The Sign of the Prophet (Winter Storm) Jonas!!
A standout headline, including in Australian news is the winter storm threatening large parts of the United States, including the North East. The final path of the storm may still be somewhat uncertain, although even the nation’s capital Washington may be faced with record breaking snow.
The details of the storm will be well known to those facing an emergency in the parts of the US affected. What is particularly interesting is the name of the storm: JONAS!! I understand that The Weather Channel has named some winter storms in recent years, although the National Weather Service may not endorse this approach.
Nevertheless, what is important is that this Jonas storm has come at a time of darkening economic and spiritual clouds across the world, and a high watch time for the Lord’s Return! So it is very relevant that Jesus warned His generation that the only sign that really counts is His Death and Resurrection - the sign of the Prophet Jonas as recorded in Matthew 12 and Luke 11. The accounts are very similar, but I have presented both below (from the KJV).
In most translations of the Bible Jonah is used in both the New and Old Testaments. In the KJV, however, Jonas is used in Jesus’ teaching. So is this severe winter storm named Jonas one more very strong sign of the Imminence of the Return of Jesus Christ or the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh that will usher in the Rapture!!?? From Wikipedia (see below), the name Jonas means Dove - symbol of Holy Spirit descending on Jesus..
Meaning of name Jonas (from Wikipedia): The Hebrew version of the name means Dove. That is because word 'jonas' comes from the Greek word οιωνός, (pronounced: e-oh-nos) which means "sign", because in ancient Greece believed that birds were sent by gods as a sign to people. From this it is assumed that the name Jonas means a peaceful being.
As a variation of Jonah, can be considered to mean 'accomplishing', and a 'gift from God'. ]\
It is interesting that Noah and John can also be formed from the word Jonah.
Jason is an acronym of Jonas, meaning Healing. We have faced many health challenges in our Church, but we are believing for rivers of Salvation, Healing and Miracles to flow from the Risen Christ through us this year!
Matthew 12: 38 to 42
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But He answered and said unto them, an evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41 The men of Nineveh (near present day Mosul in Iraq) shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
Luke 11: 29-32
And when the people were gathered thick together, He began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.
31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
32 The men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Denis (some Summer rain in Canberra, Australia) Maranatha!!