Blood Moon; Etc. Etc. Etc.

Prophecy buffs, and apocalyptic preachers and authors have gone "ga-ga" over the first of four predicted "Blood Moons", especially this one which occurred during Holy Week (Passover).  As I think of all the emphasis put on this I'm reminded of the King of Siam (Anna and the King) responding to Anna with the line "Etcetera, Etcetera, Etcetera!"
The significance of these "signs of the end" according to Jesus is to prod Christians to get busy about kingdom business.  When He used the metaphor of the farmer reading the signs in the sky, He did not indicate that they became enamored with the signs, but rather that they used the signs to plan the next crop cycle; prepare land, plant, tend and harvest.
The same is true regarding the "signs of the end".  We are to busy ourselves with the "work of the One who sent Jesus" while it is day because "the night comes when no man can work."  What that means to the individual Christ-follower, is that they should get serious about the Great Commission.  They should also make certain that all relationships are as they should be.  I believe that we must focus on the things that will build the kingdom of God rather than the surmising of what the "signs" might mean.  As a list maker, here is my to-do list from now until God takes me home or until Jesus comes back.

  • Forgive and seek forgiveness for/from anyone to/from whom it is due.
  • Write that letter, make that phone call or visit to restore relationships.
  • Take every opportunity to share the Gospel with those around me and leave the results to God.
  • Connect with new believers and "teach them to observe(do)all that I've been commanded to do."
  • Cooperate with God as He "conforms me to the image of Jesus" (Romans 8:29)
  • Focus on obeying what I know and understand and trust God to reveal what I need to know and understand.
There will be signs.  There will be books and conferences supposedly interpreting those signs.  However I think it behooves believers to carefully pay attention to the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 24; Mark 13 and Luke 21.  His focus was and is upon the work to be done and not the time of His second coming.

Comments

Rich Bradford said…
I've been one who has been consumed by these Blood Moons for months. Your post is so refreshing. It is not so much the books and the conferences, but it is all about the Kingdom business. Definitely appreciate the advice.
April 15, 2014 at 10:52 AM
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