What Will Be the Sign of Jesus's Coming and of the End of the Age?

It was the exact question of the disciples to Jesus:

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" - Matthew 24:3

The following were some of Jesus's answers:

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. - Matthew 24:6a

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. - Matthew 24:7

And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. - Matthew 24:10

Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. - Matthew 24:11

And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. - Matthew 24:12

These do appear to be perilous times that could quite well be the end times of which Jesus spoke. The news this entire week reported things that could very well fulfill the prophetic words of Jesus. The horrific earthquake, the tsunami, Libya, the nuclear fears, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, all the Middle East for that matter, and all the protests and strife and violence in our own USA; has there ever been a time when things seemed so close to the end times? I know there have been times in our history when it must have seemed horrific and close to the end. The 60's must have seemed horrible; also I can't imagine living through Nazi Germany and the WWII era. It must have seemed near the end then. But I believe we have now come much closer to fulfilling other prophecies of the end.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. - Matthew 24:14

The same answer to the same question of when the sign of the end will be, reads this way in Mark:

And the gospel must first be published among all nations. - Mark 13:10

Also consider the scripture in Daniel where the words of the prophetic vision are to be shut up until the end time:

But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase. - Daniel 12:4

There was undoubtedly a time when the Bible had been printed in all languages and then as missionaries were taking the Word all over the world, even into the most remote tribes, that this scripture seemed to have been fulfilled. But now with the addition of the internet and i-phones, you don't even need the missionary! Knowledge has certainly increased when we have an instant and currently updated encyclopedia at our fingertips in even some of the most remote areas of the world! We have instantaneous news! We can teach, share the gospel, and engage in Bible study in real-time all over the world in a way not seen in eras before now.

There has always been Christian persecution, that is persecution of those followers of Jesus Christ, as a sign of the end times:

And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. - Mark 13:13

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. - Luke 21:12-13

I believe as the gospel is spread farther and wider all over the world and Christianity grows, persecution increases, because it is being spread in areas hostile to Christianity. Take for instance, the Christian church in China, which is mostly underground, but reported to be now larger than the Communist Party in China. What about the spread of Christianity in Middle Eastern countries where many Muslims believe they must "kill the infidel"? Surely the spread of the gospel would necessarily increase persecution, but there is more.

As immorality rises, Christianity must be squashed. How can you have same-sex marriage and adoptions by homosexuals if homosexuality is wrong? How can you tolerate abortions if you believe it is the murder of the most innocent? You could ask many such questions. That is why there has been a deliberate push for a long time to remove God and prayer from the schools and the public square. This adds another level of persecution we are seeing now. Christians must be demonized and even criminalized in order for some formerly unlawful acts to be accepted. Christian parents are being jailed right now in Europe because they don't want their children exposed to pro-homosexual teachings. It's at our doorstep in this country. Mother Earth must replace Father God in order for environmental madness to rule. Darwin's theory of evolution and natural selection must replace creation by the Creator God whose plan was for man to have dominion over the earth and the animals. Only this way can "death panels" and population control techniques be implemented to "save the planet" and for the "greater good".

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, - 2 Thessalonians 2:3

The apostle Paul talks about a "falling away" that will come before the antichrist appears on the scene. First there was the spreading of the gospel all over the world. There is no excuse for anyone not accepting the Truth. We have proof of God and His plan of salvation, but people choose to turn away, to fall away. Paul describes the process:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. - Romans 1:18-19

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. - Romans 1:20-21

Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. - Romans 1:22-23

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. - Romans 1:24-25

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. - Romans 1:26

Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. - Romans 1:27

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. - Romans 1:28-32

How can anyone read those scriptures and not see our present culture? A culture that does not revere God, with people who become futile in their "wise" thoughts. Think of all the foolish new age doctrines promoted by the likes of Oprah, Hollywood, and many mega-churches. Think of the Mother Earth, oneness with the earth, and all living things are equal to man teachings. There are pagan religions where people pray to animals. Are these things not the very illustration of what the above scriptures describe? People who worship the created things rather than their Creator? People who change the truth of God for a lie? God gives them over to their vile passions. And next is that not the very description of homosexuality, a practice that is definitely growing by leaps and bounds in our culture? And then follows all sorts of godlessness. And note that not only are the people who practice such things deserving of death, but also those WHO APPROVE OF THOSE WHO PRACTICE THEM! No matter how much we are told we just need to accept it and live and let live, that is not what scripture says!

It's quite remarkable and incredible, really. People know God, they know what they are doing is deserving of eternal death, yet they choose to do it anyway. It's as if this culture is shaking its fist at God and saying, "We don't care! We don't care what You said; we are going to do what we want to do! We are doing what WE think is best!"

What I continually wish and pray is simply that people would read their Bibles and let God show them His truth. My simplistic advice has always (or at least for a long time) been, "Just read your Bible!" I know if people will do that, God will take it from there. But sadly, these verses show that people ALREADY KNOW GOD, KNOW THE TRUTH, and just turn away.

BUT there is good news in Jesus's prophecies of the end times!

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. - Luke 21:12-13

In the midst of the persecution, there will be occasion for testimony and some people will, no doubt, come to salvation in the midst of persecution. In the midst of earthquakes and disasters, there will opportunities for testimony. Shortly after Katrina, I met a displaced victim of Katrina who wound up in our small town in East Texas. She was giving thanks to God for getting her out of New Orleans and her life there! Imagine, what many people thought was a cruel act by God, was actually His saving grace in action!! Praise God!