In the first segment of this series exploring the Spiritual Signs of the End Times, we dove into the negative spiritual signs. Now we will dive into the positive spiritual signs.
Positive Signs
Thankfully, the category of Spiritual Signs is replete with many affirmations that God is in control, that His plans cannot be thwarted, and that He will be victorious despite Satan’s malicious efforts.
Worldwide Preaching of The Gospel
Doug Cobb and others have documented that we are on the cusp of reaching every people group in the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The fulfillment of the Great Commission is something generations of Christians have been dedicated toward and aspired to witness. Now, it is within our reach.
Thanks to advancements in technology, worldwide communication, and unprecedented travel capability, evangelists are reaching every corner of the globe. It is estimated that Billy Graham alone preached to over 2 billion people in his lifetime. Even today, when we broadcast our “Christ in Prophecy” television program or “Prophetic Perspectives” or conference livestreams, we know that people around the world will watch.
This is just one example of how modern technology is enabling the preaching of the Gospel in places that were inaccessible just a few years ago.
Resurgence In Davidic Praise and Worship
I love old hymns and have great appreciation for the liturgies and chants that worshipers developed many generations ago. But over time, there was a stifling of the spontaneity and joy in worship demonstrated by King David. If David himself danced down the aisle of many staid houses of worship, some churchgoers would respond like David’s wife Michal, who despised him for his enthusiastic worship (2 Samuel 6:16).
But in recent years there has been a renewed appreciation for a style of worship that captures the delight in the Lord David expressed. This is happening across denominational boundaries and worship styles.
The Lord has always welcomed those who seek to praise Him by worshiping in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). This rejuvenated Davidic style of praise and worship is one manifestation of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that Joel refers to as the “latter rain” prophesied to fall after the Jews had returned to their land (Joel 2:28 and referred to in 2:23).
Timely Understanding of Bible Prophecy
One positive Spiritual Sign thrills the heart of every student of Bible Prophecy. The Word of God indicates that in the End Times, some of the mysteries prophesied long ago will become clear.
The Lord gave the prophet Daniel tremendous insight and foresight, allowing him to interpret dreams, read strange handwriting, and see into the distant future. Daniel was the only man in Scripture given an extended biography who does not demonstrate great failings or character flaws. But in spite of his great discernment he was perplexed by some of the prophecies he was recording.
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel by “a certain Man” dressed in linen and girded with a belt of gold. (John described Jesus’ appearance very similarly in Revelation 1:12-16, so I believe this is a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ.) The Man’s body was like beryl, His face shone like lightning, and His words were “like the sound of a tumult” (Daniel 10:1-6). He described to Daniel the sweep of human history leading to the time of the end, but warned him to “conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time” (Daniel 12:4). One clue about that time of the end is contained within that same verse: “many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”
Daniel, the great interpreter and prophet, was perplexed. He admitted, “As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, ‘My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?'” (Daniel 12:8).
The Man responded, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time. Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand” (Daniel 12:9-10).
Clearly, like the picture in a puzzle that becomes more discernible as pieces fall into place, certain prophecies make more sense in the fullness of time. As the Lord’s return and the world’s ensuing plunge into the Tribulation grows more imminent with each passing day, Bible prophecy is being understood with greater clarity.
Some of that understanding comes simply through hindsight. Committed Christians throughout most of Church history could not imagine how God would restore the Jewish people to their ancient homeland. They believed His promises to that effect but found them inconceivable. Or consider the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11, whose dead bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem for three and a half days while the whole world looks on. For thousands of years the fulfillment of such a prophecy seemed too fantastic to comprehend without some supernatural act. But today we understand how this will happen: a camera will broadcast that image around the world through modern technology.
Why does God practice “just in time” understanding of His prophetic Word? Because He wants us to trust Him, accepting by faith those things that seem too fantastic to believe — like a son for Abraham and Sarah in their old age. In the fullness of time, our faith will be made sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Until then, we can heed James’ word of advice: “be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (5:8, NIV).
In the third and last segment of this series exploring the Spiritual Signs of the End Times, we will reveal the hope Christians possess in living in these dark times.
HALLELUJAH. CQLJ