This sign is probably the best indicator of the end times. Why? Think about the words Jesus uses when answering the question about the end times to his disciples. He flat out says that, "...then shall the end come" immediately following His statement about the gospel being preached in "ALL" the world to "ALL" the nations.
Jesus specifically told them that the end would not come until the gospel was preached to ALL the world and to ALL nations. Some anti-rapture/tribulation theologists like to believe that Jesus was talking about the gospel that was delivered by the original disciples and apostles before the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. The reason I do not believe this is true is because Jesus said over and over that God did not wish that ANY should perish. I do not believe our God would limit the Good News being made available only to those nations surrounding the Mediterranean where the disciples and apostles preached before 70 AD.
I believe Jesus meant EXACTLY what He said that the end would not come until EVERY nation in ALL the world had heard the gospel. Until modern times this was not even possible. Before the advent of ships capable of crossing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, it was not possible for disciples or missionaries to reach ALL of the world in order to preach the gospel to ALL nations. Until recently, some remote tribes in South America had not even been discovered. Finally, until the advent of modern computers, it was not possible to translate the Bible in to every language of the world. This is happening NOW. With modern technology like computers, satellite, wireless Internet, etc. the Good News is being preached in every nation throughout ALL the world, just like Jesus promised.
There is another verse that speaks of witnesses from ALL nations in Revelation 5:9: "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of EVERY kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;"
The book of Revelation was written by the disciple John who was instructed by God to write down, Rev 1:1: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass;"
For there to be witnesses in heaven who have been "redeemed...out of EVERY kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" then the gospel would have to have REACHED every kindred, tongue, people and nation. THIS IS HAPPENING NOW! For recent news stories about the Bible being translated and preached in various remote languages, please click on the link at the top, left of the page.
