I often ask myself, “Why is it that so many people cannot realize that God is directly
involved in the affairs of man?” This question has turned out to be a real “head-scratcher.” Of course the obvious answer immediately comes to mind, and that is they do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
However, that presents another problem. It is understandable that those who don’t know God will not recognize this truth, but why are so many true Christians skeptical about this issue? The only answer I can come up with for that is that they are spiritually weak, which could be partially explained by being “Biblically” ignorant but strongly influenced by worldly opinions.
Now if we could look up toward the heavens and actually see God point his finger in one direction and a hurricane occurs, or point it toward another direction and an earthquake jolts us, or yet another direction and fires break out, we would all probably believe that God is involved in earth’s activities. Of course there would still be doubters even among those who see with their very eyes.
Let me say up front that I believe God causes some circumstances and that He allows and is in control of all circumstances. He is always in charge, and nothing can happen or not happen without His permission. He is in control, and that is a most comforting thought. The Apostle Paul said,
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Paul is referring to Satan and all of his angelic followers. We cannot see them. We cannot see the battle that is going on all around us, but they are there no less and the battle rages all around us.
If any true Christian would just take the time and go back to May 14, 1948 to the present and compare what God has said in His Word to what has happened over this period of time, there can only be one conclusion. God is active in the affairs of man. God is conducting the orchestra. God has set the stage, and is in complete charge of the production. Everything is coming together exactly as He has told us it would. So what is the problem?
If we go to the Old Testament and compare the prophecies of the Messiah coming to earth as a Lamb, there again, we can come to only one conclusion. Jesus Christ is God the Son and He is the Messiah that fulfilled every prophecy of His first advent. Likewise, He is fulfilling and will complete every prophecy of His second advent, to the letter I might add.
We, you and I, see tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, perfect storms, flooding, drought, corruption, immorality, lukewarm religiosity, wars and rumors of wars, hate, lying, theft, murders, perversion, and the list goes on and on. These activities, and more, are increasing exponentially and leading up to a culmination of Daniel’s seventieth week, commonly known as the seven years of Tribulation on earth after the Church is removed via the Rapture.
But few believe it. Why? They cannot see with their eyes what is going on behind the scenes. Those with true faith don’t have to see with their naked eyes, because they know God does not lie. There is no doubt that there is a spiritual battle going on.
Actually, if you want to get technical about it, we can see the signs. They are all around us. Therefore, we can see, unless we think God is a liar.
When I enter our house and flip the light switch upwards, the lights come on. When I look around me, I see the light. I don’t have to prove that there is a light switch that I must flip up to cause this to happen. I don’t have to prove that there is power coming to the light switch. I don’t have to prove that my wife and I paid the electric bill. I know this is all true, because the lights came on.
Folks, the lights are on. They’re shining all around us on a daily basis, and they are getting brighter. (By the way, I’m referring to the signs that God has provided us.) We don’t have to see what is going on behind the scenes, because the lights (signs) are on. Jesus said,
“54 And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. 55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. 56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?” (Luke 12:54-56)
“29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. [emphasis mine] 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:29-36)
Keeping in mind that Christ will remove His Church first, we are already seeing much come to pass that is for a period that follows the Rapture, the Tribulation. Read again, the last verse in Luke 21:29-36. We need to “watch” and “pray always that we may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
As bad as everything is getting now, this is a picnic compared to the seven years that will follow the removal of the Church. I will be standing behind the scenes with the Son of man, Jesus. Will you stand there with me?
Grant Phillips
Pre-Rapture Commentary http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
