Biblical Signs of the End of the World and Christ’s Return

What biblical signs preceed the return of Jesus Christ? What does Jesus, Peter, Paul, Daniel, and John say are indicators of Jesus' imminent return?

Jesus Christ

When Jesus Christ’s disciples asked Him about His return and the “end of the world” their focus was not on the physical end of the earth and its civilization per se. They had in mind the end of the age of man’s rule (the Greek word translated “world” is aion, meaning “age”) and the commencement of a different age ruled by Jesus Christ as king, a reign identified elsewhere in Scripture as the kingdom of God.

In His reply, Christ described the many and varied conditions that would precede His return. They included such things as deception, wars, famines, disease epidemics, earthquakes and religious persecution, all culminating in an unprecedented time of worldwide calamity. We have already experienced in the disastrous 20th century many harbingers of just such a calamity. But if we are to believe the prophecies of Scripture, there are many worse events yet to come. (Matt. 24: 3-29)

Just before Jesus’ return: “Then He continued by saying, ‘Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. And there shall be signs in the sun and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.’” (Luke 21 v.10-11, 25-26)

The Apostle Paul

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. According to this, a communication gap is not the problem. The cause of increasing immorality is simply an increase in pride and sinfulness; a decrease in desire for true godliness. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

The Apostle Paul accurately predicted, “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Tim. 4:3, 4). It is understood, the “desires” which some will try to “suit” are sinful! Could it be that doctrinal mythology, such as eternal security (or “perseverance of the saints”), is the result of people with “itching ears” turning to “a great number of teachers” who will say what itching ears with sinful desires want to hear?

Without Natural Affection – One of the most basic Judeo Christian principles has been the natural and beautiful attraction between the sexes. The love of a mother and father for their children, the love of the extended family for each other, and the love of one's country were similarly considered “natural.” Today we are living in a depraved Romans chapter one world that many fear God has given or will give up to “vile passions” that reverse the normal order of things. (Romans 1:26-27)

The Apostle Peter

It is fascinating to note that almost 2000 years ago the apostle Peter, an untrained Galilean fisherman, predicted the exact thinking patterns that would characterize these scoffers. He prophesied that … “Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” (2 Peter 3 v.3-7)

Why does Peter say that the scoffers are so blind? He provides us with 2 reasons why: The first is found in 2 Peter 3 v5, “For this they willfully forget.” The unregenerate minds of unbelievers resist the idea of the intervention of God in human affairs. Their problem is spiritual, a matter of the will, and the unbeliever remains deliberately ignorant of the truth. Peter mentions a second reason for the scoffer's intellectual blindness in verse 3. He was told that “the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.”

The Prophet Daniel

“Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly” But Daniel was told that the remaining prophecies are sealed until the last days and that “the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:9)

The Apostle John

The Top 7 Sins of the Tribulation – Rev. 9: 20 lists the top 7 sins of the Tribulation:

  • Rebellion against God (“They did not repent”).
  • Worship of Demons
  • Idolatry
  • Murders
  • Sorceries (“Phar-mak-voos”, from pharmaco for drugs)
  • Sexual Immorality
  • Thefts

Why not accept the Lord as Savior today and cleanse all sin from your life and your entry into heaven is secure. Jesus sacrifice renders you blameless before God in the Great Day of Judgment (Rev. 20:12). You can be in front of two different Judgment Seats. The Beam Seat of Christ, where the saved are given their eternal rewards, and with it, eternal life or at the Great White Throne Judgment, where the only judgment is to be separated from Jesus Christ for eternity. No one know the day Christ will return. The end your chance to be saved can come anytime because no one has any guarantee that they will live beyond tomorrow. Die without Christ and the end is now. Here’s how to make certain you are ready at any time:

HOW TO RECEIVE AND KNOW YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE

Admit – that you are a sinner and in need of a Savior (Romans 6:23)

Abandon – self-effort and realize that you can not be saved by your works or your own efforts (Acts 16:31)

Accept freely Christ’s payment for your sins, required of the Father (John 3:16)

Acknowledge Jesus Christ as your personal lord and Savior (Acts 4:12)

Now you can never be lost again and can live forever (John 10:28-29). As I said, no one has any guarantee that they will live beyond tomorrow and if you die without Christ, for you, the end is now; and for all eternity. Make the decision today, right now. His return has never been closer than it is today. No one knows exactly when He returns but Hebrews 3:7-15 and II Corinthians 6:2 says that, Today is the accepted day of salvation, and now is the day of salvation. Tomorrow may never come. I beg you to come today, while it is still today. 

Originally published on: http://www.associatedcontent.com/jackwellman

2 Comments

  1. JudyEllen said:

    Thank you for this article! I love my Jesus so very much and look forward to his coming!

    June 24, 2011
    Reply
  2. Mohammad said:

    Brothers and sisters, we have already seen lots of signs of the return of Jesus Christ, the son of Mary. The end is very near, what we can do to be saved? Just do good deeds, always be on the side of oppressed against oppressors. Do good deeds and have God Almighty in your heart on a daily basis. God Bless.

    April 14, 2015
    Reply

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