Changing Times: Romans 13:11-14
“11) Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12) The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13) Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 13) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” Romans 13:11-14
Paul now drives home the point why living in Agape love from the previous three verses was so important. Times can change quickly. A little history lesson may be in order.
For the most part, the Christians in Rome refused to participate in the social and civic life of ordinary Romans that was laced with pagan worship and sexual immorality. Christians were generally disliked as being judge-mental. Then on July 19, AD 64 a fire broke out in Rome destroying ten of the fourteen districts. Two of the remaining districts had the largest Christian population. Blame was soon laid at their feet. The Apostle Paul Himself was presumably put to death in AD 68.
Times were also changing fast back in Palestine. Darkness was coming on society. The relative calm during the days of Jesus were quickly vanishing. Rome was also blaming the Jews for the calamity. Four years of unrest culminated in AD 70 when a Roman army marched into Jerusalem and destroyed everything including the temple.
Christians saw the prophetic warning of the pending destruction and many fled Jerusalem. Jesus Himself had warned about the destruction of the temple. (See Mark 13:1-2) Times were very difficult and persecution was everywhere. Christians bore the brunt of the suffering.
When times change… it can be felt. It is like a pressure cooker. Things start heating up until the release valve sounds the alarm. As Paul was writing the alarm was beginning to sound. He was forewarning the Christians and telling them to wake up. He felt the return of Christ was eminent.
I believe an alarm is also sounding in our day. Times are changing. It is time for Christians to wake up. Amazing prophetic days are quickly approaching. It is time to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
