All Articles For Signs of the Times

The world has just passed through a sign of the times. Did you notice?  The western world does so on an annual basis.  Our Holiday Season is a sign of the times. 

There runs to and fro across the earth a black horse. Upon this horse there sits a rider holding in his hand a pair of balances. And as this mighty steed and rider make their drive through the earth there booms a voice, “A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the wine and the oil.” 

Much has been written about the “sexual revolution.” Evidences of it have been repeatedly pointed out. There is a greater freeness with “love” and marriage. There is the display of the human body. There is greater permissiveness with respect to sexual deviations. And have you glanced over the magazine racks lately? Both the cover pictures and the titillating titles leave nothing to the imagination. The same may be said of both movie and television.  Very simply stated, there is nothing that can shame man anymore. 

Among the mass of “junk” mail that regularly enters one’s mailbox, the minister is subjected to some in addition to that which most laymen receive. Here in Grand Rapids, we receive regularly and without charge, Grace Notes. Judging from its name, one would think it to be a commendable organization. How could it not be—if its emphasis is upon grace? In fact, a recent flier from GRACE asked the question, “What does GRACE mean to you?” Alongside of that question one could find the definitions presented in the dictionary.

The title may seem a bit pretentious. It could certainly be used in various different senses. I am concerned particularly in the attempt of Satan to infiltrate our very homes in order to instruct in the lie. We are, perhaps, not too aware of his attempt. Nor are we always aware of the fact that as the time of the end approaches, Satan will increasingly try to speak to us. His time is short—and he knows that. He, therefore, works frantically in order to undermine or destroy (if such were possible) the faith of the saints. 

Daily, disturbing reports are presented in the news media of impending calamities in this world. One must ask himself, “How do these fit in with the signs of the times? How do they indicate the nearness of the coming again of Christ?” 

On the basis of Rev. 13:11-18, II Thess. 2:3-12, Matt. 24:24-26, and other passages, we believe that near the very end of time there will be established the great church of the antichrist. This church will claim to be following the mandates of Christ.

At the last Standard Bearer staff meeting it was decided, among other things, to add this rubric in our magazine in place of that one which the writer formerly edited: Examining Ecumenicalism. 

John was greatly troubled. Tears flowed from his eyes. Great sobs were wrenched from his chest. And he had reason for this misery. He had seen a scroll sealed with seven seals. That scroll must be opened—but none appeared worthy to take it and loose its seals. Finally, he receives the information from one of the elders that the Lion of Judah’s tribe, the Root of David, had prevailed to open the book. That One was Jesus Christ. The Book He was about to open was the Book of God’s counsel.