8 Signs of The End and What To Do About It
From books to movies, and from TV shows to podcasts, it’s not hard to find many wide-ranging opinions about the end times, the apocalypse, or hints of an impending rapture. When we’re faced with tragic world events and the presence of evil, we might be tempted to search for signs of the end rather than look toward God’s Word for answers.
Jesus talks with his disciples about signs of the end in Matthew 24:
“Jesus told them, ‘Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.
“‘Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.’”
Jesus didn’t shy away from this topic, as we can see throughout the Gospels. At first glance, his words seem harsh, gloomy, even depressing. But what underscores Jesus’s signs of the end is the hope for the one who endures and believes.
Eight Signs of the End
Sign #1 – Deception. “…for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many” (v.5).
Sign #2 – Conflict. “And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (v. 6-7a).
Sign #3 – Chaos. “There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world” (v. 7).
Sign #4 – Persecution. “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers” (v. 9).
Sign #5 – Offense. “And many will turn away from me” (v. 10).
Sign #6 – Betrayal. “…and betray and hate each other” (v. 10).
Sign #7 – Increased sin. “Sin will be rampant everywhere” (v. 12).
Sign #8 – Indifference. “…and the love of many will grow cold” (v. 12).
The signs of the end sound familiar and you might be able to think of a few examples that fall into these categories of signs. We see the glimmer of hope that Jesus reveals in verse 13: “But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”
How To Endure:
Endurance doesn’t mean we’re just surviving until the end and Jesus returns. A central part of Jesus’s message was to bring the kingdom of Heaven to earth. As believers, we continue in this mission to bring heaven’s culture to the world. We aren’t passive bystanders, but active agents to bring the light of Christ to earth, especially in the midst of troubling times.
1) Be alert, not alarmed.
Jesus is clear: many will be deceived. Staying grounded in the God’s Word and truly knowing the heart of Jesus and what he taught is an important part of being alert. There’s no need to panic, because we know our ultimate hope is found in Christ.
How to do it: Read the Gospels. Find out who Jesus really is and the grace, hope, and mercy he offers. Find a Bible reading plan that goes through the Gospels every day. You’ll get a clear picture of Christ, and you’ll find wisdom and life in what he taught.
2) Be obedient.
You have been placed on earth, in this time in history, in your family, workplace, school, etc., for a specific purpose and reason. Do what you’re called to do for the glory of God and the good of others.
How to do it: God has gifted you with unique abilities to serve the people around you. The Holy Spirit in you is a seal, setting you apart for kingdom work. That work can happen in the church, but it can also happen in your home, classroom, in line at the DMV, or in your workplace. Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Pray and ask God to give you the eyes to see how you can be a light to other people right where he placed you. When Jesus talks about the end times, he also talks about the gospel being preached through all the world. Will you be a light for the gospel?
3) Rest in the hope that Jesus will return.
In the midst of turmoil, our faith is a strong anchor because Jesus will come again and make all things new. Philippians 4:7 says that we have a peace that transcends understanding, guarding our hearts and mind in Christ Jesus. That peace is already ours. We don’t have to succumb to chaos and fear. Carry the message of peace and hope to the places you go and the people you meet.
How to do it: Pray Philippians 4:6-7 when you feel anxious about the state of the world. Ask God to give your heart and mind rest as you fix your mind on him.
This blog was adapted from the message series What Are the Signs of the End? Watch the message here!