Mark 16:15-20 – “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. ¹⁶ He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. ¹⁷ These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; ¹⁸ they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

¹⁹ So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. ²⁰ And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I had a keen sense of urgency!  I truly believe we are in the midnight hour of the Last Days. When we think of “Soon,” we realize that with God, “soon” can seem like an eternity to man, but the “soon” I sense is likely “soon” with God and man.

We have a mission and a commission as revealed in Mark 16:15-20.   All of us are witnesses, and some are called to be watchmen.   Some watchmen are local, regional, national, and worldwide. The assignment and appointment are not self-determined; it is a call of God.  The watchmen are accountable for speaking and for silence. But all are witnesses All.  

In Ezekiel 34, God’s anger toward false shepherds is exemplified.   Why the anger toward self-serving shepherds?  It is because they are assigned the responsibility of discipling, equipping, and nurturing the sheep.  It is because they are to lead the sheep to the places of nourishment and protection.  Sheep have to have shepherds to survive and thrive.   What shepherds tend to forget is that they, too, are sheep.

The commission is to take the gospel (good news) to Everyone!  The signs that follow are not simply signs that follow preaching.    It is, “and these signs will accompany those who believe…”    WHO?  Believers!   Let me ask a harsh and challenging question: “What if there are no signs following us?”

The signs listed are casting out demons, speaking with new tongues (how do we talk and think), unharmed by serpents (natural or spiritual), and poison (natural or spiritual) will harm them.

Are Signs Following Our Lives?   If not, why not?   Do we believe?   Is our belief theoretical or experiential and literally filled with expectation?   Don’t tell me we don’t need signs and miracles anymore.   When did Jesus change? (Hebrews 13:8)

If we are in the Last Days, then more than ever, we need Signs to Follow us so that we can manifest Jesus and win the lost!   This life is not about us! Our purpose is not us! We have an assignment – The Good News!

LORD, help us to feel the urgency of the hour!