And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and trying him asked him to show them a sign from heaven. But he answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the heaven is read. And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the heaven is red and lowering. Ye know how to discern the face of the heaven; but ye cannot discern the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of Jonah. And he left them and departed. Matthew 16:1–4

People concern themselves with the subject of the signs of the times especially in critical periods of the world’s history. Our day is a day of turmoil. We all realize that the Bible has a message for us in such days. Many people do not know where to turn anymore, but the believer looks to the Author of all history and listens intently to his words concerning our times.

Jesus was asked again and again to show a sign testifying to his authority. The only sign testifying to the fact that he was the Messiah was his crucifixion. However, there were many other signs which the people of his day misinterpreted. John the Baptist asked; Art thou the one? Jesus referred him to various signs. Can’t he deduce from these signs that Jesus is the Christ? He will have to Or remain in ignorance because Jesus will tell him no more than this. Jesus rebukes the leaders because they have not understood the signs which were given them. Nature speaks in signs. These are read by men and the forecast is accurate. If the sky is red in the evening one expects a beautiful day to follow; if the sky is red in the morning, rain may be expected. Jesus could also have cited many other signs found in nature, but this one is sufficient. Now, isn’t it strange that men can read these signs but are not able to read the signs God has given in history to warn and inform man?

God had given various signs during the Old Testament times to inform the people concerning the coming of Messiah. Had they been able to read these signs accurately they would virtually have known the exact time of Christ’s coming. He had foretold the place of his birth. There were many references to the time of his coming. If they had understood the signs of their times they would have greeted the Christ as their promised Messiah. Instead, they didn’t recognize him at all. They had their own notions about him. When Christ comes no one will know whence he is (John 7:27). Where did they get this idea? Not from the Bible! The signs of the times are very important.

When we now speak of the signs of the times we mean the signs which will give us light regarding the coming again of the Son of Man and the things which must precede that coming. We must know what it is on God’s clock! He has taught us how to tell time. We must use this ability because he will hold us responsible. In many other ways the signs of the times are clear—as in nature. In other respects they are difficult to interpret. As history develops many of these signs become clearer. Let us always remember: God does not speak to his people in riddles, but he gives them revelation.

Much is happening in our present world. We make more history in a decade than was formerly made in centuries. News media speak of terrible things that are happening and spread fear about things which will happen. If we had believed in Christ only when all was peaceful we might now be shaken if the Bible had not spoken of these days. But our present day does not come as the unexpected; he told us about it before it happened in order that we might not fear. We should live our faith. We should read our daily newspapers in light of Scripture. But, to be able to do that, we should read accurately the signs of the times.

         

           

Questions

1. How could the people of the Old Testament virtually know the exact time of the Savior’s first coming? Which passages of the Old Testament referred to this time? Can we know the exact time of his second coming?

2. Do you believe that we would have been able to find all the passages referring to Christ if we had lived prior to his first coming? Or would we have wondered as the Ethiopian eunuch? (Acts 8:34)

3. Will an accurate reading of the signs of the times help us “to be ready” when Christ returns?