Last Day Signs

The Bible frequently references events concerning the last days. Last day events occur between the time of Christ's first advent and His second coming. Some of the events mentioned refer specifically to the "Time of the End", which is the time just before Christ's second coming. Many events have already occurred, revealing that we are remarkably close to the end of this age! As you study the last day events listed below, keep in mind the following points:

• We are supposed to know when the end is near (Matt. 24:3-4, Luke 21:31, 34).
• We will not know the specific date (Matt. 24:36, Luke 12:40).
• We should prepare and watch by:
  • Being patient and stablishing our hearts [turn resolutely towards God] (James 5:7-10).
  • Being aware that we live in the time of the end (Luke 17:26-30, Dan. 12:10).
  • Keeping our lamps full of oil (Holy Spirit) (Matt. 25:1-13).

1. False Christs & False Prophets

(Matt. 24:5,11,23-24, Mark 13:22, II Peter 2:1) We can recognize the true Christ because when He returns to earth every eye will see him (Rev. 1:7), He will return in the clouds (Acts 1:11), and it will be loud (I Thes. 4:16, I Cor. 15:52). It will not be secret or revealed to only some people (Luke 17:22-24). Despite this knowledge, many will be deceived, because false Christs and false prophets perform marvelous miracles, compelling signs and wonders, even appearing as angels of light (2 Cor. 11:14).

We can recognize true prophets, because:

• a) They will believe that Jesus Christ is of God and already came to this earth in human form (I John 4:1-3).
• b) Their predictions accurately happen (Deut. 18:22). Note: Conditional prophecies might not happen if conditions are met.
• c) They will uphold and not contradict the Bible or seek to change any of its teachings (Isaiah 8:20, 2 Tim. 3:16).

The Bible is clear that there are true prophets in the last days (Rev. 19:10, Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17-18, I Thes. 5:20-21). Prophetic voices did not end in the 1st century. In fact, God promises He will not do anything without revealing it first to a prophet (Amos 3:7). The prophetic gift is part of the last day church (Rev. 12:17, 19:10). There is no need to be unprepared or lacking in warning or instruction for what is to come.

2. Wars

(Matt. 24:6-8, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:9-10) The 20th century has witnessed an escalation of wars like no other period in history. The expected peace that many of these wars promised, has not been realized. (See Daniel 11:40-45 for more information about World War I and II in prophecy.)

3. Famines

(Matt. 24:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:11) Drought and flooding have increasingly contributed to food shortages. It is now estimated that a staggering third of the world is starving.

4. Water-Related Disasters

(Luke 21:25-26) Hurricanes and tidal waves are among the most feared and powerful disasters. Recent studies show the strength of hurricanes have been increasing over the past 25 years. The resulting terror and havoc of "roaring" waves was readily seen in Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Asian Tsunami in 2004 that killed 225,000.

5. Pestilence

(Matt. 24:7, Luke 21:11) Plagues and disease continue to take countless lives despite the amazing breakthroughs of modern science. Cancer, AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis and Cholera are just a few of the epidemics that plague our world.

6. Earthquakes

• a) A Great Earthquake: (Rev. 6:12-13) On Nov. 1, 1755, the great Lisbon Earthquake occurred. It was felt in Europe, Africa, America, Greenland and the West Indies, pervading an extent of not less than four million square miles. It caused destructive tidal waves, shook and split mountains, swallowed villages and started raging fires. In six minutes, 60,000 people perished.
• b) Earthquakes in diverse places: (Matt. 24:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:11) Statistics show that the number of major earthquakes has been increasing. The earthquakes that hit densely populated areas cause massive loss of life and severe property damages.

7. Signs in the Sun, Moon & Stars

(Luke 21:25, Acts 2:20, Joel 2:31) These signs appear after the tribulation (Matt. 24:29). Persecution by the church-state system of the Middle Ages had almost ceased by the mid 1700s (their control didn't end until 1798, but Christ promised the 1260 year tribulation (538-1798 AD) would be shortened in Matt. 24:22), and the signs quickly followed. On May 19, 1780, "The Dark Day" occurred; an unaccountable darkening of the whole visible heavens and atmosphere in New England. The moon did not shine, but had the appearance of blood (Joel 2:31, Is. 13:10, Matt. 24:29). On November 13, 1833 the "Falling of the Stars" occurred; an unparalleled display of meteors appearing to shoot in all directions, on fire and falling from the sky. These are signs that Jesus' coming is near. There are also similar signs in the heavens that accompany His coming.

8. Increased Knowledge

(Dan. 12:4) The angel said that Daniel's prophecy was to be sealed until the time of the end (1798). In accordance, in the 1800's, many end-time prophecies began to be understood as people studied and searched ("run to and fro") the Bible and knowledge of the prophecies increased ("knowledge shall be increased"). With satellites and computers, prophetic knowledge is spreading across the globe.

9. Violence

(Matt. 24:37, Gen. 6:5,11) The earth is filled with violence. Crime is rampant and the glorification of violence in movies, video games and on the Internet numbs the senses to the horror.

10. Rise of Spiritualism

(Rev. 16:13-14, I Tim. 4:1) Millions are involved in the occult, one of the fastest growing religions in the world. God warns against all activities that are inspired by evil spirits (Deut. 18:9-11, Is. 8:19), which now have modern names, but are based on the same influence. Much of the deception arise from the unbiblical belief that the dead are not in the grave (see Death & Hell), but are able to visit and communicate with the living. This makes many susceptible to the influence of fallen angels posing as departed loved ones or well-known persons. However, the Bible refers to death as a "sleep" (John 11:11-13, Acts 13:36, I Cor. 15:51, Job 14:12-14) and is decisively clear that the dead don't do or think anything (Psalm 6:5, Eccles 9:5,10, Is. 38:18). Humans are mortal (I Cor. 15:53) until the Son gives the gift of everlasting life at His second coming (I Thes. 4:16, Is. 14:9, John 6:40).

11. Worsening Wickedness

(2 Tim. 3:1-5, 13)

12. Scoffers/Mockers

(2 Pet. 3:3-4, Jude 1:17-18)

13. Appearance that Christ delays his coming

(Matt. 25:5-6, Heb. 10:37) Though it may appear that Christ delays His return to earth and deliverance of His people, it will happen as promised.

14. The Gospel Preached to All

(Matt. 24:14, Mark 16:15, Rev. 14:16) The 1800's saw an unprecented number of missionaries, Bible societies and religious pamphlet distribution (this was predicted in the prophecy in Rev. 11). Now, with the available technologies, the gospel is being spread rapidly to the furthest ends of the earth (the 3 Angels' Messages are the end-time message preached to every nation and people).

Additional Resources:

Last Day Events (Interactive Presentation)