Discerning the Signs of the Times

Matthew 16:1-4 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

In this passage Jesus is rebuking these Jewish religious leaders of that day for being able to tell the weather by signs they see in the sky, yet failing to have any understanding of the day in which they lived. They had seen signs, miracles and healings, Jesus had done. If they had not seen them, at least they had heard about them. Here they are asking Jesus to perform yet one more. These signs were not being done just for entertainment or some show. These miracles/healings/signs were for the purpose of demonstrating the kingdom of God, God’s ruler ship over all.

These religious rulers were missing the sign that was right in front of them….their promised Messiah. They were looking for his earthly kingdom to be established, which will be established in its fullness when Jesus comes the second time. The Old Testament testified of the Messiah’s first coming also, as the suffering servant. On the road to Emmaus Jesus expounded these scriptures to His disciples (Luke 24:25-27 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.) These religious rulers completely missed it.

In our day it is important that we be aware of the signs of the times in which we live. While here on the earth Jesus told His disciples about many of the signs of His imminent return.
I personally want to be aware of the time in which I am living and be ready and waiting for Him at the time of His return.

Oh Lord, help us to have an understanding of the times and prepare ourselves accordingly.