The Signs

Overview: Great earthquakes in various places

Jesus predicted that prior to his return, there would be an increase of large earthquakes worldwide.  His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?"  (Matthew 24:3) “…There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world." (Matt 24:7) “There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands.”  (Luke 21:11) “…There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world”  (Mark 13:8).

Evidence: Great earthquakes in various places

While earthquakes have been a part of our human history since the dawn of time, large earthquakes have been increasing in frequency and ferocity in recent decades.  The US Geological service and other scientific earthquake authorities have shown that the number of earthquakes above 6.0 on the richter scale have grown exponentially over the last 10 years.  The overall frequency of annual earthquakes has grown by five times since 1970.   There have been more earthquakes above 6.5 on the richter scale in the last 10 years, than the previous 80 years put together. Click here for the evidence.

Overview: Wars & the threat of war

Jesus predicted that prior to his return, wars & rumors of wars would be the headline of the day.  His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?" (Matthew 24:3) “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” (Luke 21:10; see also Mark 13:8) “And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately.”  (Matt 24:7)

Evidence: Wars & the threat of war

War has been a sad companion of mankind for ages.  However, the 20^th century showed that the capacity for wholesale slaughter related to warfare was taken to a new extreme.  Over 200 million people were killed in the previous century due to war.  Jesus not only spoke of wars but the “threat of war”.  Besides the “cold war” with the Soviet Union threatening the peace of the world, we find regional conflicts in the middle east, the war on terror, and rogue states as a persistent threat to global security.  Unfortunately, genocides are also on the increase with the awful realities of the Holocaust and regional purges of entire populations in Rwanda, Sudan, and Serbia killing millions. Click here for the evidence.

Overview: Famines & Diseases abound

Jesus predicted that prior to his return, famines and disease would emerge to threaten our world.  His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?  (Matthew 24:3) “… there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven."  (Luke 21:10; see also Matt 24:7, Mark 13:8)

Evidence: Famines & Diseases abound

Famine is not something we are accustomed to in America. However, one person out of seven in the world is constantly hungry in the 21st century and over 70 million died of starvation in the 20th century. Population projections estimate a total of 9.2 billion people worldwide by 2050 while the food supply and land to produce those resources are not increasing. Beyond food shortages, Jesus spoke about diseases breaking out near and far. In recent decades, several diseases never known to man such as HIV/AIDS, Avian flu, H1N1, Ebola, etc. have rapidly devastated and perplexed our society. Some projections in Africa show that roughly half of the population now has contracted HIV/AIDS.  Clearly these two factors are on the increase. Click here for the evidence.

Overview: False Christs & False Prophets would appear

Jesus predicted that prior to his return many false christs and false religions would emerge.  His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?"  (Matthew 24:3) “and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”(Matt 24:11) “Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many… For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible.”(Mark 13:6, 21)

Evidence: False Christs & False Prophets would appear

In the previous 30 years, a stark increase of people have emerged identifying themselves to the masses as the divine.   While not always reported in the news for their claims,  some have made tragic headlines through the mass-suicide deaths of their followers in Waco, Jonestown, and Heavensgate.   Jesus also predicted that “false prophets” would lead many astray.  A literal translation of this word in Greek refers to false religion.  Our society has witnessed a rapid rise of new age mysticism, cults, and various new forms of religion that have sprung up exponentially since the social revolution began in the 1960s.  Click here for the evidence.

Overview: Increases in Knowledge & Travel

The book of Daniel gives a very specific outline of the end times.  In summary, all of the events are said to be for a future time marked by a startling increase of knowledge & travel  "But you, Daniel, keep these words secret, and seal the book until the end times.   Many will travel everywhere, and knowledge will grow."  (Daniel 12: 4 GWT)

Evidence: Increases in Knowledge & Travel

The book of Daniel gives one of the most detailed accounts of the last days for the nation of Israel.   An angel tells Daniel that the events which describe the end times are not for his day.  They refer rather to a time in the future when travel and knowledge would increase exponentially.  Since the dawn of time, mankind traveled by foot, horse, or sail.  Only until the previous century did mankind utilize planes, trains, and automobiles.  There are currently over 5000 airplanes in the skies at any given point of time in the day.  Through the Internet, knowledge and our means of communication has skyrocketed.  Prior to the 1970s, a computer fit into a room, but today, an iphone can fit in the palm of your hand.  We are a generation marked by incredible increases of knowledge and travel. Click here for the evidence.

Overview: Israel reborn as a nation & Mid-East conflict

Israel would be re-established as a nation.  This event would initiate growing unrest in the middle east, and present a stage for final apocalyptic events to begin.  “I, the Sovereign Lord, will gather you back from the nations where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel once again.” (Eze.11:17)  (Also see: Jer.29:14, Jer.31:10, 32:34-41, Neh.1:9, Psa.107:3, Isa.43:5, Eze.34:12-31. 37:21, Mic.2:12) “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: The good figs represent the exiles I sent from Judah to the land of the Babylonians.” (Jer 24:5) “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.  Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it [my return] is near, right at the door."  (Matthew 24:32 – 34)

Evidence: Israel reborn as a nation & Mid-East conflict

Israel under Roman rule was obliterated by Titus in A.D. 70.  No other nation in history has been destroyed only to re-emerge 2000 years later.  For centuries, scholars struggled with the fact that that the end times refers to Israel existing.  Perhaps the greatest sign that we are living in the end times is the rebirth of Israel.  This prompts unrest in the Middle East and a series of events culminating in the return of Jesus Christ.  Incidentally, since Israel has returned as a nation, all of the signs above have increased.   Click here for the evidence.