End-times Signs!

For Thursday, February 22, 2024:

Mark 13:8a NLT, Jesus speaking: “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines.”

Jesus gave his disciples more signs of the end times. One sign is seemingly never-ending wars. I’ll only highlight a couple.

Russia’s effort to overtake Ukraine is in year three now, and I’m sure that – to those people – it seems like it will never end. The inability to ship grain from Ukraine to Africa has resulted in a severe famine in Africa.

Our other worldly war is in Gaza. On Oct. 7^th of last year, a Hamas-led Palestinian group invaded Israel killing 1,139 Israelites, and taking 253 captive to Gaza. Surely Hamas anticipated Israel’s retaliation which has been devastating to Gaza’s greater population.

In college we learned that our entire continent is slowly moving west, accounting for some of California’s earthquakes. Our teacher predicted the coast would crumble and fold under the moving continent. He joked that someday we’d be able to buy ocean-front property in Utah! On the nightly news last night, I saw foot-deep cracks in the 101 and watched two million-dollar houses fall into the ocean.

I heard a preacher say that we are in the end times of the end times! There’s no better time to cement our personal relationship with Jesus. Each day we’re one day closer to heaven!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

End Times Signs!

For Sunday, October 29, 2023:

Matthew 24:6-7 NLT: “You will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.”

The disciples are asking end times questions. When do we get to join you in heaven? Give us some signs so that we know when the end is coming!

Jesus began by telling the disciples to beware of false prophets. If someone is trying to convince the world that they are the Messiah, they’re not. When Jesus returns, it will be a spectacular event and the whole world will know. No one will need convincing!

Jesus said there will be wars and rumors of wars. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the largest incursion. Watch out! It’s kind of like WWIII, with the US and NATO nations helping Ukraine, and China and North Korea arming the Russian army. It’s being fought on Ukraine’s soil!

Of special interest is Hamas’ attack on Israel, the country known as the Holy Land. Gaza, home of Hamas, is a tiny strip of land on the Mediterranean Sea. But Israel is also trying to keep peace in the West Bank, and defend against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria.

Significant earthquakes struck Israel’s neighbors, Turkey and Afghanistan. There’s a great famine in Africa, unable to receive grain shipments from Ukraine.

These are all signs that the end times scenario is starting to play out. We will never know the exact day and hour of God’s victory in the world, but we have been given signs, warnings for us to get our houses in order.

Today is the best day to commit or re-commit our lives to following Jesus. Today, the end is one day closer!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

End Times?

For Sunday, October 15, 2023:

Matthew 24:7 NLT: Words of Jesus: “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.”

Jesus was teaching his disciples about the future, about end times. Let’s take a look. First we have the wars. Russia trying to overtake Ukraine is the war on our nightly news. And now Hamas attacking Israel is already a bloody conflict. Because grain exports from Ukraine have been curtailed, famine is worse than ever in Africa. And a series of earthquakes in Afghanistan, three in the last week, have killed thousands.

Are these signs of the end times? Only God knows, but we’re told to keep our eyes open and to watch for the signs. Be vigilant about avoiding false prophets. Jesus says that wars and threats of wars will be the norm until he returns. Some people pray for peace, and that’s not bad, but I pray, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!”

As each day passes, we are one day closer to Jesus’ return!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship