Do you remember playing the ‘connect the dots’ game as a kid? These puzzles still help children in learning to count or remember their ABCs in order. They consist of dots on a page with each dot numbered or are labeled with an alphabet letter. Children draw a line from dot to dot in sequence—1 to 2 to 3, or a to b to c, etc. Until the dots are connected, it looks like a random page of sprinkled specks. Connecting them produces a picture. Versions of the puzzle for teens and grown-ups can be quite complex and produces a beautiful image.
In today’s world, with so many fulfilling prophecies related to Christ’s second coming it can look like a page covered with innumerable dots. Yet, as we connect them, a wonderful picture begins emerging of Christ’s rapidly approaching return. Signs, signs, and more signs are everywhere and every day. One out of every twenty-five verses in the New Testament refers to Christ’s second coming. If the Holy Spirit inspired the writers to include that number of references, it must be important. No less than ten times the New Testament tells us that we should watch for the coming of the Lord. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming (Mat 24:42). But the day of the Lord will come like a thief (2 Pet 3:10). For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage (Mat 24: 37, 38). In other words, the people of Noah’s day were going about their daily business and paid no attention to his warning.
I cringe when I hear people say, “I’m not pre-tribulation or post-tribulation. I’m pan-tribulation—it is all going to pan out. Why should I care?” Being pre or post in doctrine isn’t the issue, but being indifferent, uncaring, and going about daily affairs never connecting the dots puts one at grave risk. We cannot set dates for when He will return or for that fact, even the age or time-period. Jesus told His disciples, It is not for you to know times or epochs (Acts 1:7). Neither do we ignore what is taking place. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief (1 Thess 5:4). Concluding His discourse on what will be the sign of His coming, Jesus said when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door (Mat 24:33).
One prominent sign of Christ’s return relates to natural disasters. In general, nature disasters are the ongoing results from the curse, which God pronounced on the earth after the sin of Adam and Eve. Yet, throughout history, God has utilized natural disasters to summons His people to repent and return to Him. Amos 1:6-11, provides an vivid example: “I kept the rain from falling when you needed it the most, ruining all your crops. v9
“I struck your farms and vineyards with blight and mildew. Locusts devoured all your fig and olive trees. But still you wouldn’t return to me,” says the Lord. v10 “I sent plagues against you like the plagues I sent against Egypt long ago. The stench of death filled the air! But still you wouldn’t return to me,” says the Lord. v11 “I destroyed some of your cities, as I destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Those of you who survived were like half-burned sticks snatched from a fire. But still you wouldn’t return to me,” says Lord.
Jesus warned that natural disasters would announce His approaching return. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven (Luk 21:11). The word translated earthquake means a commotion of the air or the ground, or a tempest of water. For us it refers to a hurricane, a tornado, a tsunami, a volcano, or sinkholes. The earth has experienced all these in ever-increasing occurrences in the past five years. This doesn’t even address the man-made disasters like the nuclear at Chernobyl, the chemical at Bhopal, wars, and drugs. The majority of people dismiss these disasters as just Mother Nature, El Niño or La Niña, global warming, greenhouse gas, or the carbon footprint.
Peter says people will mock Christians who believe in the promise of His coming. He also tells us how we live during this time—to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God. . . be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless. . . grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:11-18). The Lord spoke to Solomon, If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chr 7:13, 14)
Sustaining Word for the Week: It is not Mother Nature. It is not coincidence. Connect the dots; God is trying to get our attention because Jesus is coming back soon, and the time to get right with the Lord is running out.