The Bible speaks of many signs that will precede the end of the age and the return of Jesus Christ. While we cannot know the exact time when Christ will return, Scripture gives us many indicators to watch for that reveal the season of His coming. Some major signs that indicate we are living in the end times and nearing Christ’s return include:
1. Increased wickedness and lawlessness
The Bible tells us that in the last days people will become more and more wicked, evil, and lawless (2 Timothy 3:1-5, Matthew 24:12). We will see a rise in evil, injustice, violence, sexual immorality, occult practices, rejection of authority, and overall disregard for God’s laws and ways. This increasing wickedness indicates that we are nearing the end times.
2. Natural disasters and extreme weather
Jesus said there will be an increase in earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places as the end draws near (Matthew 24:7). Natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, and earthquakes will become more frequent and more intense. This pattern reveals the world is groaning under the weight of sin as the end approaches (Romans 8:22).
3. Wars and rumors of wars
Nation will rise against nation in the last days, according to Jesus (Matthew 24:6-7). We will see an escalation of wars, uprisings, and ethnic conflicts around the world. Geopolitical tensions will heighten. This points to the world being in turmoil as the end times approach.
4. Famine and economic turmoil
Despite technological advancements, the end times will be marked by famines in various places, according to Jesus (Matthew 24:7). Poor crop yields, droughts, diseases affecting livestock, political instabilities, wars, and natural disasters will contribute to food shortages globally. Economic crashes and financial turmoil will also characterize the end times (Revelation 6:5-6).
5. Persecution of believers
In the last days, Christians will be hated, persecuted, arrested, tortured, and killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:9-13). This global persecution of believers has already begun and will intensify as the end nears. Standing firm in Christ will require enduring hardship and rejection.
6. False messiahs and prophets
Jesus warned many false messiahs and false prophets will come in the last days, deceiving multitudes of people (Matthew 24:4-5, 11). Cults will rise that deny Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. Many will be led astray by these counterfeit teachers who perform signs and wonders.
7. Spiritual apathy and falling away
There will be a general lack of love, cold-hearted indifference, cynicism, and disinterest toward the things of God in the end times. Even believers will fall away from the faith as lawlessness abounds (Matthew 24:12). However, those enduring to the end in faith will be saved (Matthew 24:13).
8. Rapid technological advances
The exponential growth of knowledge and advancements in technology, transportation, and communications in the last century coincide with end time biblical prophecies about an increase in people going to and fro and knowledge increasing (Daniel 12:4). Technological capabilities point to the soon return of Christ.
9. Focus on Israel
Increased focus on Israel and Jerusalem, including efforts to make Israel a nation (fulfilled in 1948) and to rebuild the Jewish temple, reveal the nearing of Christ’s return. End time prophecy focuses on Israel, and Christ’s second coming will happen when Israel welcomes Him as Messiah.
10. One world government
The Antichrist will gain political and economic control over every nation on earth. He will dominate worldwide commerce and force people to receive his mark to buy or sell (Revelation 13:16-17). The push for globalism, one world currency, and loss of national sovereignty point to this endtime prophecy being fulfilled.
11. One world religious system
Along with a one world government will come a one world religious system led from Rome by the false prophet (Revelation 13:11-15). All religions will unite under this end time false church. The ecumenical movement sets the stage for Satan’s end time deception.
12. Gospel preached to all nations
Before the end, the Gospel of the kingdom will be preached to the whole world as a testimony to all nations (Matthew 24:14). Today, portions or the entire Bible have been translated into over 3,312 languages. The Gospel can now reach billions worldwide, pointing to the nearness of Christ’s return.
13. Outpouring of the Holy Spirit and revival
Despite the growing wickedness of the age, the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon all people in the last days, empowering many to prophesy, have visions, and boldly proclaim the Gospel (Joel 2:28-32, Acts 2:17-21). Fresh and dynamic revival will continue spreading in various places in these end times.
14. Increased knowledge and travel
Daniel 12:4 prophesies that the end times will be characterized by a significant increase in knowledge and people traveling back and forth. The invention of the printing press, automobile, airplane, and internet along with discoveries in science, medicine, technologies, archeology, and astronomy in the last century point to our time in history.
15. Existence of Israel
After nearly two millennia of Jewish dispersion and persecution, the rebirth of Israel as a Jewish nation in 1948 is one of the most significant fulfillments of end time prophecy and signals we are nearing the return of Christ (Ezekiel 37, Luke 21:29-32). Israel continues to play a key role in the end times.
16. Rebuilding of the temple
The Bible prophesies that the Jewish temple, destroyed in 70 AD, will be rebuilt in Jerusalem (Daniel 9:27, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Revelation 11:1-2). Preparations are already underway for rebuilding the temple, anticipating the fulfillment of this major end time sign before Christ returns.
17. Denial of a global flood and the day of the Lord
Scoffers will come in the last days walking according to their own sinful desires and denying the Second Coming. They will deny Jesus’ return, the existence of hell, the worldwide Noahic flood, and the coming final judgment (2 Peter 3:3-7). Society’s denial of these truths indicates the end time has come.
18. Surrounding Jerusalem by armies
Luke 21:20 prophesies that Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies at a time when the city’s desolation is near. With conflicts surrounding Jerusalem and efforts seeking to divide Israel’s land, this significant prophecy indicates we are on the brink of Christ’s return.
19. Signs in the heavens
Strange astronomical events and signs in the skies will precede Jesus’ return. Joel 2:30-31 describes the sun darkened, moon turning to blood, and stars falling from heaven. While blood moons and eclipses have coincided with major events in Israel’s history, one day the skies will roar with signs announcing Christ’s arrival (Revelation 6:12-14).
20. Increased human depravity
The Apostle Paul wrote that the last days will be “terrible times” marked by people being “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:1-4). The rise in narcissism and lack of conscience among people indicate we are in the last days.
21. Apostasy in the church
The Bible warns about apostasy spreading through the church in the last days. False prophets will lead many astray and betrayals will abound (2 Thessalonians 2:3, Matthew 24:10-12). There will be counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12) along with a growing number of doctrinal errors and heresies embraced even by popular preachers and entire denominations. This indicates the end time has come.
22. Turning away from truth
There will be a deliberate rejection of truth in the last days and a turning to myths, mysticism, and doctrines of demons propagated by deceiving spirits (1 Timothy 4:1-2, 2 Timothy 4:3-4). Ungodly lifestyles and addiction to all kinds of counterfeit pleasures will increase. Society’s embrace of deception confirms it is on the brink of the end times.
23. Mockers of Christ’s return
Denial, cynicism, and scoffing at Christ’s return or God’s judgment will be prevalent in the end times. This mockery of biblical prophecy reveals the times we are living in. However, for true believers this is a reminder to keep looking for the blessed hope and coming of Jesus (Titus 2:13).
24. Rise of cults and false religions
Cults will flourish in the end times, as Satan organizes counterfeit groups focused on false doctrine. Prevalence of Eastern religions, New Age mysticism, goddess worship, psychics, spiritism, and belief in reincarnation indicate an alignment with end time conditions described in Scripture’s warnings about deception.
25. Worldwide proclamation of the Gospel
Before the Lord returns, the whole world will have an opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel. Scripture foretold of our era when the message of salvation would go global, being preached and published worldwide before the end comes (Matthew 24:14). Today’s mass media and internet allow spreading the Gospel rapidly.
While we cannot know the day or hour of Christ’s return, we can recognize the season described in God’s Word. The accumulation of so many signs indicates we are living in the end times. Jesus promised His followers that when we see these signs happening, we can know His return is near. While the world groans under sin’s weight, anticipation builds for the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).
