People today are used to watching for signs. We go to a store and look at the sign that gives their business hours and for the sign that says if they are open or closed. When we take a road trip, we look for signs telling us how many miles to our destination and if the road we are looking for is getting close. Are you hungry or tired? Watch for the road signs that tell you a motel is ahead or a restaurant. I’m sure you can think of many more signs you look for in your daily life.
Scripture gives us signs of prophetic events, and we need to be aware of them and stay vigilant. Don’t count on religious leaders to help guide you in looking for signs. The Scribes and Pharisees were well-versed in Old Testament Scripture, but missed their Messiah’s appearing. Oh, they knew that the Messiah would come one day, but didn’t believe it would be in their lifetime.
When we study the account of Jesus’ birth, it’s a little surprising that these religious scholars weren’t there at the manger praising God. Bethlehem isn’t far from Jerusalem, which is the Holy City where the Jewish Temple stood. Still, they missed the signs. Shepherds were invited by angels to go to the manger and find the newborn King. The sign would be that they would find Him wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
“And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12).
They left their flocks and went looking for the sign to find Jesus. Sometime later, a group of wise men came from the East because they saw His star and followed it.
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2:1-2).
When they stopped in Jerusalem to inquire where the King of the Jews had been born, the Pharisees didn’t know about Jesus but did some quick research and found a verse in Micah that said He would be born in Bethlehem.
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).
Why hadn’t they been watching for the signs? God gave many, many prophecies of Jesus’ birth, life, and even the crucifixion, but the religious leaders were blind to His coming. We also are given signs of His second coming. Are you looking for the signs? It’s getting close, which means the Rapture is getting even closer.
The Old Testament prophets looked forward to the coming of the Messiah, and today we can look at their writings and know that Jesus fulfilled what God foretold. The Jewish people had looked for their Messiah for centuries. Job looked forward to the coming Messiah.
“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me” (Job 19:25-27).
Job didn’t have signs to look for, but had faith. King David also had faith. Whatever situation he faced, he turned to God. David wrote Psalms of praise, supplication, and ones that were prophetic. Psalm 22 is a clear picture of the crucifixion. Isaiah was given many prophecies concerning His birth.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
John the Baptist saw a sign from God that Jesus was the Messiah “And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God” (John 1:32-34).
John saw the sign and knew that Jesus was the Messiah. What did the Pharisees do? They closed their eyes, plugged their ears, and hardened their hearts. They did everything in their power to silence Jesus, and ultimately, they had Him crucified.
During His ministry on Earth, Jesus healed many people, fed crowds with a few fish and a loaf of bread, forgave sins, and cast out demons. Did any of these miracles convince the Scribes and Pharisees that He was the Messiah? Mostly, no. Nicodemus was an exception. He saw the miracles and decided to go talk to Jesus.
“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him” (John 3:1-2).
Nicodemus saw signs and wanted answers. Jesus talked to people so they could understand on whatever level of knowledge they had.
When a woman was brought to Him by the Pharisees who wanted her stoned for adultery, Jesus first confronted her accusers, who should have known who Jesus was; then, when they left, Jesus turned to the woman. Like that woman, we are all condemned to death because of sin.
Satan accuses us before the Lord. But we have the same Advocate as that condemned woman. Jesus meets you where you are. He told the woman to “Go and sin no more,” but Nicodemus was a Pharisee who should have known Scripture, so Jesus spoke to him about Scripture. That condemned woman and Nicodemus both needed to have faith. Both were still looking forward to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, but when it happened, they didn’t need any other sign.
Ultimately, the Pharisees confronted Jesus and asked for a sign. What more of a sign could they want? He fulfilled prophecy, He healed lepers, He cast out demons, He walked on water, and more.
“But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:39-40).
Does that sign mean anything to you? Unfortunately, many pastors won’t teach from the Old Testament. By neglecting the Old Testament, it’s easy to miss many things found in the New Testament. That’s why line upon line, verse upon verse teaching is important, beginning in Genesis and going through Revelation.
Jonah was chosen by God to go to the very evil city of Ninevah and warn them to repent and turn from their evil ways, or else God would destroy them. Jonah clearly heard God’s directions, but had no desire to do anything to save the people of Nineveh. So, he got on a boat headed away from Nineveh. It’s never wise to ignore God’s directions.
“But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken” (Jonah 1:4).
The sailors were terrified and cried to their useless pagan gods, which did no good. Jonah hid below deck and fell asleep. They cast lots in order to find out who was to blame for the storm, and the lot fell on Jonah. Jonah knew God was unhappy with him, and he told the sailors to throw him into the sea. When they did, the sea became calm.
“Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” (Jonah 1:17).
Jonah knew he had done wrong, and cried out to the LORD. “And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land” (Jonah 2:10).
Jonah did go to Ninevah, and they did repent, but Jonah wasn’t happy about it. Jesus gave this as the sign the Pharisees would see. Did they recognize Jesus as the Messiah? No, they missed the sign.
Today, we should have no problem recognizing that Jesus is the Messiah…our Redeemer and Lord. Right now, it isn’t too late to repent and find salvation through Him. You must make the choice now while living on this side of Heaven.
Jesus told of a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. The rich man was too concerned with his money and status to care about the plight of Lazarus. They both died, and the rich man went to a place of torments while Lazarus went to the place of comfort known as Abraham’s Bosom. The rich man will be tormented forever in flames. Don’t think that if you die without accepting Jesus that you’ll just be snuffed out. Everybody lives forever, but only through Jesus will you live with Him in Heaven.
The rich man felt the flames and was thirsty and called to Abraham to send Lazarus with water for him. The answer was no. Then he became concerned that his family would suffer his same eternity, and wanted Abraham to send Lazarus to warn them.
“Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he [the rich man] said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he [Abraham] said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:29-31).
We also have Moses and the Prophets, which we call the Old Testament. We also have the New Testament. If you’re looking for signs that Jesus is the Messiah, go to Scripture. Jesus rose from the dead, and you need to repent and have faith in His death, burial, and resurrection. You don’t want to join the rich man in torments, and Jesus is the only way to avoid that.
The Holy Spirit will meet you where you are. You may be like the woman taken in adultery, and your sins may be obvious. Jesus didn’t go into a long theological discussion with her, but simply told her to stop sinning. With Nicodemus, He went into more detail. Nicodemus should have seen the signs because he studied Scripture.
All sin can be forgiven, but nobody can be saved without Jesus. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
There is no sin so big that it cannot be forgiven, and even the most “holier than thou” pew sitters need that same forgiveness through Jesus. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Everyone must repent. Nicodemus, the woman taken in adultery, the rich man, and Lazarus all had sin, and they all had Moses and the prophets to teach them God’s ways. So do we. We also have Jesus, who rose from the dead, and the New Testament to guide us. Don’t take a detour while you’re looking for the way to Heaven. Jesus is the only way. Don’t miss the signs.
Time is getting short, and you might be looking for signs of Jesus’ return. Don’t be blind like the Scribes and Pharisees. Read Matthew 24 and 25, and you’ll be astonished by how many signs are happening. Famine, pestilence, earthquakes, war. These things are happening today, but as they are happening more frequently with greater impact, we can be sure Jesus will call His ekklesia (the church) Home soon.
Many question the fact of the Rapture. These people are influenced more by human interpretation than by God’s word. Whether you’re looking for the Rapture or expecting to face the Great Tribulation, you must have faith in Jesus. Remember, God won’t force you to place your faith in Him, but the choice must be made while living on this side of eternity.
The signs are all in place, but the exact day is still a mystery. Don’t wait to repent, hoping to see another sign. Jesus gave His life so you can spend eternity with Him. You have a choice, so choose wisely.
Life in Paradise or life in Torments? Only Jesus will lead you to Paradise. Study Scripture and you’ll see signs that prophecy is being fulfilled quickly and the Rapture could happen at any moment. Don’t delay. Follow Jesus now.
God bless you all,
Nathele Graham
Recommended prophecy sites:
All original Scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).