Signs of the End Times

We can see the ends times every time we check out the newspapers, or the local news.

Signs of the End Times

2000 years ago, Jesus Christ (i.e., the Son of God), gave us some clues as to the end times. In the book of Matthew (chapter 24), Jesus expounded on the end times.

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains."

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

"So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains."

Birth Pangs of Today

So you see, we certainly see the birth pangs today:

- Many claiming to be a Savior, or the Savior
- Wars and rumors of wars
- Nation rising against nation, kingdom against kingdom
- Famines and earthquakes in various places

But do not be alarmed, such things must happen, but the end is still to come. But before it does, did you notice the escalation (verses 9-13) and the reference to the Anti-Christ (verse 15)?

Escalation of Persecution

The escalation includes (most likely with the revealing of the Anti-Christ):
- You will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death
- You will be hated by all nations because of me
- Many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other
- Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people

Stand Firm to the End

Despite everything, he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. But before it does, the Anti-Christ will be revealed (verse 15, also check out 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4) and the Rapture of the Church and Tribulation will occur. The Tribulation is two 3 1/2 year periods at the end of which, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ occurs.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14

My mind is full of many thoughts that clutter and confuse. But standing firm, I will prevail, in faith that I'll be used.