Are we living in the end times? Given the state of the world right now, this is a question on many Christians’ minds. By digging into Jesus’ own words we can see clear indicators of the end times:
In the end times, there will be an increase in natural disasters.
Luke 21:11 (ESV)
There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
This scripture states that there will be natural signs like great earthquakes, famines (where people starve from not being able to access food), and pestilences before Jesus’ second coming. Matthew 24:6-8 lists some things we will see before Christ’s return and follows up with, “All these are but the beginning of the birth pains” (ESV).
I have had the privilege of being in the room when my wife delivered both of our children, so I’ve seen birth pains firsthand. As a woman gets closer to delivery, the frequency of contractions increases and the pain begins to increase as her body changes to accommodate the passage of the baby through the birth canal. A woman’s water breaks, signaling that birth is coming soon, but then it can be another 12 hours or more until the baby appears. So when people say that we are in the end times, it is similar to saying, “My wife’s water broke and we’re in delivery.” We feel the pains of the end times through these natural disasters, but just because it’s painful doesn’t mean it is happening instantaneously.
In the end times, there will be an increase in heresy.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV)
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
The Bible says clearly that there will be an increase in false teachers, deception, heresy, and occultism. In the end times, many people will follow new age principles and false versions of Christianity. We see this happening right now with the rise of cults and cult leaders. I have visited major retailers where I could not find a Bible but could easily find books on new age practices, witchcraft, and the occult. We see heretical teachers on popular media platforms sharing extra-biblical concepts. We are definitely seeing an increase in the dissemination of false teaching.
There will be an increase in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Joel 2:28-29 (ESV)
“And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit.”
Joel prophesied that there would be great outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days. There have been many outpourings of the Holy Spirit throughout church history. But the question is, are we experiencing a great outpouring? Acts 2:16 speaks of the day of Pentecost, which was a major outpouring. But is it the great outpouring mentioned in the book of Joel? The increase of these occurrences points towards the end times in the same way that Acts 2 does.
Are we living in the end times?
Luke 21:11 says there will be great earthquakes and famines and pestilences. 2 Timothy 3:13 (ESV) says there will be evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse. And Matthew 24:6-7 says we will hear of wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, and famines, and earthquakes.
These verses are definitely characteristic of today. In the United States alone, we see unpredictable weather patterns, snow where there’s never been snow, heat waves out of season, earthquakes increasing in their frequency, their duration, and their magnitude. We see heresy, new age practices, the removal of Bibles and Christian resources from public shelves, being replaced with false forms of spirituality. Putting everything together, I can unequivocally say that we are in the end times.
How should we live in the end times?
Some would look at the imminence of Christ’s return and reason, “If Jesus is returning soon, it is pointless to work a job, or provide for my family, or go after my God-given dreams.” This is incorrect. We should live our lives as good stewards of what God has given us. We should live with the urgency of Christ’s return at the forefront of our minds, not in “emergency mode” as if Jesus is coming tomorrow and nothing we do right now matters. If you live with that mindset, you’re going to look like a fool if it takes another 30 years before Christ returns. There’s a difference between urgency and emergency. Live with the urgency of knowing Christ’s return is imminent and simultaneously pursue your destiny, go after your dreams, and build your life as you honor Him.
I pray this blog helps you in your walk with God. Please share it and let me know what you think in the comments below!
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