Understanding The Times
“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.” 1 Chronicles 12:32
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:36
Among the mighty men of David were those of the tribe of Issachar whose special gift was their understanding of the times, a gift of prophetic insight; and this was such a precious gift because included in their discernment was the ability to know how to apply it.
In our time prophecy is everywhere.
Jesus warned us that there would be false prophets in the last days, especially approaching His second coming, and He said the prophecy would be so subtle and the false signs so powerful that even the elect might be deceived if that were possible; Matthew 24:24
While it’s clear to many of us that we’re living in prophetic days, there are also millions who have no clue of the current times and seasons.
So we are faced with a challenge and a profound, multi-faceted responsibility: to acknowledge the significance of our times, to awaken others to this reality, to rightly discern true from false prophecy, and to know what to do about the things we rightly discern. It’s not an easy task.
We must WATCH very carefully, and PRAY as the developments in the world and especially in the Middle East conform to the Word of God. The prophetic clock is ticking toward the final hours of this age when the Lord Jesus will return in power and great glory to judge the entire world of men.
The sons of Issachar understood their times, and knew what to do. Watching and praying, we can too.
Preparing ourselves with holy living for the Lord’s return, we must also warn those who live in ignorance of these amazing days by showing them the prophetic signs and warning them to repent, believe the gospel, and be accounted worthy to escape all these things and to stand before the Son of Man!