Can ye not discern the signs of the times?

“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?” -Matthew 16:3

Anyone alive today, that has a measure of the Spirit of God, can discern the signs of the time. “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” -Matthew 24:34. This generation has seen the World Trade Center attack, the wars that followed and the patriot act , the tsunamis (Sumatra, Indonesia), hurricanes (such as Katrina in New Orleans), super storms (such as Sandy in the New York / New Jersey area), earthquakes (Haiti and Japan for example), tornadoes. We have seen the economic boom of the 90’s and now we are in the middle of an economic crisis that will lead to a new economic system, where no man will be able to buy or sell. Dear reader, please read the story of Joseph in Egypt and the dream of Pharaoh to see the similarities between then and now (Genesis 41& 47:13-26). This generation that has seen all these signs, (not to forget the crime wave that is sweeping nearly every community, political corruption, social unrests, new strains of common disease including the flu, and even new diseases) shall not pass away, this is the generation that will see Jesus coming in the clouds.

The restraining Spirit of God is even now being withdrawn from the world. Hurricanes, storms, tempests, fire and flood, disasters by sea and land, follow each other in quick succession. Science seeks to explain all these.The signs thickening around us, telling of the near approach of the Son of God, are attributed to any other than the true cause. Men cannot discern the sentinel angels restraining the four winds that they shall not blow until the servants of God are sealed; but when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there shall be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture.—Testimonies for the Church 6:408. – {ChS 52.1}

The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. The agencies of evil are combining their forces, and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.—Testimonies for the Church 9:11. – {ChS 52.2}

The time is at hand when there will be sorrow in the world that no human balm can heal. The Spirit of God is being withdrawn. Disasters by sea and by land follow one another in quick succession. How frequently we hear of earthquakes and tornadoes, of destruction by fire and flood, with great loss of life and property! Apparently these calamities are capricious outbreaks of disorganized, unregulated forces of nature, wholly beyond the control of man; but in them all, God’s purpose may be read. They are among the agencies by which He seeks to arouse men and women to a sense of their danger.—Prophets and Kings, 277. – {ChS 52.3}

It is high time that we that are called by His name, Christians, prepare for what is coming, the world as we know if has changed forever, it is only down hill from here onward, the only Hope, the only way upward is through Christ Jesus. “And take heed to yourselves, lest at anytime your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares, for as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the earth. watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and stand before the son of man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

It is now that we must keep ourselves and our children unspotted from the world. It is now that we must wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. It is now that we must overcome pride, passion, and spiritual slothfulness. It is now that we must awake, and make determined effort for symmetry of character. “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7. We are in a most trying position, waiting, watching for our Lord’s appearing. The world is in darkness. “But ye, brethren,” says Paul, “are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” 1 Thessalonians 5:4. It is ever God’s purpose to bring light out of darkness, joy out of sorrow, and rest out of weariness, for the waiting, longing soul. – {CET 190.3}

What are you doing, brethren, in the great work of preparation? Those who are uniting with the world, are receiving the worldly mold, and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth,—these are receiving the heavenly mold, and preparing for the seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree goes forth, and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity. – {CET 191.1}

Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God,—candidates for heaven. Search the Scriptures for yourselves, that you may understand the fearful solemnity of the present hour. – {CET 191.2}

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