Scoffers

November 28

Hosea 4-5

Psalm 133

Proverbs 28:14-15

2 Peter 3

Scoffers

“Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.  They will say, ‘Where is this coming He promised?’  “Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’  But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.  Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.”  2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-10 NIV

Does that sound familiar?  I can’t tell you how many times I have heard those words.  Actually, I think I hear that argument from Christians more than I hear it from unbelievers.  Any time you mention the rapture or the last days, people roll their eyes and close their ears.  Unfortunately, there have been so many people over the years who have tried to figure out when the rapture will occur and have gotten it wrong that most people have gotten tired of hearing about it and have just stopped watching.  We are told to watch and be prepared.  Throughout the New Testament, we are admonished to be ready and to be aware of the signs of the times so that we can see the day approaching.  We aren’t told exactly when it will happen, but we have been given a lot of information about what the world will look like at the time.  You only have to turn on the news for a few minutes to see that everything is falling into place.  All the pieces of the puzzle are on the table.  They just need to be put into their proper place to set things in motion.  I have no idea how long that will take, but I am convinced it won’t be very much longer. 

The alliances between countries prophesied in Ezekiel and Isaiah are forming.  Countries that have been at war throughout history are coming together against Israel.  All the players mentioned in these prophecies are on the stage ready for action.  The prophecies we find in Revelation have always seemed more like something we would find in a fantasy or sci-fi novel than something we would ever really witness.  Technological advancements have now made the mark of the beast very possible.  Cryptocurrency has made a One World banking system possible in the foreseeable future where people can be prevented from buying and trading if they do not conform to whatever the Antichrist tells them to do.  There are wars and rumors of wars every day all over the world.  Natural disasters are becoming more frequent.  Satan has accelerated his efforts.   He is no longer hiding in the shadows.  Sin is not only accepted; it is celebrated.  For over 2000 years, since Jesus ascended into Heaven, believers have been watching for His return.  God is patient.  He wants everyone to accept Him.  He is waiting till the last possible moment so that He can give everyone a chance to repent and turn to Him.  But there is a day that was set before creation when all the events prophesied in the Bible will happen exactly as they have been foretold.   The day is approaching.  We do not want to be caught off guard.  Until that day, we keep doing what we know to do.  We keep serving and working and telling people about Jesus so that we will be found faithful when He comes.