We are closer to the end than ever before. That’s kind of an obvious statement, but even many who don’t believe in the Bible will tell you the world will one day end and that we are getting closer to that time. We don’t know exactly when the time will come, but the Rapture will be the triggering event.
I believe the Church, those who have placed their faith in Jesus as Savior, will be taken up to heaven in the Rapture before the world is thrown into the thick of God’s judgment, or apocalypse. And it’s not until seven years after the Rapture that the Bible describes the return of Jesus and an end to the world as we know it.
But there are signs of the End Times that we can see beginning to manifest today—issues that will only deepen and reoccur more frequently as we get closer to the end. Jesus talks about them in the book of Matthew, chapter 24, but here is a glimpse at what he says:
The Sign of Deception
Many people will claim to be the Savior and to have the answers for a troubled world. People will cry desperately for leaders to deliver them, and they will seek mystics and religious leaders who claim to have deeper knowledge. Jesus tells us He is the only salvation for this world and not to be fooled by counterfeits.
The Sign of Disputes Among Nations
Wars and dissension among people groups will rise. There will be constant talk of conflicts, border skirmishes, race wars, and national battles.
The Sign of Devastation
There will be more and more famine, “earthquakes in various places,” and pestilence, the rise of disease (Matthew 24:7).
The Sign of Deliverance Into the Tribulation
Just before Jesus returns at the Second Coming, there will be an explosion of antagonism toward God’s people. Christians will be persecuted. Many will pay a high price for proclaiming the name of Jesus in our world.
We need only to watch the news to see most of these signs taking place today. The Bible says we can’t know the date or time of the Rapture that will trigger the End Times, but we know when it does happen, these issues will grow exponentially.