GOD’S HUMAN SIGNPOSTS
I. AN OLD TESTAMENT SIGNPOST
Genesis 5:21-22 21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.
The Days Methuselah Lived In Were
1. DAYS OF DEPARTURE FROM GOD
Genesis 6:3 Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, they will live no more than 120 years." [NLT]
2. DAYS OF A FAITHFUL REMNANT
Genesis 5:22 Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.
Genesis 6:9 Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless man living on earth at the time. He consistently followed God’s will and enjoyed a close relationship with him.
3. DAYS OF REVELATION
a. CONCERNING THE COMING OF THE LORD TO EARTH
Jude 14-15 Enoch, who lived in the seventh generation after Adam, prophesied about these people. He said, “Listen! The Lord is coming with countless thousands of his holy ones 15 to execute judgment on the people of the world. He will convict every person of all the ungodly things they have done and for all the insults that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
b. CONCERNING THE COMING OF THE FLOOD
Genesis 5:21 When Enoch was 65 years old, he became the father of Methuselah.
The Name Methuselah means “
"he dies, and it [i.e. the Flood] is sent,"
II. A NEW TESTAMENT SIGNPOST
Luke 2:26 The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
The Days Simeon Lived In Were
1. DAYS OF DEPARTURE FROM GOD
Matthew 12:41 The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent.
2. DAYS OF A FAITHFUL REMNANT
Simeon:
Luke 2:25 there was at Jerusalem a man named Simeon, a just and religious man, who expected the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him, [LO]
Anna:-
Luke 2:37 she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.
3. DAYS OF REVELATION
a. HE WOULD SEE THE PROMISED MESSIAH
Luke 2:26 It had been revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
b. HE KNEW THE TIME HAD COME
Luke 2:27-31 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all people.
III. A PRESENT-DAY SIGNPOST
Luke 21:31-32. when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near. 32 I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place.
The Days We Live In Are
1. DAYS OF DEPARTURE FROM GOD
II Timothy 3:1-5. You must realize that in the last days the times will be full of danger. 2 Men will become utterly self–centred, greedy for money, full of big words. They will be proud and abusive, without any regard for what their parents taught them. They will be utterly lacking in gratitude, reverence 3 and normal human affections. They will be remorseless, scandal–mongers, uncontrolled and violent and haters of all that is good 4 They will be treacherous, reckless and arrogant, loving what gives them pleasure instead of loving God. 5 They will maintain a facade of "religion" but their life denies its truth. Keep clear of people like that. [JBP]
2. DAYS OF A FAITHFUL REMNANT
Revelation 3:4 even in Sardis there are some who have not soiled their garments with evil deeds.
3. DAYS OF REVELATION
Daniel 12:9-10 he said, "Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is for the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined by these trials. But the wicked will continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those who are wise will know what it means.
Here we have the opening of what had been closed!
A revealing of what had been hidden!
In Luke 21:7-24 we have the Lord telling of the coming destruction of Jerusalem.
Note v. 24
Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the period of the Gentiles comes to an end.
In Matthew 21:17-20 we have Israel typified in the withering of the fig tree - Israel is typified in scripture by the fig tree.
Luke 21:29-31
He told them this parable: "Look at the fig-tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
We have a picture here of the emerging nations!
It is worth taking note that it was of the people alive at this time the Lord spoke in Luke 21:32
"I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
Over the last quarter of a century we have seen many nations emerging - (When they sprout leaves) It is when we see this taking place that we need to take a special note of the Word of God
Matthew 24:44 This is why you also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. [Hol;man]
