Signs of the End Times

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 close of the age?’ And Jesus answered them, ‘See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come’” -Matthew 24:3-14 (ESV).

      Matthew chapters 24 and 25 are termed by scholars the “Olivet Discourse,” or teachings of Jesus to His disciples as they were on the Mt. of Olives. This mountain is the middle peak of a two and one-half mile long mountain ridge that towers over the eastern side of Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives rises over two hundred feet about the Temple mount located across the Kidron Valley. At this place Jesus gave His disciples some very cogent and deep teachings about the end times and the tribulation period that will precede the Lord’s second coming (return) to earth.

      In the focal passage from Matthew 24:3-14, Jesus gave several significant events that will occur at the beginning of this period. Religious deception will be very evident (vv. 4-5, 11). Wars and rumors of war will be experienced (v. 6). Famine will be widespread. Earthquakes will be prevalent. Persecution of Christians will occur resulting in their martyrdom. One positive is that “the gospel of the kingdom” will be preached throughout the whole world before the end comes. People of all nations will have an opportunity to hear and know about Jesus the Lord before the end comes. And who will help to hasten this fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy concerning the end times? This will be done by Christians who are faithful in telling those they know about salvation through belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. When Christians tell others, we help to hasten the day of the Lord’s coming. This task began very shortly after Jesus ascended into heaven. We recall the command Jesus gave His disciples: “Go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV).

      Followers of the Lord Jesus Christ have already been commissioned to be faithful in telling others of the good news of the Savior and of His return to earth. All of us may not go as ambassadors. But we all can be faithful in praying for those who go to preach and teach and we can give to support our mission causes around the world.

      Many, like the first disciples, ask “What are the signs of Your coming and of the close of the age?” We must admit that many of these signs have already occurred or are now occurring. In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus told His disciples: “You must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:34). Be ready. Be alert. But Christians should go beyond looking and wondering about the second coming of Christ. They should be about the task of spreading the Word and fulfilling the Great Commission to go and tell all people. This is the will of God concerning us as we anticipate the Day of Jesus’ return to earth. - Ethelene Dyer Jones 11.27.2016