Christ criticized the Pharisees for not being able to "discern the time" they lived in. He admonishes us to discern the times, too, so we are not taken by surprise by prophetic events to occur. We live in a rapidly changing world on all fronts--political, economic, moral, and spiritual. In order to be able to "discern the times" we live in we must understand the Bible and certain key components of it. This sermon will discuss one of those key components we must understand, from the Biblical perspective, so we won't be taken by surprise by things that may "shortly come to pass."

Rick Shabi

President, United Church of God

Rick Shabi was ordained an elder in 2000, and relocated to northern Florida in 2004. He attended Ambassador College and graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Business, with a major in Accounting. After enjoying a rewarding career in corporate and local hospital finance and administration, he became a pastor in January 2011. Since then, he and his wife Deborah have served in the Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida, churches. Rick served as the Treasurer for the United Church of God from 2013–2022, and was named President in May 2022.