The writers of Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, and 2 Timothy 3 gave us many signs of what will be happening near the end of this age. There are also some signs given as to what will take place after all believers are taken up to meet Jesus to be kept from the coming wrath. Even some Old Testament writers gave signs; however, most of them are post-rapture events. All the signs listed below have at one time or another been here; however, they have never all been present at the same time. (ESV – All Emphasis is Mine)
Wars and rumors of war, famines, pestilences, earthquakes in various places, signs in the heavens, false prophets and deceptive religions, wickedness and abounding lawlessness, hatred and betrayal, persecution of Christians, moral decay, and the love of pleasure rather than the love of God. Looking at the headlines of our daily newscasts, we see all these signs being present right now, and escalating daily.
Jesus told us we would not know the exact day or hour of the end of this age (Matthew 24:36); however, in Luke 21:28, He states, “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Of course, the naysayers are denying God’s Holy Word and claim it to be foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18). In 2 Peter 3:3-4, we read, “Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own desires. They will say, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.’”
What unbelievers fail to realize is actually explained in 2 Peter 3:9; “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you. Not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
We need to remember that God is not bound by earth time as we humans are. He made time for us in Genesis 1:3-4.
When Jesus was on this earth about 2,000 years ago, He had no illusions about what would be happening right up to the end of this age. He knew there would be many receiving and accepting His free gift that was given for all mankind, but not nearly as many as those who would reject Him for the so-called pleasures of this earth. Those so-called “pleasures” are Satan-inspired, and his deception will continue right up to when he is thrown into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:10).
Matthew 7:13-14; “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide, and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life; and those who find it are few.” The hard part is having faith and believing it to be true.
First, all who truly receive and accept Jesus as Savior will be indwelt by the Holy Spirit, which is verified by numerous books and verses of God’s Holy Word. In Joel 2:32, Acts 2:21, and Romans 10:13, we have the promise that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), and when He makes a promise, it will be kept.
Taking everything into consideration, we can safely say our Savior will be coming soon to take all believers off this earth to keep us from the coming wrath. His promise of “Your Redemption Is Drawing Nigh” is closer than ever, and we can almost hear the Trumpet of God and Shout from an archangel signaling we’re going Home (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53).
Even with all the negative happenings around this world, we should not be “fainting with fear,” as is happening among the unsaved. Yes, we are concerned by negative attitudes and the turning away from anything that pertains to our Lord and Savior, and everything but the true word of our Heavenly Father being given in pulpits by false prophets.
Paul’s warning to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 has become evident in some previously Bible-based churches. “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth, and wander off into myths.”
Just recently, there have been reports of “drag queens” conducting “services” and “gay pride” being celebrated with full acceptance by the attending members.
Therefore, saying “Jesus Is Coming Soon” is an accurate statement. In 1942, Robert Emmett Winsett (1/1876 – 6/1952) wrote a song with that title. Several Southern Gospel groups have recorded it, and it fits today’s atmosphere very well.
1.) Troublesome times are here, filling men’s hearts with fear; freedom we all hold dear, now is at stake. Humbling your heart to God, safe from the chastening rod, seek the way pilgrims trod; Christians Awake!
Ref.) Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon; many will meet their doom; trumpets will sound. All of the dead shall rise; righteous meet in the skies, going where no one dies, Heavenward Bound!
2.) Love of so many cold, losing their home of gold; this in God’s word is told, evil abounds. When these signs come to pass, nearing the end at last, it will come very fast; Trumpets Will Sound! (ref)
3.) Troubles will soon be o’er, happy forevermore, when we meet on that shore, free from all care. Rising up in the sky, telling this world goodbye, Homeward we then will fly, Glory To Share! (ref)
One point to emphasize is the fact made in 2 Peter 3:9 about God not wanting anyone to fail. We have the promise of forgiveness when we sin in 1 John 1:8-10. We must confess our sins, as God already knows what we have done, and ask His forgiveness.
There are several promises listed, such as Psalm 103:11-12; “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love for those who fear Him; as far as east is from west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.”
Isaiah 38:17; “Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness, but in love You have delivered my life from the pit of destruction; for you have cast all my sins behind Your back.”
Isaiah 44:22; “I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like mist; return to Me for I have redeemed you.”
Jeremiah 31:34; “And no longer shall each one teach his neighbors and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know Me from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
With these promises in mind, please be assured that no one has sinned so greatly that they cannot be forgiven. The steps to Salvation are found in Romans 10:9-13, and they apply to all who will truly call out to be forgiven and saved. What’s unforgivable is to pass from this earth without having Jesus as your Savior. That’s an automatic appointment at the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15.
Putting off calling out to Jesus until “tomorrow” could just be too late. He is available and waiting right now for all who could call out asking Him to be their eternal Shepherd.
Once we have received our forever immortal bodies and mindset such as our Savior has, we will never be prone to temptations and sin again. But for now, our pathway to forgiveness is absolutely there for us to choose. Don’t gamble with your forever; guarantee it by calling out now.
Shalom ‘bYeshua – Hamashiach! (Peace in Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah.)