As he ate lunch, the little boy counted the calls the cuckoo bird was making as he listened to the clock at 12 noon. Having made a mistake, he counted to 13 and said with surprise, “Mom! It is later than it has ever been before!” Though his counting was wrong, his statement was right. It is later than it has ever been and the promised return of Jesus Christ is closer than ever.

Jesus taught that we should be able to interpret the signs of the times. He reprimanded the hard-hearted religious leaders for not discerning the times, saying, “When evening comes, you say it will be fair weather for the sky is red and, in the morning, it will be stormy for the sky is red and overcast. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.”

The proud leaders were not paying attention. We are. Signs of the times are everywhere. The world is troubled and things are getting worse, just as Jesus said they would. God’s authority is being ridiculed. Evil is called good and good is called evil.

Much like the days of Noah when man had no thought for God, hearts are hardening. Jesus is coming again! We’ve read the last chapter of the Bible and God wins! We must be ready and even encourage others to know the love and salvation of God through His Son Jesus Christ. “And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming” 1 Jn. 2:38. Maranatha! Meaning, “O Lord, come!”

Greg Brownell

United Brethren Church, Dayton