Perplexity is "trouble or confusion resulting from complexity ". If you have been reading this site in the past, you have been exposed to my crusade for moderation and simplicity: SIMPLIFY! As my wife and I were inquiring of THE LORD recently, we were given the following passage spoken by Jesus:
Luke 21:21-26
21 "Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.
22 "For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23 "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.
24 "And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
26 "men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
This passage focuses on the pre-conditions to the arrival of "THE SON OF MAN", CHRIST found in the next verses:
27 "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."
Our Heavenly Father had us focus on verse 25, specifically the word "perplexity". The "confusion resulting from complexity" clearly describes the state of the global economy today. We are in the midst of a great perplexity. World leaders are attempting to sort out this global mess of financial instruments of mass destruction. The greed inherent in the system over the last 3 decades has created a bubble of epic proportions. Our Heavenly Father issued this passage as a warning of the times.
In the Stock Market Crash of the 1930’s, men jumped out of windows to their death. Now as men see their entire life savings evaporate in the stock market and hedge funds, we can expect to see failing hearts from fear and from the expectation of things to come. We are told these things so that we can prepare. How can we tap into the wisdom from above? By following His instructions.
We were then told to proceed to the book of Titus, specifically the following passage:
Titus 2:10-3:3
10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
3:1 REMIND them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,
2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
Verse 13 ties us back to Luke 21. We are warned to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. Instead, we should live soberly (in moderation), righteously, and godly that He might redeem us for "His own special people".