Discerning the Signs in Our Times
All of us have marveled at the amazing signs given in the Bible. I don’t know about you, but I have wondered how they could discern the meaning of each – since each seems wrapped in an enigma. Thank heavens; they give us the answers in the Word.
But what about now? Does God speak through signs in this day and age? Yes, He does. But unlike those disclosed in the Bible, the truly extraordinary – and, most of the time, publicly visible – signs, require a good deal of prayer and Biblical acuity to receive the comfort or guidance laid out before us by the Lord.
SIGNS?
So let us take a sign that has been given to us in these recent days as an illustration of how one might break down such a challenge with scripture: sort of a modern-day “how to.”
FIRST, THE SIGN
On August 9th, 2020 (last month), we had a 5.1 earthquake on Prayer Mountain – at 8:08 a.m. It was so violent that it shook the whole mountain and the structure that houses the ministry. We hear that it was felt all the way to Scotland. Very exciting.
THE DATE OF THE SIGN
August 9th seemed a confusing date to me at first. August 8th is Bob Jones’s “resurrection day” – as he called it. On August 8th, he died, went to Heaven, and was sent back by the Lord. But it wasn’t the 8th. The earthquake occurred on the 9th. But its nearness to that special day helped us to realize that the 8th and 9th were related – in this instance in that Bob was part of both narratives.
The number “9” gave an answer to a years-old puzzle that started when an angel picked up Bob Jones and took him to the top of Prayer Mountain in the early days of the land being populated. The angel asked him to strike the earth nine times. When he did, the tall staff he was carrying to help him stand (after a recent knee surgery) shattered as he struck the earth the 9th time. He was told by the Father to turn to the north, south, east, and west and call out to the people of the world to come to Prayer Mountain – decreeing that people will come from the four corners of the world to meet with their Heavenly Father.
The earthquake on Prayer Mountain being on the 9th showed that the time for the fulfillment of that prophetic word was at hand. The nine strikes to the earth were finally understood.
THE TIME OF THE SIGN
8:08 – Double new beginnings. As when the dreams were interpreted by Joseph for Pharaoh, the answer was accompanied by the statement that the prophetic dreams would be established. The events would absolutely take place because the dream was given twice. The matter had been firmly decided by God (Genesis 41:32). The double means the same in our times as it did when Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams. The double “8” means a new beginning is certain.
THE DEGREE OF SHAKING WITHIN THE SIGN
The fact that it was 5.1 shows the grace of the Lord toward His people by – in His perfect timing – bringing it about. (Five is the number of grace.)
THE REACH OF THE SIGN
The fact that the quake was felt in Scotland is significant. Remember Donald Trump walking over to that small church near the grounds of the White House? He carried with him and held up a Bible when he arrived. That Bible belonged to his two great aunts who prayed in the Hebrides Revival. The Hebrides are islands off the mainland of Scotland on the west side.
Those who are not Christians would not understand the significance of that Bible in the hands of our President. To Christians, we see the fulfillment of promises (even through a family line).
It is important for us to see the Lord’s faithfulness to answer the prayers the Moravians prayed so many years ago for the land now known as Prayer Mountain.
THE NAME OF THE CENTER OF THE SIGN
The center of the quake was in Sparta – a nearby town. Remember, the Spartans were a war-like nation. By centering the quake in Sparta, the Lord showed that He was shaking all that can be shaken (Hebrews 12:27) and like a man of war, He is beginning to stand for His great name (Joel 3:9).
How does this combination of clues speak to the purposes concerning Prayer Mountain?
THE SIGN DECODED:
The earthquake, given by the grace of the Lord on the 9th, was to show that He has come to fulfill the prophetic word and act, given through Bob Jones and that it will now be accomplished. He is raising up to “do His will,” and nothing will delay it. The time has come, and He is declaring this to those who can hear. After so many years of waiting, He is declaring that He will wait no longer. He is coming to fulfill His word; that we should rejoice in anticipation.
We here in Moravian Falls are very encouraged and reassured and just downright excited. The Lord truly “got our attention” through this earthquake.
He has given many physical signs here. One was at the beginning when a path was cut to the top of Prayer Mountain. The top of the mountain glowed for two weeks, to the amazement of many. Also, there were locations that we – through prayer – were unable to cleanse. Our Lord brought a tornado and allowed it to drop down on just those physical locations and – without touching any inhabited structure or person – He wiped the land clean.
Most people do not associate the phenomena on Prayer Mountain with our Lord interjecting Himself into the physical locations with spiritual declarations that He, alone, can make. But He is speaking. He has not forgotten His promises, nor has His desire for a chapel to be built on the top of the ridge, been abandoned. Therefore we say with all the angels assigned to this place: “Come, Lord Jesus.”
