Someday Soon?

For Thursday, October 23, 2025:

Luke 21:25 NLT, Jesus speaking: “There will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides.”

As we near the end times, our earth will not stay the same. The Paris Climate Accord of 2015 warns of average temperatures increases over 1.5ºC, with 2ºC being the tipping point. Our world briefly passed the 1.5ºC increase last year, and averaged +1.38ºC. Tourists are flocking to Alaska to see the last of their glaciers, many of which have already fallen into the sea. Consequently, the ocean is rising. Several Pacific island-countries are closing up shop, the residents seeking refuge elsewhere. In the US, New Orleans would be totally underwater if not for dams and levees. Today, flooding is threatened in Laredo, McAllen and Corpus Christi, TX. And Galveston, an island, is always at risk. Let me stress that the sun didn’t get warmer. It is our planet that changed, allowing it to absorb and retain more of the sun’s heat.

Discovered in 2025, Asteroid PN7 is known as Earth’s second moon. Kinda. It follows our path around the sun, but doesn’t orbit the earth itself. To astronomers, it’s new!

Scientists keep inventing better telescopes, allowing mankind to see a far larger universe than we ever thought possible. Again, to astronomers, it’s all new!

Jesus said that there will be wars and rumors of wars until he returns. To learn about today’s wars, check any news feed. The US President helped negotiate a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Less than a week later, it’s already been violated by both sides. Our president has met with Russia’s officials about ending the fighting in Ukraine. Yet the conflict continues, with more killing than ever. The #3 offender may be Syria, with the government defending itself against those who want to be the government! A civil war. There seems to be no end to fighting nowadays.

Are these signs of the end of life as we know it? I can’t say for sure. Jesus said that only the Father knows the exact day and hour he will return. But these are prophesied signs, reminding us that Jesus will be coming again, and with his return comes accountability. Jesus taught that if we knew when the thief was coming, we’d have locked the door! His words are always true, so he IS coming! We just can’t say exactly when! So it’s time to get ready. Time to repent and return!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Jesus said...

For Friday, November 10, 2023:

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

Jesus said that he and the Father are one, so if he’s describing the end times, I’d listen up! Jesus said that wars and fighting would be one sign of the end times. For the last year or so, North Korea and China have been funneling munitions through Russia from the east, while the US and NATO countries are bolstering Ukraine from the west. This worldwide battle is being played out on Ukrainian soil, so it appears smaller and less significant than it really is!

About a month ago, in the dark of night, Hamas attacked Israel killing 1,400 Israelites and taking 241 hostages. This Holy War has stolen headlines from the Ukrainian conflict. The Bible predicted a mass return of Jews to Israel. Almost 10 million have accepted that invitation. That has happened in our lifetimes, since the country didn’t exist until after WWII. The Bible says to expect a worldwide persecution of Israel. Surrounded by Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah, it would seem that Israel doesn’t have a fighting chance. God will intervene!

Knowledge of the end times is a gift from God. He wants his loyal followers to know the truth, to not be taken off guard by activities in this world. God wants believers to recognize the signs, and be ready to join Jesus in heaven! He’s already preparing your place!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Peace!

January 16, 2023 Monday Message:

Matthew 5:9 NLT, Jesus speaking: “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”

This scripture is not describing those who live in peace, or who know the peace that passes all understanding. These peacemakers are those who work for peace between people, countries and religions. They are anti-unjustified war. They are actively participating, striving for peace, so mankind can live without fear.

My father fought in WWII. By the time the US entered the fray, Hitler had overtaken most of Europe, so we were a little late to the party. The peacemakers fought long and hard to stop Hitler’s unbridled aggression.

As I became an adult, the US was engaged in the Vietnam conflict. The goal was to derail the communist offensive, but many in the US didn’t understand why we were fighting this war. John Lennon sang, “Give peace a chance.” Seems like that’s what Jesus wanted too.

My naïveté surfaced when Putin invaded Ukraine. Somehow I thought that all the land in the world had been divided up, and it would stay that way. Perhaps we wouldn’t have to fight over such things any more. This current war may seem more cruel and overly destructive because we can follow it daily on our TV’s. Russia is actually fighting the US and western values, but on Ukraine’s soil.

Perpetrators of war are evil, working for Satan. The evil was obvious as targets became hospitals, schools and residential apartments. If this death and destruction continues, Putin will overtake a country with nothing left standing!

Children of God are those who have received Jesus as their Savior and apparently peacemakers!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Peace!

For Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Psalm 141:5c NLT: “I pray constantly against the wicked and their deeds.”

In context, David was trying to stay one step ahead of those trying to kill him, a lot of mean people with sharp pointed spears. God answered David’s prayers, and kept him safe. God had anointed David to be Israel’s leader. The opposition thought they could stand against David, but they could not stand against God. David survived and became king just as God intended, and the history is well-documented in our Bibles.

Today we witness a war against Ukraine. Rockets and gunfire have killed hundreds, and hundred of thousands have been forced to flee their homeland. Following David’s example, we can and should pray against the wicked and their deeds. We should pray for persecuted people everywhere. We should pray that God would give them hope. World peace should be more than a buzz-word. It should be a sincere prayer on all our lips.

We’ll know the peace that passes all understanding when Jesus returns!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406