After the terrible events of the past week, a question is being asked, "Is Hurricane Harvey a sign? Did we miss something with Hurricane Katrina, so worse came in the form of Harvey? It is appropriate to be thinking about this, especially at this time of year. This time of year is a period known as "teshuva". It is associated with the Fall Feasts of the LORD, with the return of Israel to the land, and with the return of hearts to God. We should be contemplating world events, and the signs of the times:
"It is the glory (kabode-splendor, heavy with honor) of God to conceal a thing (dabar-word, command, promise): but the honor (kabode-same as previous) of kings is to search out a matter (dabar-same as previous)." Prov. 25:2
It is God's will and our purpose as His kings and priests, to search out these matters. Jesus scolded God's people because He wanted them to properly discern the signs of the times, but they failed to do so (Mt. 16:3).
One significant sign of the latter days, or end times, is the wickedness that prevails in men's hearts-even, unfortunately, in the Church:
"Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." 2 Pet. 3:3-4
An attitude of scoffing at the return of Christ exists today, as it did then, and men are determined to walk in the lust of the flesh like never before. We see the connection between sinful character and the end times repeatedly in scripture, and we are strongly warned not to allow ourselves to be partakers in this evil character:
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away (apostasia- defection from truth, the state, writing of divorcement) first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he that now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way." 2 Thess. 2:3, 7
The revealing of the evil in our own hearts that causes us to turn from God, from Christ, is directly related to the revealing of the embodiment of evil character, the Anti-Christ. The spirit of antichrist is already at work in the world (1 Jn. 4:3).
Paul connects the evil in men's hearts and perilous times:
"This know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good." 2 Tim. 3:1-3
Believers in Christ should not be partaking of this same evil character that feeds the growth of evil in the end times...quite the opposite:
"...that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." Phil. 2:15
In addition, we have been given the spiritual armor of God, for the purpose of standing in His righteousness in these evil times (Eph. 6:13).
Again, Paul exhorts:
"Be ye not therefore, partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light...Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord, and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, rather reprove them. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time for the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."
Eph. 5:7-11, 15-17
Walking in light, and wisdom is not for our benefit only, but we can actually redeem the time that has been overtaken by evil and wickedness. We are to lay aside all malice, guile, hypocrisies, envies, and evil speaking, abstaining from fleshly lusts (1 Pet. 2:1, 11). We have been called to something very different in this chosen generation, because we have been called out of that darkness, and into His marvelous light. God has made us His spiritual house, His royal priesthood, a holy nation, from every nation, kindred, tribe and tongue, of peculiar (of place, time, and purpose) people (v. 9).
We are called to be builders in these evil days, not destroyers, repairers and restorers of the ways of righteousness (Isa. 58:12).
As with the time of teshuva, this is the time to draw near and honor the LORD. Our ways, pleasures, and words, are to be His ways, pleasures, and words (v. 13). We are not called to add to division and strife, which is carnal, but we, the Church especially, must be laborers together with God (1 Cor. 3:4, 9).
Is Hurricane Harvey a sign? In the days of tribulation upon the earth, Jesus said that there would be "distress of nations with perplexity (be in doubt, not knowing what to do, or which way to turn); the sea and the waves roaring" (Lk. 21:25). As a nation, we have turned our own way. We have trusted in ourselves, and we have turned our backs on God. There are great trials coming upon the earth, and are now here, that carnal ways and understanding cannot solve. If we, as a nation, continue to choose to rely upon those things that cannot deliver us, we will reap distress and perplexity as a result.
However, we, the Church, also are a sign in these days of wickedness. The LORD put it this way:
However, we, the Church, also are a sign in these days of wickedness. The LORD put it this way:
"If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chron.. 7:14
Today, Sunday, has been declared a national day of prayer. On this day, in this teshuva season, it is good for us to remember this promise from God, and turn back to Him.
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