Signs in The Skys?

Dublin is a small quiet farming community in central Texas. The population is about 4,000 and the area covers just 3.4 square miles. Its only claim to fame may be that the town is the home of the world's oldest Dr Pepper bottling plant and hometown to legendary golfer Ben Hogan. But recently, the normally little-known spot has been in the news. The reason? UFO’s.

Ricky Sorrells started seeing a flat, metallic object hovering about 300 feet over a pasture behind his Dublin home on Monday night, January 14th. A machinist by trade, Sorrells said he's seen the object several times. He said he watched it through his rifle's telescopic lens and that it was very large and without seams, nuts or bolts.

Interestingly, and for what it’s worth, Sorrells is not alone. Several dozen people in the area, many reputable citizens, have reported seeing a similar object. Some maintain they saw fighter jets chasing whatever it was. Steve Allen, himself a pilot, saw an object a week earlier and said it was absolutely huge and resembled nothing recognizable to him. Allen also said, "People wonder what in the world it is because this is the Bible Belt, and everyone is afraid it's the end of times,"

This statement about fear and the end times may well refer to several New Testament Scripture passages. Luke 21, Mathew 24 and Mark 13 all speak to the conditions just prior to the coming of the Son of Man. Luke 17 also reveals these same times as being like “the days of Noah” as far as the similar deplorable moral conditions existing when Christ comes.

Luke 21: 25 begins, "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

For those unsure of what the future holds, or where eternity will lead, the thought of the end times is understandably frightening – and with good reason! Daily life often brings with it a vast array of worries, cares, and fears. But the next life is scary beyond comprehension for those not ready to have a sinful life be scrutinized by a holy and just God. The writer of Hebrews related that truth in chapter 10 and verse 31 stating there, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Jesus gave more than ample warning about spiritual preparedness during His earthly ministry. In Matthew 25:13 he said, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." Luke 12:40 follows suit. “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

The warnings for man to ready himself to stand accountable before his maker are many and are clear. The route of readiness is equally precise. And the journey to salvation uses the same road map today as it did 2,000 years ago when Paul and Silas gave the answer of all answers to the question of questions to a frightened bunch of fellow inmates. The question came in Acts 16:30. “And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

The answer was simple yet striking. “So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” After one has been properly readied to face God by having Jesus Christ as his advocate, a life-long privilege of service then follows. 1 Peter 3:15 puts it this way. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”

For the Christian, fear will never be having to face God in a guilty and unredeemed state. The only thing that should ever scare a disciple of Christ is failing to serve the Savior and to spread His message that alone can ready the sons of men to confidently face the Son of Man!

Bill Breckenridge