Why do people want a sign to validate what is happening in our world? Many are pointing to current events and say these are signs Jesus is coming soon. While that may be true, people have sought signs to validate truths since God spoke in Genesis chapter 3. When mankind sinned, the fellowship between God and mankind was broken. Now, there was a need for a Redeemer, a Savior, to restore the fellowship of God and mankind. There are over 44 prophecies that were told in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. Yet, millions will not believe simply based on the word of God. They look for a sign. They believe almost everything in life based on what someone else has said, but when it comes to Jesus and their future of heaven or hell, they refuse to believe that He could come at any time.
In Mark 8:11-12, the Pharisees question Jesus and try to find fault with Him. Seeking to prove Him to be an imposter. Their language was not one of a plea for help or understanding. It was not of curiosity; it was a hostile demand for Jesus to prove His claims. In verse 12, Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit. Commentaries tell us He was deeply moved by their wickedness and hypocrisy. The word “spirit” meant he was deeply moved emotionally. He told them they would not receive a sign from Heaven. God had already provided many signs. In Matthew 12:38-40, He answered them that they already had a sign: He would be in the grave 3 days and 3 nights, just as Jonah was in the belly of a great fish. They had the sign of God the Father speaking when Jesus was baptized. His baptism was the trinity coming together before their eyes, but they would not believe in Him.
Mark 8:11-12 “And the Pharisees came forth and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.”
Matthew 12:38-40 “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Matthew 3:16-17 “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
They asked for a sign when He was on the cross. In Matthew 27:39, those who mocked Him said if you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.
We should not ask for a sign. We should focus on the task God has given us to do now. Jesus could return at any time, and we need to win others to Him. God has fulfilled all that we need to have proof that Jesus is the Son of God and that He will return one day.
He is not a God who needs to prove himself to us. He is not a God who does tricks to convince us of who He is. We live in a generation where people are too lazy to seek the truth and too selfish to accept the authority of the Bible. We live in a world where education and intelligence are supreme. This world is no different than the times of the Pharisees and Sadducees of the Bible. They were so educated that their pride caused them to miss the truth.
We go about our business as if life here will go on forever. We act as if we will never die. We put off doing the most important things to do the least important things. The important things are things that have eternal value, things that please the Lord and honor Him. We miss the point of His crucifixion and resurrection. He did not die so that we could have a prosperous, happy life here. He died so that we could have so much more. He died so that we could have eternal life with Him.
The signs we need for the future are already fulfilled. His life, death, and resurrection proved His deity. Many have wanted signs and have lived for themselves because they did not recognize what has already been done. We have a mission, and it’s not to look for the signs of the times. It is to redeem the time by living for Him and winning others to Him.
Ephesians 5:15-16 “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
We can calculate and spend our time trying to figure out when Jesus is coming, but it is useless. Jesus himself does not know when He will return. Only the Father knows the appointed time. Let’s get busy so that when He does come, we will be ready.
Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
