Are We Living in the Last Days?

Do you believe that the world has changed dramatically in a short period of time? Does it make you nervous? Do you think it is a sign that we are living in the “end times?”

The concept of “last days,” exists in Judaism, Christianity and even Islam. Each of the big three believe that a time of great turmoil will come which will lead to the eventual establishment of a global kingdom led by God.

Many Jews believe the world will be led by a descendant of King David known as the Messiah. Many Christians also believe in a Davidic Messiah and believe that leader is Jesus Christ. Some in Islam also believe that Jesus will return but only as a forerunner of their version of the Messiah known as the Twelfth Imam.

So how do students of the Bible know when these times are upon us? Jesus’ disciples asked that very question in Matthew 24. “…Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

With that question in mind, here are a few Biblical signs of the “last days.” Keep in mind that while many of these have been around for millennia, Jesus spoke of birth pains. One or two is not a sign, rather a sign is when these things come more frequently and with greater intensity.

1. Many people will claim to be God (Matt 24:5)
2. There will be a lot of talk about war (Matt 24:6)
3. Nations will rise up against each other (Matt 24:7)
4. Famine, Disease, Earthquakes in various places (Matt 24:7)
5. Christians will be imprisoned, killed and hated (Matt 24:9)
6. People will turn on each other, hate one another and be easily offended (Matt 24:10)
7. False Prophets claiming to speak for God will deceive multitudes of people (Matt 24:11)
8. Legal systems will break down (Matt 24:12)
9. Love for other people will wane, and there will be less respect (Matt 24:12)
10. The good news about Jesus’ Kingdom will be preached throughout the world (Matt 24:14)
11. Increase in sexual immorality (Matt 24:37, Luke 17:28:30, Jude 1:7)
12. People will love themselves more than others (2 Tim 3:2)
13. People will chase after money more than God (2 Tim 3:2)
14. People will be full of pride and arrogance (2 Tim 3:2)
15. People will curse and speak against God like it is nothing (2 Tim 3:2)
16. Parents will be disrespected and disobeyed (2 Tim 3:2)
17. People will be unthankful/ungrateful (2 Tim 3:2)
18. People will not be concerned about holiness (2 Tim 3:2)
19. People will be unloving (2 Tim 3:3)
20. People will be unforgiving (2 Tim 3:3)
21. People will slander other people and other things (2 Tim 3:3)
22. People will lack self-discipline and self-restraint (2 Tim 3:3)
23. People will be brutally violent (2 Tim 3:3)
24. People will hate good (2 Tim 3:3)
25. People will be treacherous (2 Tim 3:4)
26. People will be reckless (2 Tim 3:4)
27. People will be conceited (2 Tim 3:4)
28. People will love pleasure more than God (2 Tim 3:4)
29. People will act religious, but not truly represent God (2 Tim 3:5)
30. Knowledge will increase exponentially (Dan 12:4)
31. Technology capable of cashless society (Rev. 13:7)
32. A mixing of European and Islamic cultures (Dan 11)
33. Rise in Spiritualism (1 Tim 4:1)
34. People pushing for peace even among rising violence (1 Th 5:3)
35. “Christians” will turn to new doctrines and abandon old ones (2 Tim 4:3-4)

So, what do you think? Are we living in the “end times,” or is it just more of the same ol’ same ol’?

Blessings!