Luke 12:54-55 (ESV) He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens.
Jesus is talking about how people forecast the weather by signs they see in the sky. Clouds of a certain color coming from a direction meant rain is coming in the future. Winds from the south desert in Jesus’ day meant that hot days were coming in the future. When we understand the times, there are signs that point to what is going to happen in the future.
Luke 12:56 (ESV) You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
God desires for us to be able to interpret the spiritual signs of the present age. To understand what is going to happen in the future, as we compare the Bible with the signs that we see all around us. The crowds that Jesus was talking to had seen many signs and miracles that Jesus had performed. Yet, many still did not understand the times, that the Messiah had come. That they must believe in Him in order to be saved.
Luke 12:57-58 (ESV) “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison.
In this short parable, Jesus talks about a person who is accused of a crime and is compelled to go before the judge. Jesus is saying that you know you’re in trouble, you need to settle with your accuser before you get before the judge and end up in prison. In this story, the person is meant to represent us. Going to the judge is the final judgement. Prison is hell.
What Jesus is saying is that we need to get our lives in order before the final judgement. While we are alive on earth is our only opportunity to be forgiven of our sins and crimes by God. Make sure that you are forgiven and no longer guilty before facing judgement. When you understand the times, you understand the time is short.
People have a great tendency to somehow think they’re going to live forever. Now, we all know that that’s not true, but many people live like they’re going to live forever. Many people say that they’re putting off getting right with God until the near the end of their lives. They want to enjoy of life of sin and living for themselves and then get things right just before the end. Rarely works that way.
Others have bought into the increasing amount of false teaching with respect to eternity these days. The teaching that hell is not eternal, you ultimately will get out, is false. The teaching that there is something called purgatory that doesn’t last very long, is false. There is nothing like purgatory in the Bible. The teaching that just being a good person will get you to heaven is false. Realize the time is short, get right with God today, don’t put it off.
God wants us to be people who understand and correctly interpret the times. You are living in a time when Jesus’ return is closer than ever before. You need to be ready to meet Jesus at any time. Live as though He could appear any second and life as we know it would be over. When Jesus appears, everyone’s eternal destiny is sealed.
You must realize that Jesus brings division between people, between believers and unbelievers. Division is not bad. The difference can be used by God to draw unbelievers to himself. Understand that time is short. Don’t assume that you have all the time in world to do what God has asked you to do or to get right with him. The time is short. Get right with Jesus today. Get busy doing the things that He is calling you to. Ask God to help you understand the times and know what to do with your life.