Are We in the End Times (or Last Days)?
.. If so, We Had Better be Prepared for His Soon Return! 

Many have wondered – what are the signs of the end times? Are we living in the end times, or is this just something that people have always thought? How will we know if we are truly in the end times or not? What are the prophecies, or predicted signs, and are they being fulfilled?

HOW WILL WE KNOW if we are in the End Times?

In fact, it was this very question that the followers of Jesus asked Him:

“Tell us, when will these things be?  And what will be the signs of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” – Matthew 24:3

In fact, there are many prophecies in the Bible that provide clear signs of the “end times”, “last days”, or “Day of the Lord”.  Apparently God did not want His creation to be ignorant of these things.  He wants us to realize that He is active in guiding history (His Story), and that all things will conclude as He has planned.  This article will discuss:

• Why we should be aware of these signs
• What makes this age different from any other in terms of fulfillment of these prophecies
• Significant prophecies in both the Old and New Testaments being fulfilled today
• Why this indeed could be the End Times foretold throughout the Bible
• How we should then live knowing all these things

Haven’t People Always Thought its the End Times?

While it is true that the first century Church believed they were “living in the end times”, Paul the Apostle wrote letter to the Churches to inform them about certain “signs” that had to come to pass before the “last days” would appear.  This “end times” they understood to be the period of “Great Tribulation” spoke about by Daniel the prophet, and further described by Jesus (see below).  Paul didn’t want the early church to be mistaken about this, and as a result to quit work and begin doing nothing while awaiting the return of the Lord:

“Now brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no man deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,…” – 2 Thess 2:3

In the above passage Paul is warning the church that deceivers will come and pose as church leaders, and will try to fool the church about “the end times”.  They will say it has already come, or promote other deceptions.  In these and the verses that follow Paul points  out that the “Day of the Lord” – that time of Great Tribulation that Jesus referred to (see below) – will not come unless 1) there is a great falling away from the faith, and 2) they see the “anti-Christ”, the “son of perdition” appear.  Although there are many other signs, these were two clear signs that mark the “Great Tribulation” or “Day” of the Lord – the last 7 year period prior to the Lord’s return.

Jesus Used the Term “Birth Pains” as an Indicator

To Illustrate these Signs Would Increase in Frequency and Intensity as the End Times Approach

Jesus did however give some pertinent insight into last days’ events. He indicated that there would be a prevalence of wars, that nation would rise up against nation, and that there would be famines, earthquakes, and pestilences in a variety of places. He indicated using the term ‘birth pains’ that as we near the end of civilization these ‘birth pains’ would increase in their frequency and in their intensity. (The Bible, Matthew 24:6-8, New International Version)

The parallel between the end of the world and a mother-to-be in her final moments of labor are strikingly clear. As a woman nears the end of the nine-month pregnancy cycle her birth pains increase in frequency and in intensity until the moment of delivery. Likewise, said Jesus, as we near the end of the world, wars, famines, earthquakes and pestilences will increase substantially in frequency and intensity.

Should You be Watching for the End Times?  Yes! 

Jesus said very plainly …

“Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming – in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning – Lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.  And what I say to you, I say to all:  watch!”

We will not be able to discern the day or the hour, but in watching we will be able to discern “signs of the end times” that lead up to this “Day of the Lord.”  .

In watching we will not be caught unaware.  Christians should occupy and fulfill His purpose for our life until He comes, always doing good and being a faithful witness for the Lord.  Those that do no know the Lord will see these signs as they come to pass, and although many will continue to deny Him, many will turn and accept Him as Lord. 

A Brief Summary of Signs of the the End Times

Important signs that indicate that we may be living in the end times include the following (click on the links below to learn more about each end times sign!):

• Israel being gathered from among the nations, and made a nation once again
• Travel and knowledge will be greatly increased
• Global real-time communications will become a reality, so that the final two witnesses will be seen simultaneously around the world
• Lawlessness will be abounding so that cities, states and regions will cast off the rule of law, and anarchy will reign
• World-wide falling away from the church, and at the same time an outpouring of the Holy Spirit
• A developing one-world political and economic system, to be headed by a world ruler (the anti-Christ)
• The coming one-world system will require everyone to receive a “mark“ so that they may buy or sell
• Rebuilding of the Jewish Temple upon the temple mount in Jerusalem (destroyed since 70 A.D.)
• People scoffing and mocking at the notion of end times, saying “where is the promise of His coming? (2 Peter 3:3-4)
• The Spirit of Anti-Christ will begin to grow is media, politics, and culture
• Once the final One World Order begins to take final shape, the Anti-Christ will be revealed 

See below for more details about how EACH  of these prophecies are now being fulfilled before our very eyes!
(Note – This is a Work in Progress! More to be Added!)

End Times Political Signs

Sign	Scripture	Fulfilled?
Jerusalem will be a “Heavy Stone” for the nations	“Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. “It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it.” Zechariah 12:2-3	>> YES.  All the world’s attention is turn toward the Middle East these days.  The center of attention in this area is the conflict between Israel and the surrounding countries, and what place is the holy and in contention by both?  Jerusalem. The United Nations has repeatedly issued resolutions condemning Israel, while neglecting to focus on the surrounding nations that have consistently attached Israel – Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iran to mention a few.
Wars and rumors of wars will increase	Matt 24:6 “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars” (also Mk 13:7)Matt 24:7 (a); “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom”. (also Mk 13:8)	>> YES.  There are wars and rumors of wars on every major continent.  There is no consensus in the United Nations – nations are at odds with each other, which is why that body is effectively powerless.
Russia will rise as a power, led by a strong “prince” who devises an evil plan	Ezekiel 38:2 “Son of man, set you face against Gog, the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophecy against him., and say ‘Thus says the LORD God, ‘Behold, I am against you, O Gog,the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.”	>> YES.  In ancient times, the land we now know as Russia was called Rosh; Meshech was the ancient name for Moscow; and Tubal eastern Russia.  With the emergence of Putin, Russia has a new“prince”, and is once again  reasserting its power and influence.  Putin has quelled democratic trends, and consolidated power – effectively making himself a “prince”..  He is building up Russia’s  military arsenal, and forging alliances with Iran, Syria and other Middle Eastern counties.
Russia will then forge an alliance with Iran and other nations, with the ultimate goal of invading Israel	Ezekiel 38:5-6“Persian, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops, the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops – many people are with you”	>> YES.  At Putin’s direction, Russia has forged treaties with Iran (previous known as Persia).  Russia is now supplying nuclear technology to Iran, whose leader has stated that his desire is to“wipe Israel off the map.” (see Washing Post article) The stage is being set for this terrifying end times invasion.
In the latter years, Russia, with its Middle East and other allies, devises “an evil plan”, and attacks and invades Israel	Ezekiel 38:8 “After many days  you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely.” Ezekiel 38:9-10 “You will ascend, coming like a storm covering the land like a cloud,you and all your troops and many peoples with you. Thus says the LORD God: ‘On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan.”	>> PENDING Future Event.  Russia, with its Muslim Middle East and North Africa allies, will unexpectedly attack a peacefully dwelling Israel by invading from the north.
The LORD will use this invasion to demonstrate His mighty power to the nations	Ezekiel 38:16 “You will come up against my people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.” Ezekiel 38:18 “..My fury will show in My face.” Ezekiel 38:19 “Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.” Ezekiel 38:22 “..I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain,great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.” Ezekiel 39:4 “You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops, and the peoples who are with you.”	>> PENDING Future Event.  A sudden invasion of Israel, by Russia and her Middle Eastern allies, is abruptly thwarted by a great earthquake, and ‘fire and brimstone’ from the sky which destroys the invading troops upon the mountains of Israel.  We don’t know what this is, but one possibility is a comet or asteroid strike coincident with the timing of the invasion.  The comet or meteor would disintegrate upon entry, raining fire and brimstone on the invading troops.

Signs Related to the Nation Israel: Its Rebirth, Gathering of Jews from Around the World 

Sign	Scripture	Fulfilled?
Israel will be gathered from the among the nations, and will be established as a nation once again	Ezekiel 34:13 “And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country.”Matt 24:32: “Now learn this parable from the fig tree:when its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.  So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near – at the doors!” (Mk 13:28-29)	>> YES.  Since 1948. The ‘fig tree’ is a ‘type’ of the nation Israel in Scripture.  Israel, scattered among the nations when Rome invaded Israel in 70 A.D.,  was once again established as a nation in 1948, fulfilling both Old and New Testament Scriptures.
Gathering of Russian Jews back to the land of Israel	Jeremiah 23:8 “As the LORD loves who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I had driven them.  And they shall swell in their own land.”	>> Yes.  During 1970-1980,there was a dramatic immigration of Russian Jews from the Soviet Union into Israel.  As late as 1999, AP reported a dramatic increase of Jewish immigrants into Israel from the north.  See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliyah >> Latest – Watch Ukranian Jews return to Israel after 2,000 years.
Flowering of Israel, yielding much fruit, and the rebuilding of ruins	Ezekiel 36:8: “But you, O mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to My people Israel, for they are about to come.  For indeed I am for you and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown.  I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it;  and the cities shall be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.”	>> YES.  The deserts have been planted, and Israel is now not only supply food for its populace, but according to the Israel Export Institute, the value of Israeli food exports is predicted to rise by 60% over the next five years, reaching US $1bn in 2010.Israel has today more than 190 high-rise buildings, and in the near future it will have more then 35-40 new skyscrapers with 25-80 floors (mostly in Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan). Tel Aviv has been elected the 4th most important high-tech city in the world (Ref:www.emporis.com).
Return of one pure language, Hebrew, to Israel	Zephaniah 3:9“For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, that they may call on the name o f the Lord.”	>> YES.  Since 1948, Hebrew is  again being taught and spoken in the Jewish homeland, Israel.  Prior to 1948, Hebrew was effectively a dead language.
The Temple will be rebuilt, and Jewish Temple rituals will be resumed	In Daniel, a prophecy concerns the cutting off of sacrifices in the Temple – which of course means that the Temple itself must be rebuilt before this can happen: “..But in the middle of the week [last 7 year period] he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” Daniel 9:27 Jesus also referred to the prophecies in Daniel when He said: “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation’, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place..”  Matt 24:13.  This of course requires that the ‘holy place’ exist, which means that the Temple must be rebuilt.	>> PENDING Future Event. Preparations being made. Although there are a number of challenges to be overcome, several groups are preparing to rebuild the ancient Jewish Temple!  Examples: The Temple Mount Faithful – preparing the stones with which to rebuild the temple http://templemountfaithful.org/The Temple Institute – crafting the various articles to be placed inside the rebuilt temple http://www.templeinstitute.org

End Times Signs in Nature: Famines, Pestilences, Earthquakes Increase

Sign	Scripture	Fulfilled?
Famines, Pestilences, Earthquakes in various places	Jesus said in Matt 24:7:“And there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in diverse places.” Also recorded in Luke 21:11: “And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.”	>> YES.  We indeed have all of these signs. Famines – Ethiopia, as well as other parts of Africa, Asia, and Indonesia, have been under famine. >> YES.  Pestilences – Avian Bird Flu, HIV/AIDs, and most recently in 2019-2020 – the Coronavirus Covid-19.   In this century alone we have endured SARS, the swine flu, ebola, avian flu, MERS, West Nile virus and now the coronavirus. These pestilences have resulted in millions of deaths.  And it appears more are coming. . >> YES. Earthquakes – are occurring all over the world at an increasing rate!  >> For the facts see: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/

Signs of the End Times in Society: Lawless Abounding

Sign	Scripture	Fulfilled?
As it was in the days of Noah (to the uninformed, all things carry on as normal)	Matt 24:37: “But as the days of Noah, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the Ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away…” (also Lk 17:26)	>> YES.  Just as a long time had transpired after God told Noah a flood was coming, and it finally came, so also will it be with Christ’s return. To society at large, most are uninformed about the signs of the end times; as a result, they will be taken by surprise when we enter the period of Great Tribulation. >> See Mockers in the End Times
Lawlessness abounding, communities operating in a state of lawlessness	Matt 24:12: “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”	>> YES.  Today’s population lives for the most part in large cities, where lawlessness abounds.  As a result, common kindness and natural affection is lacking in today’s society. >> Update May 2020: America, and many other countries have fallen into a state of real “lawlessness”.  In Seattle, and other cites, the local government has dismantled their police force, and entered into a state of of no laws being enforced.  >> See Sign: Lawlessness Abounding.
As it was in the days of Lot (debauchery will be rampant)	Luke 1728: “Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built.”	>> YES.  Lot and his family were the only ones faithful to the Lord in the lands of Sodom and Gomorrah.  God saved Lot, but ended up destroying these cities due to their wickedness.

Spiritual Signs of End Times: a great Falling Away, Persecution, the Gospel is Preached to All Nations

Sign	Scripture	Fulfilled?
There will be mockers who come in the last days, saying “where is the promise of His coming?	2 Peter 3 “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying ‘Where is the promise of His coming?‘“	>> YES – happening now!  Although people will days that we have repeatedly though we were in the last days many times over the past 2,000 years, things have changed over the last decade. Not just non-Christians, but many church leaders are no longer proclaiming the imminent return of Christ.   >> See Mockers in the Last Days.
There will be a great Falling Away first	2 Thess 2:3 “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day will not come unless the falling away comes first…”	>> YES – in process now.  There is no question that as we enter the 21st century there has been a great “falling away” from the faith.   Over the past century there has indeed been a great falling away from the faith – starting with the rise of Darwinism at the turn of the century, and progressing on with the rise of secular humanism in the twentieth century.   >> See End Times Sign: a Great Falling Away.
A New World Order will be rolled out, with all nations joining in this Great Reset to unify to meet end times challenges. A world ruler will emerge to leader this End Times world system.	Daniel 7:23 ““Thus he said: ‘As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces”. Other verses about the Coming New World Order.	>> YES – the Great Reset of the world’s political and economic systems was announced in 2020, and a New World Order is being pushed by world leaders.  The Covid-19 pandemic was used as a lever to urge world leaders to abandon their nation states and join in a New World Order.  The World Economic Forum, along with Prince Charles, President Biden, and the leaders of many countries are collaborating to bring this about..   >> See End Times Sign: a Great Reset and a Coming New World Order.
The spirit of Anti-Christ begins to dominate politics, the media, and fear begins to create a mass psychosis The man of sin is revealed, the “son of perdition” (meaning=ruin, loss).  The “Anti-Christ”.	2 Thess 2:3 “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day will not come unless … the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”	> In Process!  Another key sign of the end times is the spread of the spirit orf Anti-Christ, and the revealing of the “Anti-Christ” himself – the “son of perdition” (ruin or loss – physical or eternal) as Paul writes.   We of course do not know if the “Anti-Christ” is alive today, but he may be – and he may just be waiting for the right opportunity to show himself to the world – as the counterfeit “savior” ready to save mankind from all the troubles he has brought upon himself. See; The Spirit of Anti-Christ begins to dominate the culture See: End Times Sign: The Anti-Christ is Revealed
The Gospel is preached to all nations	Matt 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to the nations, and then will then end come.” (also Mk 13:10)	>> YES.  Today the gospel is being preached around the world to literally all nations.  How?  Via satellite TV.  Most people in every nation either have a TV, or have access to one – even in very indigent counties.  Christian TV is taking the gospel out to nations around the world.
Many false Messiahs (or Christs) will come	Matt 24:5: “Many will come in my name , saying ‘I am the Christ’, and will deceive many.” (also Mk 13:6)	>> YES.  Today many are claiming to be the ‘Messiah’,  deceiving many  – Hitler was acclaimed as savior by many during WW II.  Osama bin Ladin was also acclaimed as a savior. Numerous other examples abound.
Signs and wonders will be used to deceive many	Matt 24:24: “For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (also Mk 13:22)	>> IN PROCESS.  Today more than ever there is a fascination with magic and the ‘supernatural’.  Witness the popularity of ‘Chris Angel’, David Blain,
Persecution of Christians for their Faith in Jesus Christ	Matt 24:9 “And they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My names sake” (Mk 13:9)	>> YES.  Christians and Jews are being persecuted in many countries around the world – in the Middle East, in Africa, in China, and the Far East.  For more see: http://www.persecution.com/ >> Update May 2020:  Christianity is now the #1 most persecuted religion in the world, and persecution is increasing.  Yet even in those countries when the faith is persecuted, is is rowing even faster!

Signs in Technology and Communications

Sign	Scripture	Fulfilled?
Transportation and Knowledge shall increase dramatically	Daniel 12:4 “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”	>> YES – last 100 years.  At no time prior have people traveled the globe so thoroughly – via air, train, car, etc.  We are indeed a mobile society.  In addition, unlike ever before, knowledge has increased exponentially within the last century.  It is said that 80% of the world’s total knowledge has been brought forth in the last decade, and 90%of all the engineers and scientists who have ever lived are alive today! >> See: End Times Sign: Dramatic Increase in Travel and Knowledge
The advent of technology to make the “mark of the beast” possible	Revelation 13:16-17:“And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”	>> YES – last decade.  The technology to mark every person so that they may neither buy nor well without the mark is here today!  UPC codes and scanning processes for all products sold were the first step in this development.  What is also driving this is the increasing level of credit card fraud, which costs economies billions in lost revenue.  A unique mark or chip in one’s hand (or on the forehead if no hands are available) would alleviate fraud, (saving billions), and speed transaction processing.  Update Aug 2007:  Chips are now being implanted in people in several countries! Update Dec 2022 – The Federal Reserve is testing a “digital dollar” to eventually replace cash, cards, and save billions. Are we not far from “the mark of the beast?”

If We are in the End Times, Are You Ready?

Christians ought to behave as though the Lord could come at any time.  As it says, we ought to “redeem the time” because of the nature of these days.  This means letting His Spirit lead us in our daily walk, and doing as He commanded us each and every day – by loving Him, and loving our neighbor as our self.  Walking the talk.

For those that don’t know the Lord, the message of the Bible is that God loves you.  If you were the ONLY person alive, He would still have died to to pay the penalty for your sins and bring you back into a relationship with Him (remember the parable of the lost sheep, how that Jesus left the 99 to search and retrieve the one that was lost!).  He dearly wants you to know Him and have eternal life!

Do you have a personal relationship with the Lord who created you, loves you unconditionally, and wants you to walk with Him?  If you do, then you have everything to look forward to – in this life, and in the life to come!  You were made for a purpose, and receiving the Lord into your heart and walking daily with Him will help you come to realize His purpose in your life and fulfill it. 

Don’t be caught unprepared in these approaching end times!  If you don’t know the Lord, here is a link to Billy Graham’s web site that can show you how you can accept the Lord into your heart, be born again, and begin a right relationship with Him…

Go to Steps to Peace with God ==> http://www.billygraham.org/SH_StepsToPeace.asp

Sources:

The Bible: https://www.blueletterbible.org/

LifeWay Research: “Vast Majority of Pastors See Signs of End Times in Current Events”  https://lifewayresearch.com/2020/04/07/vast-majority-of-pastors-see-signs-of-end-times-in-current-events/

Fox News, Jan 15, 2020: “Christians See Alarming Trend as China Build Blueprint of Persecution”: https://www.foxnews.com/faith-values/christian-china-persecution-2020-watchlist

NPR, Oct 22, 2018 “Thousands of Swedes are Inserting Microchips Under Their Skin”  https://www.npr.org/2018/10/22/658808705/thousands-of-swedes-are-inserting-microchips-under-their-skin

Wikipedia: List of UN Resolutions Concerning Israel – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_Nations_resolutions_concerning_Israel

The Observer, March 15, 2020; “KERNELS OF WISDOM: Plagues, prophets, and the plain truth” – https://www.pembrokeobserver.com/opinion/columnists/kernels-of-wisdom-plagues-prophets-and-the-plain-truth