Do you ever get those notices or reminders that tell you your driver’s license renewal is due, your cable bill is past due or that it’s time for your eye/dental exam? Sure; everybody does. But are you a procrastinator or do you take heed of these warnings? Some of us need to be reminded often of these notices that we have forgotten after tossing them in a drawer, on our desk or in the trash. Then, one day, you go through a license check and now you remember; but it’s too late, you get a ticket. Or maybe you come home after work to watch your favorite show or sports team to find your cable has been disconnected or your power/phone cut off. Get the message? We need to take time to respond appropriately to warnings (notices) when we receive them.

In God’s word (Holy Bible), many warnings past, present and future are given. Adam was warned not to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil: Genesis 2:17, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Adam did eat of the tree and died a spiritual death that day, in that he was no longer without the knowledge or capability of sinning.

There are many more warnings in the Bible. The entire book of Jeremiah contains sermons and signs where he tells of the only escape from extreme misfortune or disaster is by surrendering to God’s will. Jeremiah 12:17: “But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the Lord.” Here the warnings for disobedience refer to total devastation. Jeremiah, as well as the books of Isaiah through the end of the Old Testament (Malachi), all predict and/or give warning signs as well as reminders of what has come or is coming to our nations as told by God. These books are known of as the Prophetical books.

In Matthew, Jesus tells both the Pharisee and Sadducee leaders where they put their interest in reading signs and warnings. Matthew 16:2-3 says, “He (Jesus) answered and said unto them (Pharisee and Sadducee leaders), “When it is evening, ye say, it will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be foul weather today; for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern (perceive) the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” Jesus is telling them that they can read signs they seem to feel are beneficial for their desires (human desires) but are ignoring spiritual signs from God as told by the prophets. These signs have nothing to do with their earthly desire, thus they are choosing disobedience over obedience.

Another warning that should make us willing to investigate scripture more is in II Peter 3:10: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” This tells us to be prepared at all times for this time of the end of our earthly life. Wow! What a warning (notice).

The notices are in the scriptures (Holy Bible). In Matthew 24 and 25, Jesus tells the future to His disciples through His words and by the use of several parables. You should take the time to read these two chapters and hear it from the One who really knows. God has given us all the answers and warnings that we need. We just have to take the time to investigate and fellowship with God to find the spiritual side of our lives. This is through studying the scripture and prayer with God.

The book of Revelation (Book of consummation) details the character and progression of God throughout the fulfillment of many foretold prophesies pertaining to the end of time on earth, the beginning of the New Jerusalem (Heaven). Without the knowledge of the other 65 books of the Bible, Revelation would seem as a collection of insanely chaotic stories. Will you take the time to find the truth to God’s warnings and notices?

First, you need to admit you’re a sinner and that you need Jesus Christ to make you “whole”. Then believe in Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection as well as receive the Holy Ghost promised to those that believe and surrender to God’s will. Then inform yourself by reading/studying the Holy Bible, God’s word. This, along with “following” His words of wisdom will allow you to gain the knowledge necessary to take the appropriate steps to be victorious in the final days. Don’t procrastinate, but rather do it now. God bless all!

 Jeff Long, Salisbury