As stated in our Mission Statement we believe that we are living in the "end times". (Matthew 24:36) states "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only". We would like to share just a few signs, but please study for yourself the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and Revelations where the prophecy of world events at the end of time are described, to learn more. There are also hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament as well.
In 1 John 2:27 Paul explains that the Holy Spirit lives in believers, and that the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the study of scripture, so that we may know the signs and the season of our Lord's return. We feel that we are definitely living in the season of end times because God gave believers so many signs to watch for. Just as God gave signs and warnings to Noah before He destroyed the world by flood, He has given us signs to let us know of his soon return.
Churches and people in the end times will scoff at the signs as described in
2 Peter 3:3-4. This scripture tells us that just before the Second Coming, there will be scoffers who ask "Where is the promise of His coming?", The signs are everywhere! The scoffing going on in the world today is an example of end-time prophecy coming true! Scoffers include Christians as well as non-believers. Most of the time when witnessing to others about the prophecies concerning the end times you will hear "But there have always been wars and rumors of war", etc.
We are told in Matthew 24:7 "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famines and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places". People will usually argue "We have always had these things". Matthew 24:8 says "All these are the beginning of sorrows". Note the words "the beginning", in other words, this is like a woman in labor: as the birth gets closer, the pains comes faster and faster. All through the Bible we see God working through nature: the great flood, and the earthquake and darkness when Jesus died on the cross are just two examples. Earthquakes, wars, floods, and natural disasters are occurring with greater frequency in this century than in any other.
Jesus told us in Matthew 24:12 that as the time for his return draws nearer "iniquity shall abound", and in verses 37-39 that the world would be just as it was in the time of Noah when people continued without notice of signs and warnings up until the time Noah went into the ark, and the flood took them away. He said that "so shall also the coming of the Son of man be". Romans 1:29-31 describes how depraved, wicked, immoral, malicious, etc., society will become just before His return. These verses certainly apply to our society, where we are becoming more and more disrespectful of everything that is right and good. There is an ever growing sense of despair about our violent world, and an increasing drift away from Christianity. Violence is completely out of control, and people are turning away from Christianity for cult thinking such as Satanism, and the New Age Movement. Christianity is more and more often termed "intolerant, and bigoted".
Just before the end of time we will see the gospel preached throughout the entire world as described in Matthew 24. That is happening now in many ways. The advent of computerization has given us the opportunity to translate the Bible into every language in the world. Billy Graham Crusades and others are televised by satellite to every country in the world. These things make it possible for everyone to study and learn of God, and have the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
In Matthew 24:24 we are warned to watch for false Christs and false prophets, who will deceive many. There are cults that proclaim that God is really man, or that man can become equal to God. These cults abound now more than ever before and they are growing larger and stronger daily. Another thing that has occurred in our lifetime which was prophesied in both Daniel and Revelations is the formation of a European confederation. This has already occurred and sets the stage for the appearance of the Anti-Christ (Daniel 7:8-10) and his kingdom. This confederation is commonly known to us as the EU or European Union, and they are currently looking for a president!
Matthew 24-9 warns that Christians will be afflicted, hated and killed. Christians are criticized and characterized as intolerant and scorned openly in every type of media. Christians and missionaries are kidnapped, imprisoned, and killed all over the world in greater frequency.
There are many signs to watch for in regards to Israel. Chapter 11 of Isaiah predicts that in the end times the Jewish people will be gathered together from the four corners of the earth, and that the state of Israel will be re-established. This has already come true. Israel was re-established in 1948. Jesus gave us a parable of the fig tree re-blooming in Matthew 24:32-35, which refers to Israel being reborn. Jesus said that when this happened he would be at the gates of Heaven, ready to return, and that the generation who sees this happen will not pass away until all of these things pass. The Jews are back in Jerusalem, and Israel is re-established with a very strong army. All eyes are on Israel and the Middle East. As this is written we are at war with Iraq. The Bible tells us that in the end times, the nations around Israel will covet the land and try to take it from them. All of these things have happened and are happening in our lifetime.
There are many other signs which we have not touched upon here, but the signs are everywhere. If you will take the time to study the prophecies of the books which are named in the first paragraph above, you will learn of more signs that are occurring all around us and they are impossible to ignore.
It is our prayer that if you have not already accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior that you will soon do so! Ask Him into your heart and to forgive you of your sins. Please study your Bible and learn what it has to say about His glorious return and the eternity that we have in store for us and you will find that you yearn for his soon return! All believers can look forward to an eternity with our Lord in Heaven. What a glorious blessing awaits us! God bless you all and grant us all the wisdom we need to learn and understand the prophecies of the Bible!
