“29And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” Luke 21:29-31 (KJV)

In these tired foothills of Appalachia, we are beginning to witness subtle signs that the seasons are “a changing” – that winter is waning and Spring is approaching.
A few weeks ago I noticed that the Hellebore was in full bloom, and tonight I noticed the swollen buds on the magnolia.

As I was examining the buds on the magnolia my mind was drawn to the words of Jesus about the fig tree and I started thinking about the biblical parables of my youth. Our Savior reminded us the shooting forth of the fig tree was a sign that the seasons were “a changing”.
As I look out across our world tonight, there is no doubt in my mind that the season is about to change on God’s calendar, the time of the Gentiles is coming to an end, and a new day is dawning. The times are ‘a changing’

I was reminded of the words of one of my favorite church songs as a teenager:
Years of time have come and gone
Since I first heard it told
How Jesus would come again some day
If back then it seemed so real
Then I just can’t help but feel
How much closer His coming is today
… Signs of the times are everywhere
There’s a brand new feeling in the air
Keep your eyes upon the eastern sky
Lift up your head, redemption draweth nigh
… Wars and strife on every hand
And violence fills the land
Still some people doubt He’ll ever come again
Oh, but the Word of God is true
He’ll redeem His chosen few
So don’t lose hope for soon Christ Jesus will descend
… Signs of the times are everywhere
There’s a brand new feeling in the air
Keep your eyes upon the eastern sky
Lift up your head, redemption draweth nigh
… Oh, keep your eyes upon the eastern sky
Lift up your head, redemption draweth nigh
I do believe if you are watching the signs, you know the seasons are ‘a changing’ and our redemption draweth nigh!