End-Time Signs

There is a lot of controversy about climate change, the use of fossil fuels, and the condition of the earth. Some state that we are on the verge of making the earth uninhabitable for human life. Others would disagree. I’m not here to give you my opinions, but to highlight what the Bible says.

Jesus spoke about the conditions of the world as His return draws near. He said, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 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. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. 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 24:4–9). If we were to make a list of these signs, it would look like this.

• rise of false religious leaders
• increase in famines and earthquakes
• wars between nations
• racism between ethnic groups
• persecution of those who follow Jesus

We are definitely seeing these signs increase around our world. The Bible also includes a fuller description of the changes that would take place within people and their relationships. Paul stated these in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.” I want you to notice that this passage mentions that …

• people will be lovers of themselves, money, and pleasures instead of lovers of God
• people will become more self-serving
• people will grow more unthankful and meaner to one another
• people will be religious or spiritual, but not be right with God

You don’t have to watch much of the nightly news to hear that both groups of signs are on the increase. As to the issues of climate change and the increase in natural catastrophes, Paul also said, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (Romans 8:22) His prior argument shows that sin has impacted all of creation, not only mankind.

If you are fearful of the future, put your trust in the One who is not worried in the slightest. He has arranged a future in Heaven for His followers that is untainted by sin. Thus, none of these signs of corruption of nature or of people will take place there.

God has provided a way in which you can be assured that you will go to Heaven when you die. You must acknowledge that Jesus died for you, was buried, and came back to life, never to die again. Repent of your self-will and your sins, invite Jesus into your life, and begin following Him.

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