“He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; ³ and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.” Matthew 16:2-3 (NKJV)

As I walked this morning, the wind picked up a bit. I noticed that the leaves of the trees were turning upside down. Looking up I saw ominous clouds beginning to form in the sky. This transpires often in the summer months here. Thunder resounded in the distance and I expected to be caught in a downpour.

Today’s storm clouds are still hanging around, but so far there is no rain or storm to notice.

We look at weather apps and news to find what the weather holds for us during the day. Most of the time, for our location, the apps are anything but accurate. Our best bet is to look outside and see what is happening.

The same can be true of our world today. We hear of wars, rumors of wars, famine, earthquakes, volcanoes, murders and so on and so forth. The news heralds doom and gloom. If we were to focus solely on what we hear and watch, there would be no joy for anyone.

Matthew 24:32-34 says, ““Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. ³³ In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. ³⁴ I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place.” (NLT)

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Matthew 24:6 (NKJV)

I often wonder when we will see the appearing of the Lord. Each decade brings more turbulence in the world. Each decade I wonder if the Lord can wait any longer. What season are we in? Yes, summer is here, but in the season of our God, what season is this?

I wish I could discern and say with authority what it is, but, no I can’t. We can look at the sky and know when it is going to storm or snow or be hot, and we can look at the news and talk of all that is happening in the world. But only our heavenly Father knows when our Lord is going to return.

A year ago, a dear friend shared with Dale and I a vision he had had. He said that the horses in heaven were out of their stables, pawing the ground and ready to be mounted and go. This still sends chills through me, as the time is drawing near, hopefully.

“The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses.” Revelation 19:14 (NLT)

So, as I close I listen to the thunder rolling in the distance and await to hear the thunder of hooves on the day of our Lord reappearing.