The parable of the fig tree

I know, I've been rather scarce as of late...no really good excuse for that, and I will try to do better. That said, I have something for you to ruminate on.

 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. Mt 24:32

I have a bit of a confession to make. When something is newsworthy, I watch as much live stuff as I can. That way, when the pundits and MSM come on and spin it their way, I know what I watched and heard. I know the truth without it being dissected and mutilated, and fed to the public like so much pablum, and I can that way argue with the best of them...mostly. 

When COVID-19 hit China, I watched the news...very carefully. When it landed in Italy, it piqued my interest, when it hit Seattle, COVID had my full attention. Then here comes an earthquake.

 In the last 30 days, there have been 29 instances of a quake 5.5 or higher throughout the world. March 1st, New Zealand had a 5.5,and another one on the 14th, this time 5.9 magnitude.  Friday March 6, The Southwest Indian Ridge (India) had a 5.9. Closer to home, Yuma, Az on the same day had moderate shaking. March 15, San Antonio, Tx had moderate shaking, as did Iowa on the 17th, on the 18th, the Salt Lake valley had an earthquake of 5.7, Fernley, NV, and Boston, MA felt shaking on the 22nd, and just today, El Paso, Tx had a 4.9 event. 

Just since the 10th of March, the world has seen three outbreaks of Ebola in the Congo, MERS in Qatar, Dengue Fever in the French Territories of the Americas, and of course, COVID-19.

The famines? Somalia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Syria, Central African Republic, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Yemen...all were included in the top ten most famine ravaged areas in the world.

There has been the never-ending war in Afghanistan, rumors of war with North Korea, Iran, and Iraq, that list just goes on and on and on...

 So, what is my point? Check this out.

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. Mt 24:6-8

This is what Jesus told His Apostles when they asked when the end would come. Jesus had told them that there will be a time when the world would go screwy (my words, not His), and what was considered wrong would now be considered acceptable, all the way to being "right."
The Bible says that the love of money would leave mankind's hearts cold, they would turn from the natural use of man and woman, and seek their own. Son would rise up against Fathers, and Daughters would rise up against their Mothers. 
Does any of this sound even remotely familiar?

10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. Mt 24:10-12

So many of these things have happened, just in the last 50 years. The book of Daniel says that man will go to and fro on the earth, knowledge would be increased in the Last Days. We have gone from pedestrian, to equestrian, to the wheel, to wagons, to cars, to planes to space ships and shuttles, all designed to get mankind from one destination to another. In the last 100 years, in the United States alone, we have gone from a handful of colleges and universities, to literally thousands of them, 5300 to be exact...everything from beauty school to Harvard and MIT. 

Okay, why am I telling you all this? Because, over 2000 years ago, one Man talked about all of this, and told His Disciples to, "Follow Me, and I will make you Fishers of Men." He gave the great Commission to those who follow Him, to go out and make disciples in all the earth. Jesus told us what was going to happen, what was going to usher in the End Times, before any of us were even thought of. Why? So you would know, and discern the times, and make the appropriate adjustments. So that we wouldn't be deceived by the Prince of the Power of the Air...so when the false trinity of the False Prophet, the Beast, and the Anti-Christ appear that our radar would go off. But, and this is a big but, to have that radar, so to speak, you have to have Salvation. And to have salvation, you have to know who Jesus Christ is...not the book knowledge, or heresay, but the actual relationship, the heart knowledge of who He is. The acceptance of a gift so simple it defies logic. Acknowledge that He came as a baby, born of a virgin; lived a sinless life, was crucified and buried, and PRAISE GOD, He arose again...alive, actual flesh and bone, and then ascended to Heaven where He awaits God's command to return. No hoops. No flashy stuff. No works. Just acceptance, and God will honor that acceptance, and the works from there will be as natural as breathing. 

Now I know, a lot of you are wondering about the current President. Trust me, he's raised my eyebrow more than once, but something about that is kind of prophetic as well. Back in the day, before David was even a thing, the Nation of Israel wanted to be like everyone else. Basically, they wanted to do what the cool nations were doing, crowning a King to rule over them. Nevermind that up until that point they were mostly contented with God being their ruler, but they whined. Oh boy! Did they whine. So, God gave them their request, and Saul was crowned King of Israel. He wasn't exactly the best King in the world, but God gave them what they wanted, warts and all. 
Flash forward to 2016.
The people of the United States are sick and tired of the politicians...they want someone who is not part of the Good Ol' Boys Club, so, they nominate Trump. The naysayers pooh-poohed the nomination...until he gained ground. An arrogant man to say the least, definitely full of himself, and he had his sights set on the Oval Office. I believe no one was more surprised than he was when the final determination was given. 
God gave us what we wanted...and now, we need to make a decision. We need to seek out what He wants, and WHO He wants in that office next year. It could very well be Trump, who knows? 

To wrap this all up in a tidy bow, I give you the remainder of the passage I shared at the beginning about the fig tree:

33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 

 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Mt 24: 33-36, 42-44

Truly I'm not saying that Jesus is coming tomorrow, or the next day, month, year or even decade. I'm saying, be watchful. Be a watcher on the wall. Know the signs by studying your Bible, and tell others about Jesus, and His imminent coming, tell them about salvation, and your testimony. Then, according to the signs, "when you see all these things, know that is is near - at the doors!"

Stay in if you're ordered to, wash your hands, and be safe.
God bless.