Influencers Weekly Devotional

Go With ME

Embracing our Sacred Responsibility with Christ

Signs of the Times

"Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist." 2 John 1:7

I don't know the persuasion of all of the readers of these devotionals. Certainly, opinions are diverse, and all of you have an opinion on most important matters, or at least I hope you do. For example many of you, like some other very knowledgeable theologians, have different opinions on the return of Christ and the events that will lead up to it. But, whether you and I are Pre, Post or of the A-millennialism persuasion makes no difference as to the time, place and manner Jesus returns. He will do it when, where and how He desires, and no matter what we may think or believe, it will still be a mystery that will unfold before us. We just cannot know the details of His return for sure, for all of the details have not been clearly revealed. However, Jesus did mention signs that will precede His return, and as His Church, we should be alert to it. Old Testament and New Testament writers also referenced events in time that would give us an obscure calendar, to remind us of Christ's return. So, the truth is: Christ is coming back. Whether it is in a few months, years or another millennium is not known. But the Bride Groom will return to claim His bride, the Church. It will happen, and we should be ready as if it could happen at any moment, especially since there are signs right now that say it could be soon. The passage I've referenced above was written by the Apostle John. In it we read a reference to the antichrist. Note that John spoke of anyone who deceives and does not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh is the deceiver and the antichrist. Therefore, it appears that John was speaking of the antichrist spirit and perspective, rather than the person we are led to believe will come on the scene at or about the time of Christ's return. John's letter doesn't exclude such a person, only that there is also a perspective of antichrist that certain people will have. Certainly, if there is such a person called the Antichrist who will come on the scene, it would also be reasonable to assume that he would be preceded by an attitude and world perspective that would welcome him, one which seems to need him? I have seen things developing that would indicate such? Look around and see if you can spot what I'm seeing. In my last visit in Western Europe, it didn't take me long to see a difference in the attitude of the people compared to 26 years before when I was there. There was also a "feeling" of darkness that surrounded me. Through inquiries I discovered that, by in large, there is an absence of faith in God by the people born and raised there. The magnificent churches and cathedrals are no more than museums of the past. The cradle of the Protestant awakening is now a graveyard of memories. An attitude of "We need no God for we are our own god," prevails. Through further inquires, I discovered that this attitude permeates all of Western Europe and Great Britain. To these people, God is dead, if He had ever been alive. The neat, orderly existence of these "We are our own god people" is moving toward calamity. Those antichrists who are promoting that there is no God and the future is in the hands of mankind to make a better world, are starting to see how flawed their creation is. They have been methodically trying the take God out of the schools, out of government, and yes, out of the church. But the results are showing in their sacred economy, their controlled environment, and the stability of the world they are trying to create. It is heading toward calamity. I mentioned Western Europe as an example. But our country is also systematically being led in the same direction by this antichrist attitude. We all hope that a new change in our Congress will halt the building antichrist movement in our nation, as it can be seen strongly in new laws and bazaar interpretations of old ones by the Supreme Court. But I have serious concern that it may continue, for it could be signs of the times we are seeing, and our efforts will not be able to change its progression. It is so apparent to me that there has been a hidden agenda by an antichrist movement operating behind the scenes in this nation for a good while. Have you seen it? Have you been able to see how their message has been promoted in the news, in the entertainment industry, certain political movements and in new laws? I have. So, if this movement continues, what will the inevitable calamity promote in the public's eye? No doubt, it will be a need to have a "savior" who will show them the way out of their woes. It was the same with Hitler, as he was perceived to be a savior for the German nation. Because their nation was in ruins economically, and the people were discouraged by their life conditions, they were looking for someone to lead them out, even a diabolical, evil man like Hitler. Oh, he wasn't perceived as such in the early stages. But as time progressed, they, along with the rest of the world saw him as he was. The key point is that the conditions made them desire an answer man with a plan, one who had the charisma to deceive them. It is the same with the evil man called the Antichrist, and it will be the antichrist movement that will prepare the way, by creating conditions and a perspective that will make the people of this world welcome him. As a man of God, the questions are: what do we do, and how do we prepare for this calamity? Look what Jesus said to His disciples, for it applies to you and me: “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place? ” He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near. ’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away. ” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. Luke 21:7-15 (NIV) How do we prepare for this calamity, and how do we defend against it? What did Jesus say? "Make up your mind to not worry beforehand how you will defend yourself." This applies to us now if we are seeing signs of the times, or if it just another difficult time in history that God will prevail over. Either way, as a man of God, we live out our faith in Christ to our world around us, and we grow in our faith, by trusting Him more deeply. Jesus will return for His Church, and it will be the greatest joy and the greatest relief we will have ever known. Until He does, we have a sacred responsibility to serve Him in this life. Watching and waiting. But living and serving to His glory, Rocky CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THIS DEVOTIONAL