What are the signs of the end times?

In Matthew 24, the disciples asked Jesus directly: "What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" Jesus responded with a detailed list of signs that would characterize the time leading up to His return. He warned of false christs, wars and rumours of wars, nation rising against nation, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. He called these "the beginning of sorrows" — birth pains that would increase in frequency and intensity.

Jesus also warned of great persecution of believers, widespread deception by false prophets, and the love of many growing cold because iniquity would abound. He declared that the gospel of the kingdom would be preached in all the world as a witness unto all nations before the end comes. These signs describe a world in escalating turmoil, exactly as we observe today.

It is important to distinguish between signs of the tribulation (which are specifically for that seven-year period) and general conditions that indicate the tribulation — and thus the rapture — is drawing near. The rapture itself is signless, but the shadow of coming tribulation events is already visible.

The apostle Paul warned Timothy that "in the last days perilous times shall come." He then described a society characterized by selfishness, covetousness, pride, blasphemy, disobedience to parents, ingratitude, a lack of natural affection, and a love of pleasures more than a love of God. Remarkably, he notes these people would have "a form of godliness" while denying its power — outward religion without genuine faith.

This description reads like a profile of modern Western society. The moral fabric of nations that were once influenced by Biblical Christianity has deteriorated rapidly. What was once called sin is now celebrated, and those who stand on Scripture are labeled as intolerant. Paul's warning was not about pagans in distant lands, but about people within the visible church who would abandon sound doctrine.

Paul further warned that "the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" (2 Timothy 4:3). The rise of false teachers, prosperity gospel preachers, and churches that deny the authority of Scripture fulfills this prophecy before our eyes.

Jesus spoke of signs in the sun, moon, and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity. The sea and waves roaring represents upheaval and chaos among the peoples of the world. Men's hearts would fail them for fear of what is coming upon the earth. The powers of heaven would be shaken.

While many of these cosmic signs find their ultimate fulfillment during the tribulation (see Revelation 6:12-14; Joel 2:31), the general atmosphere of global anxiety, geopolitical instability, and fear of catastrophe that Jesus describes is increasingly evident. Nations are perplexed by economic crises, pandemics, climate concerns, nuclear threats, and social upheaval.

Yet Jesus concludes this passage with a word of tremendous hope for believers: "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Rather than producing fear, the signs of the times should produce expectation in the hearts of God's people. Our redemption — the rapture — is drawing near.

Perhaps the single greatest prophetic sign of the end times is the restoration of the nation of Israel. In 1948, Israel was re-established as a nation after nearly 2,000 years of dispersion — an event unprecedented in human history and foretold throughout the Old Testament prophets. Ezekiel 37 describes the valley of dry bones coming to life, which represents the national restoration of Israel.

Jesus Himself used the fig tree — a common symbol for Israel — as an illustration: "When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors" (Matthew 24:32-33). The re-emergence of Israel is the prophetic fig tree putting forth its leaves, signaling that the end-times program is underway.

God's prophetic calendar revolves around Israel. The tribulation is specifically "the time of Jacob's trouble" (Jeremiah 30:7). The Antichrist will make a covenant with Israel for seven years (Daniel 9:27). The battle of Armageddon will center on Israel (Revelation 16:16). The fact that Israel exists as a nation again, with Jerusalem as a "burdensome stone" to all nations (Zechariah 12:3), is powerful confirmation that we are living in the last days.