SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Rom. 8:22-23 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.
When you think of the last days what is the first thing that comes into your mind? Is it the earthquakes, pestilences, and the rumors of war? Maybe it’s the hearts failing for fear, or people becoming lovers of themselves, lovers of money, or disobedience to parents. Surely those are signs of the end of all things as we know them. But are there other signs, more positive signs of the end of this age? I think the greatest Biblical sign of the last days has been overlooked by much of the church. The greatest sign in the book of Acts that assured the disciples that the time of the end had begun was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. For Peter, the coming of the Spirit sealed the deal. He was sure that “this was that” and the words of the prophets were beginning to be fulfilled right before his eyes. Gordon Fee is a contemporary theologian who shares some interesting thoughts about the Holy Spirit being a sign of the end. Check out his comments on today’s verses.
“Again, this verifies that for Paul the Spirit was an essentially eschatological reality ( sign of the times). For him and the Judaism he represented, the outpouring of the Spirit and the resurrection of the dead were the key elements to their eschatological hopes. For the early church, including Paul, the resurrection of Jesus and the subsequent gift of the eschatological Spirit meant that the future had only dawned, it was not yet fully realized. Raised with Christ already, we nonetheless await the final redemption of our bodies. Adopted as sons already, evidenced by the Spirit’s empowering us to cry “Abba Father”, we nonetheless await our final adoption as sons, which will take place at the resurrection, (the final redemption of our bodies).”
Is it possible that spiritual activity, rather the outpouring of the Holy Spirit will increase as we draw closer to the end? I think so. I believe we have entered into a specific time in history where the outpourings of the Spirit will increase in frequency and in intensity. If we do live in perilous times, if people’s hearts are callous and hardened toward spiritual things, then an outpouring of the Spirit is essential to complete the work necessary for the return of The Lord Jesus Christ. There have been very distinct seasons of outpouring since those early days of the church. Just when it seems the church has fallen asleep and is no longer relevant to modern man, suddenly the Holy Spirit comes again. I have a feeling He has saved the best for last. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
6 thoughts on “SIGNS OF THE TIMES”
Amen! Pour out your spirit! Spirit break out!!come! Come lord jesus! Like in acts! ! Come lord!!
Hallelujah, I just sit back read my Bible and just sometimes say I can only imagine.
You said it Pastor Frank, He has saved the best for last…. Pour your Spirit out on us more and more and make us move. Train me shape me mold me to where you want me to be Holy Spirit. It’s all your Glory.
With Love Pastor Frank… Praises to the King of Kings. 🙂
we have been seeing a mighty move of the Holy Spirit coming out achurch was almost dead with only a few praying hard for the Lord to restore and heal the body there, a mighty work started in hearts God did it! The whole body surendered their will and lives, went against their manmade doctorines and went after scripture and what Gods word says not what they were taught and led to beleive fotr many years, we are now knocking out more walls there we dont have room for every one to get in there people are standing in the back, we ran out of room for parking but the Lord did a mirical we now were able to buy the whole block the church sits on and will be tearing out what we need for parking and extending the fellowship, we are seeing soul winners and evangelists being raised up to preach the gospel, this area along with other bodys are going out and share the Lord, all this happened in a southern Babtist church hard hearted stiff necked religious people that repented and said yes to God, the Holy Spirit fell now they are babtist penticostals or babicostalsd that are sold out!
Holy Spirit Fall Fresh, like a Mighty River, let Love Flow, Flow, Flow!!! Please Cleanse our Hearts and Minds and let Pure Joy Spring from Heart-to-Heart and Breast-to-Breast: Now and Forevermore!!! Let us Endure Patience and Nurture of one another. Please instill within us, More Kindness and Generousity toward each other. Let us be Real, Warm and True, expexting Nothing in Return. Please Hear our Prayer, Lord Jesus, Amen.
Woohooooo!
amen to that!