Agreeing on the Signs of the End Times

Understand the Truth About the End Times   

How is the world going to end? Can anyone predict when it will happen? How bad will things get before Jesus comes back? Read Billy Graham’s short answers to each of these questions and others.

Q: How is the world going to end?

A: What will the end be like? For one thing, it will be sudden and unexpected—and most people will be unprepared. Just as in the days of Noah’s flood, a catastrophe will suddenly overtake the earth—and then it will be too late to turn to God. The Bible also hints at total, fiery destruction. “The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything … in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:10). Does that mean we’ll never experience wars, plagues, or natural disasters that look like they might bring life to an end (just as they have in the past)? It’s certainly possible; God hasn’t promised to deliver us from such tragedies. But they aren’t the end, and even in the midst of these we can trust God’s promise to be with us. Jesus said, “Such things must happen, but the end is still to come” (Matthew 24:6).

Q: Could this prediction of Christ’s return be right?

A: The Bible clearly warns us against making precise predictions about Jesus’ return. Jesus declared, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). If God has concealed it from the angels and His Son, why would He reveal it to a mere person? At the same time, the Bible does tell us two very important truths about Christ’s second coming. First, it tells us that He will return! Repeatedly, the Bible tells us that God’s plan for this world is not finished, and some day Christ will come again to complete that plan. And unlike His first coming, His return will be glorious and recognized by the whole world: “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him” (Revelation 1:7). The second truth the Bible tells us is that He could come at any moment – and the signs warning of His coming become more and more obvious every day. Once He comes, it will be too late to commit ourselves to Him and work for Him; now is the time to believe in Him and follow Him. Jesus said, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me”. (John 9:4).   

Q: How bad is the world going to get before God finally steps in and Jesus comes back?

A: The Bible warns us against making precise predictions about the exact time of Jesus’ return—but His return is certain, and we may well be living in the last days before He comes again. The Bible says, “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here” (Romans 13:12). Shortly before returning to Heaven Jesus told His disciples that someday He would come back to establish His Kingdom. But before that could take place, He said, certain things would have to happen—and we see many of these today. For example, He said that before His return the Gospel must be preached throughout the world (see Mark 13:10). Never before has this been possible—but now it is, through radio and the Internet and other modern means of communication. You also have placed your finger on another sign Jesus gave: Satan’s final attempt to halt God’s work through a massive onslaught of evil. Our world is no stranger to evil; Satan has always been working to stop God’s plans. But God’s enemies now have access to modern weapons of mass destruction, and no one can predict what the outcome will be. Jesus said, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. … Nation will rise against nation” (Matthew 24:6-7).

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4 Signs of the End Times - by David Jeremiah

The Rapture is the next event on the prophetic calendar. Casting their shadows before them, the following signs indicate that the End Times are near.

1. The Sign of Deception

Many people are going to claim to be the Messiah and claim to have the answers for a troubled world. Jesus says to “take heed”—literally, to keep our eyes open so we are not fooled. In the End Times, people will be crying desperately for leaders to deliver them, and they will seek mystics and religious leaders who claim to have deeper knowledge.

2. The Sign of Disputes Among Nations

As wars and dissension among groups of people escalate, we know it signals Christ’s return. The book of Revelation tells us that the Tribulation period is filled with war—ceaseless, unending, terrible war— that will escalate until the entire world is involved. Fifty percent of all research scientists today are involved in arms development. Despite all the arms limitations treaties, there is at least one military weapon and four thousand pounds of explosives for every man, woman, and child on earth. The Bible says that as we move toward the End Times, there will be constant talk of conflicts, border skirmishes, race wars, and national battles.

3. The Sign of Devastation

Today, as you read this, millions of people in the world are going hungry—even though God has blessed us with a fruitful, abundant planet. As we get closer to the End Times, there will be more and more famine. There will also be earthquakes, something that science has said will happen. Christ also spoke of pestilence: the spread of new diseases. Our world is experiencing a spate of tragic new diseases that we are unable to control.

4. The Sign of Deliverance Into the Tribulation

Just before Jesus returns, there will be an explosion of antagonism toward God’s people. Christians will be persecuted. I think we are already seeing it. The media holds most fringe groups in high regard, but it seems to attack conservative Christians every chance it gets. Many are going to pay a high price for living out their faith in our world. 

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END OF THE WORLD: Natural disasters are signs ‘of the APOCALYPSE’

Several dramatic events have occurred all over the globe recently and some are now saying it is a sign of the end times. Christian conspiracy theorists point to record breaking heatwaves in Europe and America. They also cited devastating earthquakes, which have killed hundreds in places including Indonesia.

Wildfires have raged across the west coast of the United State and all of this is against a backdrop of political tension which could lead to World War 3. As a result, some self-proclaimed experts are claiming that these could be leading to the end.

One author, Michael Snyder, who describes himself as “one of those Christians that actually believes the Bible”, said that Earth changes are accelerating and before long it will be too late. Mr Snyder, whose book titles include ‘Living a Life That Really Matters’ and ‘The Beginning of The End’, wrote on his blog The Economic Collapse:

“Yes, the amount of carbon dioxide in the air is increasing, and it has been increasing for a very long time. Scientists assure us that our planet once had much, much higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in the air then we do today, and our planet appeared to have thrived under those conditions. But the narrative won’t change. The mainstream media will continue to tell us that the Earth changes that we are witnessing are due to global warming and that if we reverse course that we can go back to how things were before. No, we can’t go back, because the changes that are happening are way outside of our control. Fundamental changes are happening to our planet, and this is just the beginning. For now these Earth changes are a minor nuisance to a lot of people, but pretty soon nobody will be able to ignore them.”

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According to JW.org, the Jehovah Witnesses proclaim ... 

The Bible describes events and conditions that would mark “the conclusion of the [current] system of things,” or “the end of the world.” (Matthew 24:3; KJV) The Bible calls this time period “the last days” and the “time of the end,” or “end times.” (2 Timothy 3:1; Daniel 8:​19) The following are some outstanding features of last-days, or end-times, prophecies:

War on a large scale ​— Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:4.

Famine. — Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:​5, 6.

Great earthquakes. — Luke 21:11.

Pestilences, or epidemics of “terrible diseases.”​ — Luke 21:11, Contemporary English Version

Increase of crime — Matthew 24:12.

Ruining of the earth by mankind — Revelation 11:18.

Deterioration of people’s attitudes, as shown by many who are “unthankful, disloyal . . . not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride.” ​— 2 Timothy 3:​1-4.

Breakdown of the family, with people who have “no natural affection” and children who are “disobedient to parents.” ​— 2 Timothy 3:​2, 3.

Love of God growing cold in most people ​— Matthew 24:12.

Noteworthy displays of religious hypocrisy — 2 Timothy 3:5.

Increased understanding of Bible prophecies, including those related to the last days ​— Daniel 12:4.

Global preaching of the good news of the Kingdom — Matthew 24:14.

Widespread apathy and even ridicule toward the evidence of the approaching end ​— Matthew 24:37-​39; 2 Peter 3:​3, 4.

The simultaneous fulfillment of all these prophecies, not just a few or even most of them — Matthew 24:33.

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While many religious organizations believe in an "End Times" scenario, these are but a few references that have been highlighted above. The majority of Christians believe Jesus is set to return and commence with the final battle at any time. 

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." -- Luke 21:28 (KJV)