What are the Signs of the End Times?

Just as there are signs of the seasons, there will be signs to indicate that the end of this age is near. The signs are intended to warn people and encourage them to turn back to God before it is too late. Even people who don’t follow after God will sense that something is coming.

Signs of the Season

³²“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. ³³Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. (Matthew 24: 32-33)

Wars & Uprisings

⁹When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” ¹⁰Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. (Luke 21: 9-10)

During the end times, there will be a significant increase of wars and uprisings. The 2nd Seal describes a rider on a red horse that can take peace from the earth and has the power to make people to kill each other (Revelation 6: 3-4). The 6th Trumpet includes a war that kills a third of mankind (Revelation 9: 13-21). There will continue to be wars and uprisings until the end (Daniel 9: 26) (Daniel 11: 21-45).

Catastrophic Events

¹¹There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. (Luke 21: 11)

As the end of this age nears there will be an increase in natural catastrophic events. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences. There will be an increase in terrifying natural events. There will be great signs from heaven.

Celestial Signs & Ocean Signs

²⁵“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. ²⁶People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. (Luke 21: 25-26)

There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars that the end times are very near. For example: the four blood moon tetrad that falls on major Jewish holidays (Joel 2: 31) ; a reduction in sunlight or starlight reaching the earth’s surface (Revelation 8: 12); or an increase in solar flares (Revelation 16: 8). The nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea (e.g. an increase in destructive tsunamis).

False Messiahs & False Prophets

²³At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. ²⁴For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (Matthew 24: 23-24)

There will be false messiahs and false prophets who will deceive many people. They will claim to come in the name of Jesus Christ – or even claim to be Jesus Christ. Do not be deceived. When the real Jesus Christ returns, it will be with power and glory – and there will be zero doubt as to who he is.

Jerusalem Surrounded by Armies

²⁰“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. ²¹Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. ²²For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. (Luke 21: 20-22)

Just before the Great Tribulation begins, Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies. Matthew 24 warns those in Judea to flee to the mountains when animal sacrifice is ended and the “abomination that causes desolation” is set up at the Temple. It also states that this will mark the beginning of a time of distress such as the world has never seen nor will ever see again.

Celestial Signs of Jesus’ Return

²⁹“Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ ³⁰“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. (Matthew 24: 29-30)

Immediately after the distress of those days (the Great Tribulation and the outpouring of God’s wrath), there will be unmistakable signs that Jesus Christ has arrived. The sun, the moon, the stars, and the heavenly bodies will be significantly impacted. All the people of the earth will mourn when they see Jesus Christ arrive on the clouds with power and great glory. They will all know who he is and there will be no doubt.

At the end of the end times, “the heavenly bodies will be shaken” and people will be terrified about what is coming onto the world. Stars will fall from the sky like a fig tree that is shaken (Revelation 6: 13) and the heavens will roll up like a scroll (Isaiah 34: 4) (Revelation 6: 14). The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon will turn red as blood (not simply a solar/lunar eclipse) (Matthew 24: 29) (Acts 2: 20) (Revelation 6: 12).

Additional Signs

The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, ²who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. ³Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. (Revelation 1: 1-3)

The end of this age began when Jesus Christ came to pay the sin debt of the world. This age ends when Jesus Christ returns to establish God’s kingdom. There are certain events that have been prophesized which confirm that Jesus’ return is very near. We are expected to pay attention and recognize the signs of the end times.

The Holy Bible contains a multitude of prophesies about the end of this age. It provides some very specific information about events leading up to the end times. Up until now, most of those scriptures have been mysterious but because we are truly near the ending of the age, the meanings of those scriptures are being revealed.

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