The End is Near – The Signs!
Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you.” “[The LORD] raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.” (Mark 13:5, 1Sam 2:8)
The election of President Donald Trump is a serious sign. The resignation of Canterbury Archbishop Justin Welby is a serious sign. The expansion of BRICS is a serious sign. Think about it.
You are warmly welcome! I thank God for the refreshing time I have been on leave, and heartily appreciate the ministers that kept the Chapel running in all her branches, especially Rev. Capt. Jaspher Oluge who was leading the team.
The Archbishop of Uganda declared the month of November as a Focus Month for Children, with special emphasis on children with special needs. The love and care for children is one of the important areas in which we need to be transformed for the better as we conform to God’s Word. He loves and embraces children, and calls us to the same – by removing all sorts of stigma and discrimination and giving them access to education, healthcare, social services and support to enable them to grow physically, emotionally and spiritually. I applaud parents, schools, organizations, churches and government efforts supporting children with special needs. In today’s first reading, we meet Hannah ecstatically and prophetically giving thanks for baby Samuel – a powerful reminder that children are a gift from God and we must handle them with faithful stewardship.
As we draw towards the end of the church year, we are reminded that just as seasons come and go, there will be an ultimate end for which we need to be ready. When they asked him for details about the end times, Jesus started by giving this warning to his disciples: "Watch out that no one deceives you.” Many people in both the distant and recent past have been fatally misled on this subject; so, we need to watch out. We live in a world where human advancement, technology and liberalism are conspiring to enthrone man as god, and deny and disregard the Creator. Philosophies and programmes promoting humanistic idolatry are in the public square, backed by leading governments and international organizations. However, some shocks – like the election of President Donald J Trump and the collapse of humanistic church monuments – indicate that what Hannah prophetically sang is true – that “those who oppose the LORD will be broken.” He is God above all.
The end-time signs that Jesus talked about are all around us: the false prophets, the wars, earthquakes, famines, betrayals, and even the persecutions. However, Jesus calls us to firmly hold onto God, acknowledging Him even in the face of much opposition; and to preach the Gospel at every opportunity – to the ends of the earth. Those who stand firm to the end will be saved: stand firm and love and guide and defend the children; stand firm and be the salt and light to the end.
God bless you all.