Signs
October 22-23
The Entry to our home is "festive fall" right now. Year round our yard is filled with scripture signs, which are a comforting reminder to me to the faithfulness of God. The Old Testament is full of examples of God using signs...and yes, they go beyond the concept of billboards or text messages.
On Biblegateway, the NIV translation lists 189 verses related to signs.
Genesis begins with many signs related to creation.
There was a star in the sky, which was a sign to the wisemen where to find the baby Jesus.
There was a rainbow in the clouds, a sign of the covenant between God and earth.
Exodus is action packed with signs pointing to the power of God. Moses heard God in specific ways.
"You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of this country. But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgement I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites." Exodus 7:2-4
Daniel is one of my favorite heroes of our faith.
Listen to his words and how he uses signs to tell of how personal God is.
"It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me." Daniel 4:2
The theme of Luke 21 is Signs of the End Times. It's a good read. Here is a short excerpt.
"Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place? He replied, "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. When you hear of ways and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." Then he said to the, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven." v 7-10
Disappointment, even though he knows all things, can be heard in Jesus' voice as he says:
"Unless you people see signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." John 4:48
How blessed we are to have the written Word of God in addition to his signs, which continue today.
The Book of Revelation reminds us the devil has the ability to perform signs. There is a very fiery sign which awaits him though.
"They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty." Revelation 16:14
"But the beast was captured, and wtht it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshipped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur." Revelation 19:20
On Biblegateway, the NIV translation lists 189 verses related to signs.
Genesis begins with many signs related to creation.
There was a star in the sky, which was a sign to the wisemen where to find the baby Jesus.
There was a rainbow in the clouds, a sign of the covenant between God and earth.
Exodus is action packed with signs pointing to the power of God. Moses heard God in specific ways.
"You are to say everything I command you, and your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of this country. But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgement I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites." Exodus 7:2-4
Daniel is one of my favorite heroes of our faith.
Listen to his words and how he uses signs to tell of how personal God is.
"It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me." Daniel 4:2
The theme of Luke 21 is Signs of the End Times. It's a good read. Here is a short excerpt.
"Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place? He replied, "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. When you hear of ways and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." Then he said to the, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven." v 7-10
Disappointment, even though he knows all things, can be heard in Jesus' voice as he says:
"Unless you people see signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." John 4:48
How blessed we are to have the written Word of God in addition to his signs, which continue today.
The Book of Revelation reminds us the devil has the ability to perform signs. There is a very fiery sign which awaits him though.
"They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty." Revelation 16:14
"But the beast was captured, and wtht it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshipped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur." Revelation 19:20
