UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES AND SEASONS WE LIVE IN
(UNDERSTANDING SERIES 2020 [9])
Human mind intelligent/developed to
Predict/forecast the weather….
BUT cannot interpret the signs of the times and seasons we are living in
Jesus answered, “At sunset [In the evening] you say we will have good weather, because the sky is red. And in the morning, you say that it will be a rainy day [stormy; bad weather], because the sky is red and dark [threatening; overcast]. You see these signs in [the appearance of] the sky and know what they mean [how to interpret them]. In the same way [or However; On the other hand], you see the things that I am doing now, but you don’t know their meaning [cannot interpret the signs of the times]. Mathew 16:2
Of the tribe of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, two hundred chiefs; and all their relatives were at their command; 1 Chronicles 12:32 Amplified Bible (AMP)
But there is a spirit in man, And the breath/inspiration of the Almighty gives him understanding. Job 32:8 New King James Version (NKJV)
Jesus spoke ahead of these times, of the earthquakes, famines…pestilences
PESTILENCE: ‘Fatal epidemic disease, plague’
Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers’ places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. Luke 21:10-11
Jesus spoke ahead of these times, refers to this generation as evil, wicked and adulterous …. but gives a clue of how we can discern these times.
“Evil and sinful people [An evil/wicked and adulterous generation] ·ask for [seek; demand] a miracle as a sign, but they will not be given any sign, except the sign of Jonah [see 12:40; John. 1:17].” Then Jesus left them and went away.
SO, what happened JONAH?
- Jonah heard the word of God, warning people of the great city of Nineveh
- He refused to obey and follow God’s instructions
- Jonah chose to flee from God
- Went down to Joppa (beautiful), got into a ship going to Tarshish (breaking)…. he paid for it!
- God sent a great wind/huge storm…. violent tempest
SO, what happened JONAH?
- God sent a great wind/huge storm…. violent tempest
- The ship Jonah took was about to break…. till he confessed his wrongdoing of disobedience
- He was thrown out of the ship…and calm returned… and even the people in the ship repented after Jonah was thrown out
- Jonah was swallowed by a big fish prepared by God…. for 3 days and 3 nights
- Jonah prayed/cried out to God
SO, what happened JONAH?
- Jonah was swallowed by a big fish prepared by God…. for 3 days and 3 nights
- Jonah prayed/cried out to God right from inside the belly of the fish
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. Jonah 2:1-2
SO, what happened JONAH?
Jonah prayed/cried out to God right from inside the belly of the fish
When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!”
And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. Jonah 2:1-2
SO, what happened JONAH?
- God gave Jonah a second chance….
- God sent Jonah
- Jonah went and warned the people
- The people repented
- God relented
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. (Jonah :1-2)
SO, what is saying to You this season?
- God is giving You a second chance….
- God is sending You this Word today….
- You Repent and God will Relent
READ 2 Peter 3:1-9
Bible References: Mathew 16:2; 1 Chronicles 12:32; Luke 21:10-11; Job 32:8; Jonah 2:1-2 ; 2 Peter 3:1-9 – King James Version (KJV), Amplified Bible (AMP) and New King James Version (NKJV).