Today, I would like to explore the question: Are we in the end times?
We Christians need to know the signs so that we can be prepared for and present the facts of the coming of the end times. In Matthew 28:16 we are told to make disciples.
With this in mind, let’s explore some of the signs during the end times:
Hunger and famine: The World Food Programme says on its website that up to 828 million people go to bed hungry, and nearly 43.3 million people in 51 countries are at serious risk of famine.
Natural disasters: On The Borgen Project website we are told since 1970 there has been a more than 400% increase in the average of natural disasters worldwide.
Spread of new diseases: Revelation 6:5-8 warns we will see new diseases. The pandemic of COVID-19 is the most notable new disease.
War and rumors of war: According to the Revise Society website there are currently ongoing wars/conflicts in three dozen countries. On Feb. 14, CNN warned the U.S. is facing conflict/showdown with Russia and China that could lead to war.
Persecution: Christians are persecuted around the world. Trends show that internationally there is increasing and intensifying violent persecutions against Christians. Here in the United States, Christian persecution exists in the form of increasing intolerance via fines, lawsuits, job loss and public disdain due to the social media “cancel culture.”
Lawlessness: You don’t have to look hard for an increase in lawlessness. Many news sources have reported that Indianapolis’ murder rate per capita is one of the highest in the USA. Further, these sources report significant increases in crime all around the United States.
Mark of the beast: In Revelation 13 we are told there will come a day that we will be unable to buy or sell without the mark of the beast. We have the advent of a technology that would make that possible and enforceable via digital currencies. When currency becomes entirely digital, we will lose the ability to buy or sell without it.
Israel returns as a nation: On May 14, 1948, Israel was reestablished as a nation after 2,000 years in exile by Resolution 181 of the United Nations.You might ask, “Why is this important?” This end time event is referenced in Isaiah 66:8: “ Who has ever seen anything as strange as this? Who ever heard of such a thing? Has a nation ever been born in a single day? Has a country ever come forth in a mere moment?
Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:8 that these signs are like “birth pains” with more to come. These signs lead up to the end of times. It is my belief that the aforementioned signs are those “birth pains.”
Even if I am wrong, we are all called to be ready in Matthew 24:44. Jesus commands us to spread the Gospel of the Good News. While some may resist the Gospel, we can use the signs above to point out to that they are running out of time to accept Jesus.
If you knew a tornado was coming to destroy someone’s home, don’t you think they would want to know? Likewise, you must share this saving grace that will keep them from entering eternal condemnation.
I encourage you to share your faith and the signs.
Rich Bailey is pastor of Curry’s Chapel Church. This weekly column is written by local clergy members.
