Many in the church today can not discern the signs of the times. They see it from the perspective from which they have been taught, but have you been taught by the way that seems right to a man or by God? That’s why Paul said in the end of the Acts of the Apostles, Acts 28:25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say:
“Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;
And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.” ’ 28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.
Have you seen the church explode today as it did in the beginning? Is the true gospel preached telling all those who are around that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand? In the verses that you read, Paul quoted Isaiah by saying the people would be healed. Jesus told His disciples (followers), Matthew 10:7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Many who followed Jesus were doing this. Look at the seventy that Jesus sent out. Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Look at what happened when they returned. Luke 10:17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” Even Stephen was doing wonders, Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
Are the signs of the early church greater or less than the church today? Who do you believe is responsible for that, man or God? Who’s faith are you following? Hebrews 13:7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Are the ones you are following imitating Christ? 1 Corinthians 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Now you may understand why Jesus told the religious leaders that you can discern the sky, but you can not discern the signs of the times. Matthew 16:1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 2 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. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed. Can the world read your life and discern if you are a follower of Jesus or just like the rest of the world?
If you want to see what the early church was like,here is the book of acts in video format. Enjoy
