For the Christian, the start of a new year invites many questions. But perhaps the most universal question is the one that considers, is this the year that the Lord Jesus will return? Of course, the most egregious, reckless form of prophetic pandering is setting dates for specific end-time events to occur. Every so often someone comes along and sets a date for the return of Christ. They do this despite Jesus saying during His time on earth that even He didn’t know the time of His second coming.
However, are there signs? I believe COVID is part of the stage setting for the end times. In that sense, it’s a sign that points beyond itself to future events. For example, COVID is revealing the interconnectedness of the modern world as well as accelerating it. Also, a cashless culture and digital society portends the way of our future world. Additionally, a country that does not possess the ability or desire to distinguish the truth is always a bad sign.
The road to the Apocalypse is lined with signs. Some of them are frightening and foreboding, such as a pandemic plague. It’s important for us to keep our eyes on the signs, even when we would rather look away. Yet, at the same time, we cannot allow ourselves to get enamored with the signs. Signs are important, but they aren’t all-important. Their only value is to point to something beyond themselves. Signs show us the way and lead us from where we are to where we want to be. And the ultimate place we want to be is with Jesus in His kingdom.
The signs are all pointing in the same direction: the coming of Jesus and a world recaptured by heaven. Take comfort — the best is yet to come.
Serving Him with you, until He comes for us.
Fred | 
