SIGNS OF THE END TIMES
We live in a crazy, mixed-up world. Our culture is rapidly moving further and further from the truth of God’s Word. Persecution is increasing. Many people are living in fear and anxiety. But these things shouldn’t surprise us. From the beginning, God has been saying this would happen. Throughout the Bible God promises a future end to the earth, sin and evil. There will be a time of peace and joy unlike any we have ever known. Whatever your view of Bible prophecy, it is clear that Jesus will return and set things right, one way or another. When will you come? Jesus says we can’t know. Yet we are obviously closer today than we were yesterday. Jesus tells us to be diligent, ready and watchful. While He didn’t give us a timeline, He did give us some signs of the end times that we should be aware of so that what is happening in the world today doesn’t take us by surprise.
HEARTS BECOME COLD. There will be a great moral and spiritual decline in which people become indifferent to God and each other (Matthew 24:12). There will be a lack of love and compassion along with an increase in evil and sin. All around us we see pride, selfishness, apathy and greed. People don’t care about others, just themselves and their desires. They put their own needs and interests first and use others for their own desires. Social media distances people from each other in ways that matter most in personal and emotional one-on-one connection. Relationships are virtual and contact is just surface without depth. At the same time crime, violence and discrimination are growing. Conflict and disunity are everywhere.
WORLDWIDE DECEPTION. Paul tells us one sign the end is near will be a “great delusion,” a massive deception across the population. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 warns of a time when “the lawless one” will come with “all power, signs, and lying wonders” to deceive those who refuse to love the truth. We see that happening as political leaders and even church leaders manipulate and exploit people for their own personal gain. They say anything to get a following, then exploit peoples’ insecurities and needs for their own purposes. We are deceived into thinking that sin is OK, evil is good and hate is to be celebrated. These take away freedom and put people into bondage. 1 Thessalonians 2 mentions how those deceived didn’t love the truth, including believing it brings us life even when it brings conflict and death.
WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS. Jesus Himself said this will be a major sign of the nearness of His return (Matthw 24:6-8). There are certainly many wars going on today in the Mideast, Ukraine, Afri9ca, etc. There are threats of wars in Korea, China, Pakistan and other places. The news is always full of conflicts and uprisings. Then there are terrorist groups, drug cartels and others bringing violence into every corner of the world. The sad truth is that it will continue to get worse.
NATURAL DISASTERS. Jesus warned His followers about “famines, earthquakes, and pestilences” as signs that the end is near (Matthew 24:7). There seem to be more natural disasters happening now that when I was younger. Natural disasters are more and more common. Statistics bear out the rise in hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, floods, earthquakes, forest fires and other catastrophes. In addition to storms and earthquakes, the emergence of new infectious diseases and the resurgence of old ones contribute to the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy regarding pestilences. The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus, is a stark reminder of the global impact of infectious diseases and their potential to disrupt societies and economies on a massive scale.
PERSECUTION OF GOD’S PEOPLE. In Matthew 24:9, Jesus warns his disciples, “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.” Almost twice as many Christians have been martyred over the past century than the previous 1900 years combined. Add to that the sharp rise in antisemitism. It has been growing rapidly in the USA and Great Britain. Terrorist organizations like ISIS have systematically targeted Jewish as well as Christian communities, carrying out attacks on churches, kidnapping believers, and forcibly displacing entire populations.
FALSE PROPHETS. Matthew 24:24 says, “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” There have always been cults and false religions, but as the world turns from Christianity there are many more counterfeits ready to fill the void. One modern example of false prophets can be seen in certain charismatic leaders or self-proclaimed spiritual gurus who peddle the prosperity gospel or new age philosophies. These individuals often promise material wealth, health, and success in exchange for financial donations or adherence to their teachings. However, their messages often lack biblical truth and promote self-centeredness, greed, and spiritual delusion. Social media can be used to lure in needy and unsuspecting people and trap them in error.
FALSE MESSIAHS. Even worse than those who claim to speak in God’s name are those who claim to be God themselves. “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24). While false prophets teach a wrong doctrine, a false Christ calls others to worship them as if they were a messianic figure—which, of course, includes much bad teaching. They promise salvation and much more to any who will follow them. When man turns from the truth he is open to lies which promise to fill the vacuum in his heart.
One recent example is David Koresh of the Branch Davidians. Koresh claimed to be the final prophet and the Lamb of God. Ultimately, his cult ran into a deadly conflict with federal authorities. Another false Christ is Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda of Grace International Ministry. He claimed to be reincarnated Jesus Christ but received widespread criticism and condemnation from Christian leaders and organizations.
GOSPEL PREACHED WORLDWIDE. It’s not just all bad news as we look at the signs of Jesus’ return though, the good news is that the Good News will spread to all geographical locations and people groups. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).” Advances in technology, communications, and transportation have facilitated the global distribution of the Gospel, enabling believers to reach remote and unreached areas with the message of salvation.
In Matthew 24 Jesus calls these signs “birth pangs.” Like a woman in labor, the contractions are painful and increase in intensity while the period between shortens. We will always see some manifestation of these aspects. However, are they becoming more prevalent and more intense? One of the most clear signs is the persecution of Christians, which is getting worse each year.
When Jesus returns, we know how the story ends. We win! So, no matter how bad things look around us, keep looking up for one day soon Jesus will return in victory to remove sin and Satan and rule forever. That is our sure and confident assurance.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
How does the bad news from the world around you affect you? Are your worried or hopeful?
Which of the signs mentioned stand out to you as especially significant?
What should our attitude as Christians be to the hard times facing the world today?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India & Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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