THE SIGNS

Jesus is coming back! His disciples asked, "When will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" He answered, "Of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." Fortunately, Jesus did not leave us in the dark. Instead, He gave us signs that will precede His coming. Let us examine Jesus' words.

The deception of believers. Jesus warned us in Matthew 24, "For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ’, and will mislead many… Many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many." "True enough, over the past centuries there have been a lot who claimed they are the Christ. These are false prophets; these are misleading messiahs who have established their religious cults and seduced many people into blindly following them. Satan deceives people into following false teachers, who give false hope in a false gospel. Their teachings go against what the Bible teaches. Because of deception, there will be lawlessness. Jesus said that since "lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold." (Matthew 24:12) Today, sin is more rampant than ever before. People do what they want without regard to what the Bible teaches about morality. The church is called to stand firm in faith against all these falsehoods. The Holy Spirit enables us to do this as we study the Bible and continue to hold fast to its timeless truths. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." (Luke 21:33)

The destruction of mankind. Matthew 24:6 talks about massive destruction. "And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end." Historians agree that the 20th century alone has experienced the most wars, rebellions, and revolutions in the history of mankind. The Red Cross estimated that over 100 million people have been killed in the past century, more than all the other centuries put together. Just think of the Holocaust. There are weapons of mass destruction that have been developed that can annihilate the earth instantly. Jesus said, "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes." (Matthew 24:7) There is starvation in Africa, Ethiopia and Sudan, just to name a few. Earthquakes also increase in frequency and magnitude. There are pandemics, sweeping around the world. But these things are not the end. They are just signs signaling that the end is drawing near.

Christians around the world are being persecuted. Our brethren are being imprisoned, tortured, and killed because of their faith. The Persecuted Church reports that there are more Christians killed in the last 25 years than all the 2000 years put together. Can you imagine that? That’s exactly what’s happening today!

In Revelation 9:16, the apostle John saw a vision of a huge army rising against Israel. During the time the book of Revelation was written, a 200 million army would have been unimaginable, but not today. Russia, talked about in Ezekiel 38, is in our times becoming a world superpower. It seems that the stage is being set for the fulfillment of the Armageddon prophecy.

Revelation 13:16-17 tells us of the rise of "the beast." The Bible says, "He causes all...to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name." Even now, the technology to make this possible is already being developed. Something called the "biochip" can be implanted into one's hand, and it can carry all the information about that person. Friends, in light of all these prophecies coming true around us, we must stay focused with faith against fear. Jesus has already foretold all of these events for us. He says these are just but the beginning of the birth pangs. You and I need to keep our eye on the Author and Perfecter of our faith. He has control of all things, and He has overcome the world and death.

Declaration of the Gospel. Matthew 24:14 promises, "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come." This is the good news happening right now. Over the past centuries there have been evangelistic crusades in foreign lands. Thousands have heard the Word of God. There are revivals in Russia, South America, Africa, and China today. These countries once restricted Christianity from being taught to their people. Today some of these countries even allow the Bible to be taught in schools. The Bible has been translated into thousands of languages. Today, Christian media, short wave radio, TV satellites, and internet ministries are being used to reach the remote parts of the world. You and I must continue sharing the Gospel to as many people as the Lord leads us. The Bible says there will be an increase in knowledge in the end times (Daniel 12:4). Today, this has come true, but not just in fields of science and technology! Revelation 11:3, 7-12 even predicted instant communication around the world. In light of this, we must spread the faith with fervor, seeking to bring more people to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus as His return comes nearer each day. Trust that Jesus wants us to be with Him today and forever.

Is there sin in your life that you need to stop? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Do you know friends who are still lost and living their lives towards a dead end? Give them the opportunity to make a UTurn to God by sharing the Gospel with them. Let us continue to yield to the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives. Ephesians 5:15-16 admonishes us, "Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil." My friend, if you do not have Jesus in your life right now, know that He is knocking on the door of your heart. Let Him in. He has a great plan for your life. You will never be the same again the moment you make Him your Savior and Lord. Go ahead. Talk to Jesus now. He is listening.