JESUS ends this discourse in chapter 12 by making a strong call to act before it is to late. Jesus is concerned that we might be reconciled to God before it is to late. Jesus is concerned that we may be able to see things in the world in terms of eternity and not simply in terms of time.

In the first place Jesus focuses our attention on a fact of life. It is a fact that we easily interpret signs concerning the weather. We can determine whether the weather can be fine or rainy, but we seem unable to see other signs in our day which are concerned with God and eternity.

In Jesus' day the signs of the time which were not understood or specially noticed was the fact of the coming of John the Baptist and his preaching, and the coming of Christ with the signs of his miracles and his preaching. In fact the religious elite opposed both the preaching of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. They could not see that the Messiah they had hope for was present in their midst. We may well ask the reason for this, and if we do the answer is plain. The Jewish leaders had made the word of God fit their own perception of what was true, and so when Jesus spoke the truth they were offended, and opposed him.

What are the signs in our time? Surely these are many and plain. Let us look at the state of the church in the UK. One bishop has predicted that if things go on as they are the Church of England may well cease to exist in 20 years. Except for a few exceptions the number of worshippers have decreased and in consequence the machinery of the Church of England has become less and less viable. Churches are having to be closed or amalgamated with others under one minister. Funds available to maintain ministry diminish as the number of worshippers decrease. What does this signify? What is this sign pointing to? Is it not that, like the Jewish church in the time of Jesus, God has become displeased with what he sees, and has withdrawn his blessing in displeasure.

What then is the cause of his displeasure. Many things can be noted but perhaps the key one is that the church has departed from the pure Word of God, and like the Pharisees of old have altered or interpreted the Word of God to suit human wisdom.

Because of this the church fails to observe the sign of the times in countries and in the world. Is it not a sign of the time that we are suffering inordinate weather patterns that have brought distress and loss on many people. Is it not true that civil disorder has increased in various countries in the world which threaten world peace. What sign is to be observed here? The church today goes along with the world and seeks to find answers in human wisdom. God is left out, and it is denied that God may be seeking to give us a sign of his displeasure. Instead of the church being a voice calling people to repent and turn to God, and a voice calling people to pray that God may intervene in mercy; the church denies that God is saying anything at all, and speaks as if a God of love makes God speaking in warnings of judgement a total impossibility.

Jesus goes on to speak to each individual. The illustration that he uses is a dispute between two people. Jesus speaks of the danger of not seeking reconciliation until it is to late, and the end is condemnation and being incarcerated in prison.

Surely this is a call from Jesus to seek reconciliation with God before it is too late. The Bible is clear that there is a hell as well as heaven as a final destination in eternity. The Bible is clear that God will cast into hell at the final judgement all who have not been reconciled to him in this present life. The Bible is clear that reconciliation can only be achieved through heartfelt repentance and turning to Christ in heartfelt trust as Saviour. The Bible is clear that reconciliation is only possible through Christ, because only in Christ's sacrificial death for our sins can God be just and at the same time justify sinners in his sight.

Here the church again has wandered from the pathway of reconciliation with God. Many in the church deny that there is any need for reconciliation. They say that God who is love would never cast into hell any sincere and respectable person. Some go as far as to say that the love of God makes it impossible for the existence of hell to be even contemplated. This encourages people to believe that there is no need to be reconciled to God, and so they live their lives in the vain hope that all will be well when they die. To these Jesus warns that there is a very real need to be reconciled to God.

If we are not reconciled to God before we die, than the words of Jesus at the end of our passage will be true. He says "I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny." This can only mean everlasting damnation because there will be no means in hell to pay anything which will atone for our sins.