6 Signs of the End Times

What are the signs that we are living in the end times? How can we know if we are truly experiencing the end of days?
The Bible clearly reveals prophecies and warnings about various signs that will occur to inform us that we are truly approaching the end times.

The Rise of Deception & False Prophets
There will be an increase in all kinds of deception in the last days. Today, many false prophets and teachers command huge followings on social media and in their church buildings. It is ironic that within the religious systems, it is the religious charlatans who have the most influence and followers. Many followers are deceived by the cultic doctrines and false miracles of false prophets who use religion as a means to control and enrich themselves.

In Matthew 24:4-5,11,24-25 Jesus says: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many… 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people… For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect — if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.”

1 Timothy 4:1 says: The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

We must therefore beware of false prophets and false teachers. We should not be deceived by their large followings or their false doctrines. Instead we must test all teachings against the word of God and we must be in genuine relationship with God in order to discern the truth from the lies. We must have knowledge and understanding in relation to the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

Increase in Immorality & Godlessness
Jesus says that in the last days, there will be an “increase of wickedness (and) the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).
So during the end times, many people will become narcissistic or self-centred. People will be less compassionate and their love for others will greatly diminish. Therefore in the last days, the propensity to act wickedly at all times will increase. Humanity will hate good and instead cling to what is evil.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 reads: But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

In the last days, promoting a culture of godliness and Christian values will be mocked at. People will even be scoffed and persecuted for promoting values and principles that honor God and His word.
Instead the promotion of immorality and any value systems which oppose God’s word will become the norm.

Increase in Natural Disasters
There is no doubt that the earth has been currently experiencing record breaking natural disasters from earthquakes, floods, wild fires to hurricanes, famines and various strange weather patterns. In Matthew 24:7-8 Jesus reveals that strange climate and weather patterns will be part of the end times signs.
We now live in a world where man-made weather modification or geoengineering is being implemented on a large scale. Geoengineering involves the deliberate modification of the planet’s natural systems to supposedly mitigate global warming and its associated impacts.
However geoengineering can have unintended consequences and unforeseen effects on ecosystems and weather patterns. We also know that it is now possible to create man-made earthquakes.
Therefore could the end times increase in natural disasters be partly a result of man-made interference where man plays “god” by attempting to modify and control the weather?

Increase in Conflict & Wars
Today there is the possibility of the threat of a nuclear war. The more wicked humanity becomes, the more difficult it becomes to create a peace-loving world. An immoral and wicked society will always create strife.

In Matthew 24:6-7 Jesus says: “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. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…”

For one reason or the other, there is a clear sign that many people are dying from global conflict than ever before. Furthermore, an elite group of people such as the military industrial complex stand to benefit financially from wars that happen all over the world. Therefore the more the wars and the longer the wars, the more the elite will reap financially.

Persecution of Christians
In Matthew 24:9-10 Jesus says: “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other”

In the end times there will be an increase in persecution of true Christian believers. Jesus mentioned that the world hates Him, and therefore the world will also hate His followers.
The world loves darkness and immoral values. This means that any Christian who promotes godly values will ultimately be seen as an enemy of the world.
Today Christians are being persecuted more than any other time since the world began.

Increase in Knowledge
Daniel 12:4 says there will be an increase in knowledge in the last days. Today we not only live in the information age, but we live in the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Since the beginning of the 21st Century there has been a massive rate in the advancement and development of technology and various scientific discoveries.
There are benefits of using technology but also there are fears that are associated with using technology such as privacy and abuse. Another fear concerning technology that is linked to the end times is the idea of microchip implants which is speculated to be linked to the mark of the beast.
Many scientific discoveries are good, however some discoveries may lead to man attempting unethical practices such as human cloning or genetic engineering for example.
Therefore knowledge without God can be dangerous.

Conclusion
We are warned through Scripture to be attentive and to be prepared for the second coming of Jesus Christ. We are warned that before Christ returns, we will witness the signs of the end times.
While we live on this planet, we must ask ourselves some crucial questions such as:
Am I prepared for the return of Jesus Christ? How is my relationship with God like? Am I living a life that is pleasing to God?

We must understand the times we live. We must realize that life on this earth is short. What matters the most is whether we have a true and genuine relationship with God.