Imagine flying into a country that you’ve never visited. After renting a car, you drive to the gate. It surprises you when you don’t see any directions posted. Should you turn right or left? Taking a chance, you turn right. Soon, you get to a highway but realize there is no stop sign, no yield sign, and, once again, no direction signs. After aimlessly roaming around, you spot a police officer and ask for help. He tells you their country doesn’t use road signs. I have not personally visited such a country, but I have traveled in a few, almost this bad. And like you, I can only imagine it would not be a fun trip. Thankfully, my host always provided a driver.
In America, we have so many signs they are second nature to us, and we take their presence for granted.
Dictionaries give various definitions for signs. Yet, simply put, they are a means of communication. Road signs convey regulations, warnings, guidance, and information. They carry this out by shapes, colors, pictures, messages, lights, etc. Signs are an essential part of humanity. But even more important, we must not overlook they are crucial in God’s communications to us.
The first mention of a sign comes in Genesis 4 after Cain killed Abel, And the Lord appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him (v4). God designated the rainbow as a sign after the flood. I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth (Gen 9:13). Significant for the Jews was circumcision. And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you (Gen 17:11). The Old Testament mentions signs 89 times and again 91 times in the New Testament.
Biblical signs are divine events that display God’s glory and purpose to people. They confirm His word and show His power. Signs were proof of Jesus’ Messianic claims. Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— (Acts 2:22). John stated the purpose of the seven signs he documented which Jesus’ performed. Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (Jn 20:30, 32).
After the ascension of Jesus and the sending of the Holy Spirit, signs confirmed the truth of the gospel the Apostles were preaching. At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people (Acts 5:12). All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles (15:12). The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles (2 Corinthians 12:12).
The disciples came to Jesus towards the end of His ministry and wanted to know what will be the sign of His return and when the end of this age would take place. “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age” (Mat 24:3)? Jesus answered, but first warned them not to be deceived; Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many (Matt 24:1). Then He reassured them that various signs would occur and alert man as the time was approaching. “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes (Mat 24:6, 7).
These are eventful and imposing signs that affect the entire world. God uses them to get humanity’s attention. However, others will occur that we must not overlook. Jesus condemned the Pharisees and Sadducees for wanting another sign to prove He was the Messiah. He told them they were ignoring the signs already taking place. He replied to them, When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times (Mat 16:2, 3)? The lesson for us is we don’t need a sign to prove Jesus is Savior. And we must not ignore the signs He is giving us today about His second coming.
The flip side of God giving signs and wonders to show His glory and the truth of His word are the false signs and wonders of Satan, Antichrist, and his workers will perform to deceive humans. Jesus warned fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better (Mk 13:22, 23 MSG). I will cover this in my next SW.
Sustaining Word for the Week: When all this starts to happen, up on your feet. Stand tall with your heads high. Help is on the way” (Lk 21:28 MSG)!