Why do I feel like I am living in the time of Matthew 10:16?

[debrakay]

Matthew 10:16 (NIV)
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

[BK1110]

Because you are. But we've always been in that time. There's been a period in which it wasn't as obvious in America, but now America is becoming more and more like the world has always been as it's forgotten, or willfully rejected, it's Christian roots.

[debrakay]

@BK1110 I guess it's the "writing on the wall" chapter of our lives.  I just want to be wise, shrewd and innocent for the duration.  The wolf pack is out in full force and no longer hiding in the shadows.  

[johnthebaptist]

2 hours ago, debrakay said:

Matthew 10:16 (NIV)
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

We are taught that Satan rules this world (1 John 5:19). (But we are not of this world.)

[Justin Adams]

8 hours ago, johnthebaptist said:

We are taught that Satan rules this world (1 John 5:19).

JOHN 12:31-32  31 “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”
Who is "the ruler of this world” (John 12:31)?
Satan.

What did Jesus call Satan earlier?
"The devil" (John 8:44, see Father Abraham).

So, why does Jesus now call Satan "the ruler of this world"?
This phrase was the well-recognized short form of "the ruler of the darkness of this world," which Judaism used to refer to Satan, with "the darkness" referring to the world outside of Judaism; the Jews believed that Satan rules over the gentiles but not them.

What "world" was Jesus referring to when He said, "Now is the judgment of this world" (John 12:31)?
The entire world, of both gentiles and Jews.

So what was Jesus saying above?
To a crowd of both Jews and gentiles (see the hour has come), Jesus was declaring that the Jews are not immune to Satan's rule over sinners but that He - Jesus - will end Satan's rule and "draw all peoples to Myself" (John 12:32).

How?
As long as people remain guilty of their sins, Satan retains his grip on humanity. When Jesus pays on the cross - "lifted up from the earth" (John 12:32) - the death penalty due for those sins, Satan's grip will be cast off and Christians from "all peoples" will be drawn to Jesus for salvation that is in and through Him.

JOHN 12:33-34  33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die. 34 The people answered Him, “We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?”
What do the people mean by, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever" (John 12:34)?
They are referring to a prophecy given through the prophet Isaiah, "Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this" (Isaiah 9:7).

What does John 12:34 indicate the people to have understood about Jesus' statement in John 12:32?
That being "lift up" meant death.

What two things didn't they know?
That Jesus would rise from the dead, and prophet Daniel's Son of Man reference to Jesus.

JOHN 12:35-36  35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
To what "light" is Jesus referring in John 12:35?
Himself and His teaching: "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it" (John 1:4-5).

Does Jesus answer their question from John 12:34?
Yes, but indirectly. Instead of saying, "It's Me!" He tells them to "walk" while the light is still shining and showing them the way since that would soon change.

Why didn't Jesus give them a direct answer and why did He then depart, being "hidden from them" (John 12:36)?
Much like the crowd that chased after Jesus following His feeding miracle (see Jesus king), this crowd had come to make Him king to lead a revolt against the Romans.

[Selah7]

Well, if you put a sheep in the midst of wolves, the sheep will be destroyed.  ….but, if the Shepherd is right there with that sheep with His rod and staff, He is more than able to protect that sheep. However, some good advice for the sheep would be not to wander too far from the Shepherd.

Psalm 23 

The Lord the Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

 

[missmuffet]

21 hours ago, debrakay said:

Matthew 10:16 (NIV)
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

Because you are living in that time.

[Riverwalker]

21 hours ago, debrakay said:

Matthew 10:16 (NIV)
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

Because we are, but you are not alone...God is with you

[Leonardo Von]

On 7/19/2021 at 4:46 PM, debrakay said:

Why do I feel like I am living in the time of Matthew 10:16?

Matthew 10:16 (NIV)
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."

Certainly everyone who believe in Christ is living this verse. As lambs (or sheep), we are instructed never to fight against the wolves, but find refuge in Christ (Psalm 46:1).

[debrakay]

On 7/20/2021 at 1:12 PM, Leonardo Von said:

Certainly everyone who believe in Christ is living this verse. As lambs (or sheep), we are instructed never to fight against the wolves, but find refuge in Christ (Psalm 46:1).

I do believe it is a time where Jesus is telling many of his followers to be out amongst the wolves in order to witness to the lost he wishes to save. But in this day and age of censorship we have to be shrewd in how we do this. We need to be innocent of anything Jesus would not approve of yet still speak his words of love, repentance and salvation. We need to work in the harvest under the new covenant to reap the harvest he is preparing. There will be no fighting with the wolves but I can quietly sneak passed them to save the one lost sheep for my Lord and savior!