SIGNS OF THE TIMES
By W. G. Guy
Matthew 24:4-8 – And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
The same signs and conditions are repeated in the Gospel of Luke.
Luke 21:8-11 – And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
We need to examine more closely those conditions that Jesus identified as indications that we are in the last days before His return. The first sign is the appearance of those who identify themselves as Christian ministers and claim to be “anointed”, or Christ. (Note: the word Christ comes from the word Messiah which means “anointed”.) These so-called anointed ones will deceive many; not a few! Jesus warns us not to follow after them, or their ministry, when He said, “go ye not therefore after them”.
Deception will be one of the first signs listed showing us that we are in the last days. What does deception do? It creates confusion! Is there confusion present in these days? Absolutely: many can no longer identify what a women is; or what and who is a man, or a women; and what bathroom to use. Then there are the moral issues of abortion, and what constitutes a human being, or just organic tissue called a fetus. Then we see confusion as to what is lawful and what is unlawful, and what should be prosecuted. There is so much more confusion that it cannot possibly be listed here; and all of this is a result of deception, believing what is false or wrong.
Next on the list of signs are wars: conflicts between nations as well as ethnic groups, races, tribes and even religions and ideologies, (political persuasions). All such strife centers on dominance, self-determination and exaltation, contrary to Jesus’ teaching and the Biblical command of, “love thy neighbor”.
The list continues with earthquakes in various locations around the world. It is important to note that earthquake activity has greatly increased on this planet in recent years. Such seismic activity also includes the formation of volcanoes which has increased lately. Note that it is volcano activity, with its ash clouds, that will darken the sun and the moon as Jesus foretold will happen in the last days.
Now consider that famines are identified as one of the signs of the last days. Although there have been famines in various locations around the world in the past, there is now a significant threat of famines due to recent weather changes and significant droughts; (some of which may be man-made). Add to this the advent of wars like the one in Ukraine: a prime grain producer for Europe. Then we have the major drought in America’s mid-west, our grain and cattle producing area; then we have the major wildfires in Canada, also a major grain producer, which is destroying their crops.
Next on the list are pestilences, various deadly diseases. Some of these pestilences are now obviously man-made as biological weapons used to destroy opposing forces and populations. Pestilences have been present with us throughout history and people fail to recognize the how and why they exist. The main reason for pestilence is the result of man’s wickedness, rebellion and disobedience against God. Such rebellion removes God’s hand of protection that He provides for those who obey, honor and dwell with Him. So much pestilence is a result of man’s sin and wickedness which opens them up to Satan’s methods of destruction.
Psalm 91:1-3 – He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
Psalm 91:5-6 – Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; for for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
Psalms 91:9-10 – Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
The list continues with “fearful sights” or terrifying events that people will see and hear about. Such events could be any sort of horrifying things that are potentially coming, whether they are natural or man-made. Consider the scientific advent of “artificial intelligence” about which horror movies have been made. These are now becoming a reality; and some scientists are already warning about these creations that include autonomous and robotic weapons systems for the military.
Last we have “great signs shall there be from heaven”. Obviously these will be things that will be seen that are considered supernatural, or not man-made and controlled. The reference to heaven indicates that these will be seen in the sky above, or in outer-space as seen from the earth, that will be perceived to have an impact on the planet. Such signs could be from God orchestrating celestial activity, or they could come from our adversary, Satan, who is also referred to as the “prince of the power of the air” and the “god” of this present world.
Ephesians 2:2 – wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
2 Corinthians 4:4 – in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
In any of these terrifying events, will you be fearful of what is coming because you lack confidence in God’s love for you?
2 Timothy 1:7 – For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Or will you stand firm in the knowledge that He cares for you and made all necessary provision for you to survive and overcome all that is yet to come upon the earth. Jesus gave us this warning:
Luke 21:34-36 – And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Since the signs are now showing up everywhere, be sure you are prepared and abide under God’s protection by knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. He knows how to preserve what belongs to Him!
Visit www.victoriouslivingbiblestudy.com
To gain deeper knowledge of the Bible and God’s love for you.
By W. G. Guy
Matthew 24:4-8 – And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
The same signs and conditions are repeated in the Gospel of Luke.
Luke 21:8-11 – And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
We need to examine more closely those conditions that Jesus identified as indications that we are in the last days before His return. The first sign is the appearance of those who identify themselves as Christian ministers and claim to be “anointed”, or Christ. (Note: the word Christ comes from the word Messiah which means “anointed”.) These so-called anointed ones will deceive many; not a few! Jesus warns us not to follow after them, or their ministry, when He said, “go ye not therefore after them”.
Deception will be one of the first signs listed showing us that we are in the last days. What does deception do? It creates confusion! Is there confusion present in these days? Absolutely: many can no longer identify what a women is; or what and who is a man, or a women; and what bathroom to use. Then there are the moral issues of abortion, and what constitutes a human being, or just organic tissue called a fetus. Then we see confusion as to what is lawful and what is unlawful, and what should be prosecuted. There is so much more confusion that it cannot possibly be listed here; and all of this is a result of deception, believing what is false or wrong.
Next on the list of signs are wars: conflicts between nations as well as ethnic groups, races, tribes and even religions and ideologies, (political persuasions). All such strife centers on dominance, self-determination and exaltation, contrary to Jesus’ teaching and the Biblical command of, “love thy neighbor”.
The list continues with earthquakes in various locations around the world. It is important to note that earthquake activity has greatly increased on this planet in recent years. Such seismic activity also includes the formation of volcanoes which has increased lately. Note that it is volcano activity, with its ash clouds, that will darken the sun and the moon as Jesus foretold will happen in the last days.
Now consider that famines are identified as one of the signs of the last days. Although there have been famines in various locations around the world in the past, there is now a significant threat of famines due to recent weather changes and significant droughts; (some of which may be man-made). Add to this the advent of wars like the one in Ukraine: a prime grain producer for Europe. Then we have the major drought in America’s mid-west, our grain and cattle producing area; then we have the major wildfires in Canada, also a major grain producer, which is destroying their crops.
Next on the list are pestilences, various deadly diseases. Some of these pestilences are now obviously man-made as biological weapons used to destroy opposing forces and populations. Pestilences have been present with us throughout history and people fail to recognize the how and why they exist. The main reason for pestilence is the result of man’s wickedness, rebellion and disobedience against God. Such rebellion removes God’s hand of protection that He provides for those who obey, honor and dwell with Him. So much pestilence is a result of man’s sin and wickedness which opens them up to Satan’s methods of destruction.
Psalm 91:1-3 – He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
Psalm 91:5-6 – Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; for for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
Psalms 91:9-10 – Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
The list continues with “fearful sights” or terrifying events that people will see and hear about. Such events could be any sort of horrifying things that are potentially coming, whether they are natural or man-made. Consider the scientific advent of “artificial intelligence” about which horror movies have been made. These are now becoming a reality; and some scientists are already warning about these creations that include autonomous and robotic weapons systems for the military.
Last we have “great signs shall there be from heaven”. Obviously these will be things that will be seen that are considered supernatural, or not man-made and controlled. The reference to heaven indicates that these will be seen in the sky above, or in outer-space as seen from the earth, that will be perceived to have an impact on the planet. Such signs could be from God orchestrating celestial activity, or they could come from our adversary, Satan, who is also referred to as the “prince of the power of the air” and the “god” of this present world.
Ephesians 2:2 – wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
2 Corinthians 4:4 – in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
In any of these terrifying events, will you be fearful of what is coming because you lack confidence in God’s love for you?
2 Timothy 1:7 – For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Or will you stand firm in the knowledge that He cares for you and made all necessary provision for you to survive and overcome all that is yet to come upon the earth. Jesus gave us this warning:
Luke 21:34-36 – And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Since the signs are now showing up everywhere, be sure you are prepared and abide under God’s protection by knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. He knows how to preserve what belongs to Him!
Visit www.victoriouslivingbiblestudy.com
To gain deeper knowledge of the Bible and God’s love for you.
