The Sign PM The etymology of the word "sign" indicates a specific definition in God's Word.

It is that of something arranged beforehand to be recognized and understood. For example, seeing a light in the tower of a church at night makes for little notice, unless you were Paul Revere and it was April 28th of 1876. It was a sign that indicated the location and approach of the British. If the sender and receiver had not pre-arranged the meaning of that sign, this would be quite a different country today. So many Christians today pray and beg for a sign from God. They fall short in preparing themselves in understanding the written Word and what it says concerning signs. God foretold us of signs and signals that we should recognize, but _have we observed them_? There is a time of deception coming and there will be many signs. We must be able to determine between the good and the bad. If we are familiar and understand God's Word, we can better realize what the watchmen are to observe. Let's see what our Lord Jesus Christ said concerning the signs we were to expect. Luke 11:29-30 And when the people were gathered thick together, He began to say, "This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation." Jesus didn't give us a list of things to expect. He said the ONLY sign given would be that of Jonah. Do you already know all there is to know about Jonah? The sign Christ speaks of is as current today as it was at the time He spoke those words. Luke 11:31-32 "The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh shall rise up in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here." Ninevah repented and was spared. Jonah was instructed, directly by God, to go to Ninevah to sound a warning. To correct them with preaching so they could be saved from destruction. Instead, he started _moaning and groaning_. He wouldn't listen. Does this remind you of a generation today? Do you moan and groan and say, "Oh if I could only be sure.... If I could just have a sign...." Jonah jumped on a ship and would have sacrificed himself to avoid God's will. God knows what is best for everyone, yet Jonah thought he knew better. Our Father was not only concerned about Israel, He wants to save the Gentile also. Later on, salvation was opened up to them so that IF they believed, salvation was theirs. As it is written, all of Israel shall be saved, but they have a purpose here: to bring the truth to the world. God had pre-determined to provide a huge fish for Jonah in which he spent three days and three nights. The same amount of time Christ spent in the tomb. Was it coincidence that it was a fish that spewed him out on the beach near Ninevah, when the people there worshipped a FISH god? There are many obvious signs, but let's take a deeper look at Jonah's words. Jonah 2:1-2 Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly, And said, "I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and He heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and Thou heardest my voice." This verse tells us to pay attention to Psalm 120:1, it was quoted

here. Refer to Lamentations 3:55 and Psalm 65:2 also. There is a message or "sign" in each verse of this book. Even Isaiah 14 is referred to, which brings in a very important sign, when Satan is cast down from heaven to earth. These references only scratch the surface. If you were to start cross referencing the entire book of Jonah you would find that every book in God's Word is quoted in this prophet's message. Jonah 2:3 "For Thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all Thy billows and Thy waves passed over me." The words from two more Psalms are quoted in this verse. Study Psalms 88:6 and 42:7. Jonah 2:4 "Then I said, 'I am cast out of Thy sight; yet I will look again toward Thy holy temple.'" Again, the writer is speaking the words of Psalm 31:22. Jonah 2:5 "The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head." Refer to Lamentations 3:54 and Psalm 69:1. Let's take some time here to see how much we really knew about the sign of Jonah. God's Word is pregnant, always continuing in growth. We must understand that it is not possible to absorb all of God's Word in one or two readings. Psalms 69:1-3 Save me, O God; For the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: Mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. There isn't anyone, but God that could have pulled Jonah from the belly of that fish. Psalms 69:4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: They that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: Then I restored that which I took not away. In being true Christians you become objects of this same hate. As far as restoring what is not owed, it should bring to mind usury and our present economy. Psalms 69:5-12 0 God, Thou knowest my foolishness; And my sins are not hid from Thee. Let not them that wait on Thee, 0 LORD God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: Let not those that seek Thee be confounded for my sake, 0 God of Israel. Because for Thy sake I have borne reproach; Shame hath covered my face. I am become a stranger unto my brethren, And an alien unto my mother's children. For the zeal of Thine house hath eaten me up; And the reproaches of them that reproached Thee are fallen upon me.When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, That was to my reproach. I made sackcloth also my garment; And I became a proverb to them. They that sit in the _gate_ speak against me; And I was the song of the drunkards. This gate is the place of judgment, ie. government. Psalms 69:13 But as for me, my prayer is unto Thee, 0 LORD, in an acceptable _time_: 0 God, in the multitude of Thy mercy hear me, in the truth of Thy salvation. "Time" is the key in understanding when the sign shall be given. Do you see the significances (or signs) given to you in each word spoken in Jonah's record? For lack of space, I cannot print the rest of this chapter, but you should finish reading it (available on tape <http://www.shepherdschapel.com>). A person could study a lifetime and probably not fully receive the knowledge involved in the signs given through Jonah that Christ told us of. First and foremost is the obvious, Don't be a Jonah!! So many people today whine and moan for a sign. What kind of sign do you want to see? The signs that God has pre-arranged and told us of are coming to pass. Do you not see them?

I Thessalonians 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. Again I ask, what kind of sign do you pray for? Is there a specific one you await or are you just being foolish? I Thessalonians 5:2-3 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, "Peace and safety;" then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. After the crying for peace comes the sudden destruction. "Travail" in the Greek is labor pains. They get closer and closer, as the second advent gets nearer and nearer. But you are a child of light. You are aware of this travail. It was foretold you by God. It is a sign, pre-arranged, that shows you that Christ's return will be soon. The sudden destruction will not come as a thief to those who walk in His light because we can see Him approaching. Only those who slumber can be surprised by these events. Have you been aware of the signs that have taken place even in the last few months? They are happening faster and faster. Do you recognize them? Don't beg for your own personal sign. Study to show yourself approved and an acceptable watchman of our Father. _Start by taking a closer look at why Jesus said our only sign would be the sign of Jonah_. That which is written will come to pass, much of which is taking place rapidly before our very eyes today. Every day is a beautiful day, because, "Jesus IS the Living Word"