I have some brief thoughts that I would like to share regarding a bit of theological perspective for my fellow Christians concerning how we ought to perceive the "signs of our times" when things, rightly, concern us in the world around us. If you have been following any of the major social, cultural, and political issues going on in the world lately - say just even in the last 6 months - that have been tracked and commented upon by Christian organizations like The Gospel Coalition (who do a great job for the most part in addressing issues, tough or not, head-on), or other groups and churches that engage in discussion on modern issues from a Christian perspective in any form of media; and if you look at the number of those issues that were major controversies, scandals, debacles, moral quandaries, and other public issues which concerned you, tell me then if you don't think this verse describes accurately what God does with all the world's affairs as the clock ticks down ever closer to the moment of Jesus' return:

"See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." The words 'once more' indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain." (Hebrews 12:24-29)

Then ask yourself if God does not have everything that goes on in history very well planned out, and consider if anything thwarts His plan or surprises Him. Can we then begin to see the shaking, and even tribulation, as good? As a process by which all things which can be shaken are shaken to pieces so that only the glorious eternal remains? When what is done in darkness is exposed to light? When the gloves come off? When the darkness becomes darker, and the light becomes brighter?

The more the shaking, the more that the perishable and corruptible will pass away. And even as the Jewish leader Gamaliel correctly observed in Acts 5, concerning how long lasting something that is not of God will endure, he said, "If their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men" (Acts 5:38b-39a). Though the above passage in Hebrews may primarily be speaking to the church who hears "him who speaks", and seems to allude to the future time of the new heavens and new earth, it is also true that God will shake all things and judge all things, based upon the foundation that mankind builds upon (Matthew 7:24-27). And though judgment begins in the house of God, it certainly does not end there (1 Peter 4:17).

And finally, just for fun, perhaps also listen to this Petra song and just reflect on the lyrics, while standing in amazement of God's sovereignty:

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5trdhB8Tnw

Soli Deo Gloria!