“And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” – Luke 21:27
Signs in the Heavens
As we gather together, we notice that the Bible has much to say about signs in the heavens that will signal the end times. These celestial phenomena remind us to be vigilant and to prepare our hearts. God often uses these signs to alert us to His impending return. They serve as divine reminders that we should focus on our relationship with Him and not be consumed by the earthly distractions that often cloud our vision.
Matthew 24:29
“Immediately after the distress of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” – Matthew 24:29
Revelation 6:12
“I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red.” – Revelation 6:12
Joel 2:30
“I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke.” – Joel 2:30
Acts 2:20
“The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.” – Acts 2:20
Isaiah 13:10
“The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light; the rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.” – Isaiah 13:10
Wars and Rumors of Wars
In our lives, we often hear of conflicts and strife among nations. The Bible has foretold that these wars and rumors of wars are signs of the end times. These events should stir us to pray for peace and to lean on God’s understanding and guidance. Together, we can be more aware of our role as peacemakers in a world shaken by turmoil. This is our call to action, to be light in dark places.
Matthew 24:6
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” – Matthew 24:6
Revelation 11:14
“The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon!” – Revelation 11:14
Mark 13:7
“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” – Mark 13:7
Luke 21:9
“When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” – Luke 21:9
James 4:1
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” – James 4:1
Natural Disasters
Naturally, when we think of end time signs, we often hear about earthquakes, famines, and other disasters. The Bible speaks of these occurrences as indications of the birth pains leading up to the end. They remind us of the fragility of life and the importance of relying on God for peace and strength amid chaos. We are encouraged to support those affected and to remember that God is our ultimate refuge.
Matthew 24:7
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” – Matthew 24:7
Luke 21:11
“There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” – Luke 21:11
Revelation 16:18
“Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake.” – Revelation 16:18
Matthew 24:8
“All these are the beginning of birth pains.” – Matthew 24:8
Mark 13:8
“There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginnings of birth pains.” – Mark 13:8
The Spread of the Gospel
As we look forward to the end times, we also acknowledge the great commission given to us—to spread the Gospel. This is not just a sign of the end but also a heartwarming testament of God’s love reaching every corner of the world. It’s our mission to share this joy and hope with others, demonstrating a powerful way to prepare for His return. Each of us plays a role in this divine calling.
Matthew 24:14
“And this Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” – Matthew 24:14
Mark 13:10
“And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.” – Mark 13:10
Romans 10:14
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?” – Romans 10:14
Galatians 1:8
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!” – Galatians 1:8
Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” – Luke 4:18
Increased Wickedness
Friends, as we watch the world around us, we may notice an increase in wickedness and lawlessness. The Bible tells us that these signs should not surprise us. Instead, we should stand firm in our faith and uphold the truth of God’s word. Together, we can encourage one another to strive for righteousness, even when the world may seem contrary to our values. Our light shines brightest in darkness.
Matthew 24:12
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” – Matthew 24:12
2 Timothy 3:1
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.” – 2 Timothy 3:1
Revelation 22:11
“Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right, and let the holy person continue to be holy.” – Revelation 22:11
1 John 2:18
“Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come.” – 1 John 2:18
2 Peter 3:3
“First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.” – 2 Peter 3:3
Persecution of Believers
In these times, we may also witness an increase in persecution against believers. The Bible reminds us of the struggles we may face as followers of Christ. These tribulations can reinforce our strength in faith, encouraging us to stand firm even when faced with adversity. We are not alone in this fight; we have each other to uplift and support as we navigate through challenging times.
Matthew 24:9
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” – Matthew 24:9
2 Timothy 3:12
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” – 2 Timothy 3:12
John 15:20
“Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” – John 15:20
Luke 21:12
“But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.” – Luke 21:12
Revelation 2:10
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” – Revelation 2:10
The Return of Jesus
As we reflect on the signs of the end times, we are filled with hope because we know that Jesus will return for His people. This promise brings joy and anticipation as we live in expectation of that glorious day. Our faith is our anchor, reminding us to stay steadfast in our devotion and to share this news with others. Together, we look to the sky and rejoice in the knowledge of His second coming.
1 Thessalonians 4:16
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16
Titus 2:13
“While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” – Titus 2:13
Matthew 24:30
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” – Matthew 24:30
Revelation 22:20
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” – Revelation 22:20
Acts 1:11
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:11
Final Thoughts
As we look at these signs of the end times, we find both warnings and encouragement. Each sign calls us not only to awareness but also to action in our faith. We are invited to be prepared, to share the good news, and to stand firm even in challenging times. The knowledge that Jesus will return fills us with hope. We can encourage each other as we navigate this journey together.
We should take these matters seriously, remembering that every sign points us closer to our Lord’s return, compelling us to be active participants in our faith. We have a role to play in this unfolding story, seeking the light in a world that can often feel dark.
Let’s continue exploring together, learning more about these promises, and finding strength in God’s Word. For more about His promise to return, feel free to read about Jesus returning and Jesus coming.