Jesus is coming back, make no mistake about it! The New Testament reveals various “signs” of his coming. Things will be happening on earth that we will see and experience. We can read about some of them in Matthew 24.
Here’s the background. On Tuesday prior to his crucifixion, Jesus goes to the temple in Jerusalem where he pronounces final judgment on the religious leaders of Israel. Then he leaves the temple area with his disciples, crosses the Kidron Valley, and finds a place to sit on the slopes of the Mount of Olives. Jesus then begins to explain the world events that will lead to his return.
When the disciples comment about the beauty of Herod’s Temple, Jesus replies that a day is coming when the temple will be destroyed and “not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down” (Matthew 24:2). Researchers in Jerusalem have discovered the stones of the temple, still lying along the road where they were thrown by the Roman soldiers 2,000 years ago. For centuries they were covered by rubble. The recent excavation offers dramatic proof of the literal truth of Jesus’ words.
When the disciples heard this prediction, they asked three questions: “When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3). In his reply, Jesus doesn’t directly answer the first question. He skips over 2,000 years to discuss the events surrounding his return to the earth.
In Matthew 24:4-14, Jesus reveals six “signs” of the times. As we study these verses, keep in mind they have a double reference. These “signs” are true and present in every generation, and they will be especially visible as we approach the end of this age.
Sign #1: Spiritual Deception
“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’” (Matthew 24:4-5).
The first “sign” reminds us that religious charlatans appear in every generation. As we approach the end of the age, increasing gullibility will lead to a rise in spiritual deception. People will follow anyone who speaks with authority and promises to help solve their problems and give meaning to daily life. We should not be surprised by the words of Jesus that such teachers come “in my name.”
Sign #2: International Conflict
“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” (Matthew 24:6-7a).
We live in an age of commotion and upheaval. Leon Trotsky once commented that anyone seeking a peaceful world picked the wrong century to be born in. His words seem truer today than ever before.
A recent published list suggests these six hotspots as the most likely places where world war 3 might erupt: Iran, Israel, Turkey, Kashmir, North Korea, China. Those are just a few of the current “hot spots” scattered around the globe.
Sign # 3: Natural Disasters
“There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” (Matthew 24:7b).
This means there will be upheavals in nature itself as we hurtle down the final path that leads to the return of Christ to the earth. The UN says that the coronavirus will cause global famines of biblical proportions. The situation in Africa is made worse by the worst locust invasion in 25 years.
Sign #4: Fierce Persecution
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” (Matthew 24:9).
This is a verse no one likes to read or memorize. It’s too negative to be popular, yet there it is, clear and easy to understand, right from the lips of our Lord. He told his disciples to expect the worst because he knew they would be persecuted for their faith. We see that happening around the world today in places like China, India, and in many Middle Eastern countries. But opposition to Christianity is on the rise everywhere, including Europe and the U.S.
Sign #5: Widespread Apostasy
“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” (Matthew 24:10-12).
These verses paint a picture of unprecedented religious apostasy (a word meaning “falling away from the truth”) in the last days. They especially apply to so-called Christian leaders who depart from the Christian faith. They support abortion, the redefinition of marriage, and the right of pornographers to practice their evil trade. They do not preach the message of Christ’s salvation because they do not even believe the gospel. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Sign #6: Worldwide Evangelism
“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” (Matthew 24:13-14).
This sign may seem surprising because we are used to thinking of the signs of the Second Coming in purely negative terms. These verses give us a clear picture of the worldwide spread of the gospel in the last days. As we rush headlong into the final events of human history, vast multitudes will come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Let’s circle back to # 3: Natural Disasters. Matthew 24:7 mentions famines and earthquakes in various places. Luke 21:11 offers us some additional information: “There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.”
The addition of “pestilences” includes infectious diseases of every sort. A “pestilence” is any deadly disease impacting an entire community. The term “pandemic” describes an epidemic that has spread to several countries. The Amplified Bible gives us a useful expansion of Luke 21:11:
There will be mighty and violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences (plagues: malignant and contagious or infectious epidemic diseases which are deadly and devastating); and there will be sights of terror and great signs from heaven.
What can we say about all this? First, pestilence appears in the Bible in many places. Second, God uses pestilence to get our attention. Third, pestilence will figure in the events of the last days.
The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:1, “Understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” And the times of difficulty he refers to were already happening for his readers. He was saying, in effect, “Don’t be surprised that life is tough; these are the last days, remember?”
And 2 Peter 3:3 makes a similar assumption, and gives a similar reminder: “Scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.” For Peter’s readers, and for us, the scoffers aren’t future; they are here now.
What’s next? The next big step is that Jesus is coming back. That’s what the New Testament means when it says his return is “near” or “at hand.” It’s not about shortness of time as we conceive of it, but about nearness in history as God crafts it. And it should make us a people who anticipate it, pray for it, and live in light of it.
The return of Christ is near. We are living in the last days.
