first time that they heard it. It’s been said for centuries! To hear their answer, it’s as if, and I’ll admit this, ‘the eschatologically driven, focused and hyper church prophets’ are viewed as a  minion of little boys and girls who cried wolf too many times. Yes, many cried wolf, but isn’t it also true that the town; which grew weary of the warnings, wasn’t prepared when the wolf came? Then again, what of our Lord’s parable of the ten virgins? Having no oil in their lamps, five of them weren’t ready. The point is, yes, many in the past might have jumped the gun, but they honestly believed they had correctly interpreted Scripture in light of world events. Nonetheless, we are still told; despite their errors, to be prepared and watchful. Let me put it this way: It’s one thing to err related to a predicted date and time of His coming; it’s another thing to miss His return entirely and find the door closed.

Am I saying the Lord’s return is imminent? Compared to eternity, what is imminent given a few thousand years? Our brothers and sisters in Christ have been watching for our Lord’s return since He was caught up in the clouds. The question is, what were they watching for after He departed their sight? Were they looking for our Lord’s bodily return or were they, as the Bereans, diligently searching the Scripture on the signs that would have to transpire before His return? The interesting thing is that whatever is common of men and creation, it is repeated, and hence, with every generation there have been wars and rumors of wars; earthquakes and so on to keep us guessing, but even in guessing, it takes forethought and understanding. I remember in the early 1970s Hal Lindsey’s ‘The Late Great Planet Earth.’ Let me tell you, it was hard not to agree that the Soviet Union wasn’t the Gog and Magog of Ezekiel; let alone the prophetic role the 10-nation European Common Market would come to play as mankind hurtled towards the end.

On the other hand, permit me to say there’s something in the air, and given the fact that the Devil is the prince of the power of the air, it isn’t surprising. I’m not saying that as a fear monger; for those in Christ have nothing to fear; regardless of whether you follow a pre, post tribulation or amillenial point of view. The question we must ask is whether we are truly in Christ, and if so, what are the evidences of our salvation? Are we living Today as He called us: holy and sanctified? Those same evidences will provide our assurance of redemption and protection regardless of what is coming down the earthly path of creation’s rush to renewal… a new heaven and earth. Sometimes, I think the rocks and trees long more for the end of the pollution that sin brought; than we the supposed higher creature. Nonetheless….

Where there is fear, doubt exists; and where doubt exists; unbelief, and we know that unbelief; which is counter to faith, is sin. Therefore, we must confess our sin and appeal to God to help us in our unbelief. This, our Lord readily understands and is willing to forgive; replenishing the oil in our lamps. In my view, the question is not whether Christ will return, or when, but will we have the oil in our lamps that Jeremiah brought to the widow? Eternal, without depletion; consumed and replenished, to God’s eternal glory and honor. Even so, let all our lamps be lit. Let this ever-darkening world see. If not us, where then is the light?