The writings of Luke the physician starting with his version of the gospel - Luke 12:54-59 comments: discerning the time

Luke 12:54 ¶  And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. 55  And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. 56  Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? 57  Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? 58  When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. 59  I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.

Christ has spoken directly to His disciples and now He turns to the people in general. Here, Jesus talks about how they can predict the weather by what is clear and plain in the sky or in the direction of the wind but they cannot see what is going on right in front of them and make a judgment. He warns about judgment. They do not realize the day they live in as the day of God visiting them on earth. He visited Israel in blessing and in judgment in the past and now He has come bringing salvation or eternal loss if they reject Him.

Here is the Messiah, the Christ, offering salvation to the Jews and to mankind. Man is in rebellion against his Creator and he would do well for himself if he accepted that Creator’s terms before judgment came upon him.

People who are not blinded by self-conceit will come to a place in their lives where it is obvious that God is speaking to them through the events and circumstances that placed them where they are. If they will just acknowledge that the signs are showing them just how badly they need to repent of their wickedness and turn to God they can be saved. God doesn’t just speak through a person who is presenting the gospel. He speaks through the events of your life, the consequences of your sins, and the circumstances brought upon you either by yourself or others stumbling blindly through this world.

We must be ready and be about God’s business as the time of the end or our time of the end approaches not wasting our time in the idolatry of covetousness and glorifying things of this world that get in the way with our responsibility as Christians. God’s business does not include abusing each other, trying to control each other, dominating each other, being implacable, unmerciful, and self-righteous. God’s business is the kingdom of God and just as Jesus will tell us in Luke 17 that the kingdom of God is an invisible kingdom and is within us and in John 18:36 not of this world, Paul tells us in Romans 14:17 that it is not a physical thing but is in fact righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.  

Jesus has told us what is not important and what is. He was warned His Jewish disciples and the future Christian. He has given us commands and we would do well to consider them and weigh them carefully in our hearts. Time is short. If Christ does not return this year or the next you or I may certainly die and go see Him face to face in that time. It is not for you or I to know that time. But, be prepared.