Ever wonder about the “end of the world?” What will it be like when it happens? When will it happen? Where are we on God’s prophetic clock? I realize not all are as interested in this at the same level but we are commanded to be watching the times.

Luke 21:36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may ^[a]be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Because I think about this a lot, I love to study end times prophecy with my Bible in one hand and my news sources in the other. It’s amazing to see the answers to these questions appearing before my very eyes. I think we’re pretty close to midnight.

I think of the verse in Daniel 12:4 But you, Daniel, close up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will dash about, and knowledge will increase.

For years I’ve believed the knowledge spoken of here was general knowledge. We know, of course, about the exponential multiplication of knowledge in our modern times, mainly due to computers. But the more I study prophecy, the more I believe this verse might include knowledge of the Scriptures as well. Passages of Scripture that I’ve read many times without understanding are suddenly understandable and obvious.

So many have told me that there is really nothing new today; that we’re just more aware of things happening because of our instant news, the internet, more sophisticated instruments and record keeping. Because of that, I’d like to lay a little groundwork to get us started on this subject.

Let’s look at one of the most well known Bible passages, frequently quoted when folks think about the end times:

Matt. 24:3-5 As he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered them, “Watch out that no one misleads you.  For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many.
When I’ve read this passage in the past, I’ve skimmed over this part because I personally have never met nor heard of anyone claiming to be Christ. However, just a cursory glance at Wikipedia’s records shows a staggering amount of people who have claimed to be Messiah or Christ! Who knew?

Matt.24:6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Make sure that you are not alarmed, for this must happen, but the end is still to come.
This almost needs no comment. Almost every day there is a new threat from some part of the world.

Matt.24:7 For nation will rise up in arms against nation,
This word “nation” is an interesting word.  In the language this text was written, Greek,  this word is “ethnos” or people groups. This passage is one that has recently come more alive to me, observing people groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, ISIL, IS, Al Qaeda and in America and beyond BLM and Antifa. Isn’t that interesting?

and kingdom against kingdom
Because kingdoms obviously have kings, this is actually the word our Western world would think of as “nation.” In today’s world we can watch Russia vs. Ukraine, South vs. North Korea, China vs. Japan, India vs. Pakistan and more.

and there will be famines
This is another that almost needs no comment. Famine has been going on for millennia but never have we seen food shortages like we’re beginning to experience today. The sheer increase in the world’s population would lead to that but then we also have to factor in the insane weather patterns that are prohibiting farming across the globe.

Even here in America, the past several growing seasons have been either so cold, so dry or so wet that our food production is suffering as prices for that food rise.

We get a lot of our food from California that is currently in a drought crisis. And Lake Mead in Nevada is at all time low threatening millions of people downstream with water shortages. I guess we won’t even talk about the dozens of food manufacturing plants that have mysteriously been destroyed.

and earthquakes in various places.
This is one of the things I hear the most skepticism about. “There have always been a lot of earthquakes,” they say. Statistics, however, tell the tale. Check this out. Notice all the earthquakes occurring, tracked by the USGS. Here is an old chart since 1900 showing the increase in earthquakes higher than 6.0:

That is nothing compared to this year! In 2022 we have already had hundreds of earthquakes 6.0 and above!  This year will continue the increase in the number of large earthquakes!

Matt.24:8 All these things are the beginning of birth pains
Just the beginning?? It boggles my mind to think of what’s ahead if the things we’re experiencing now are just the beginning.

There’s SO much to talk about! So many “signs” to consider.

Sometimes I find myself becoming anxious and somewhat fearful about these things but that is NOT the purpose of this blog. Mostly I feel excited. We’re getting closer and closer to Home!

What I have realized is, the more Scripture I have committed to memory, the more the Holy Spirit can bring to mind exactly what I need to quiet my heart. I encourage you to join me in dwelling on the truths of God’s Word as we delve into these subjects.

Psa. 119:105 Your word is a lamp to walk by, and a light to illumine my path.

Maranatha!