What are the signs that tell us that Jesus’ return is near?
In Matthew 24, Jesus talked about men claiming to be Him. Wars and rumors of
wars. He references the days of Noah, a time when men’s evil bent had run amok.
No doubt, the days we live in are very similar. But when this happens, the end
is not yet. Famines, earthquakes, pestilences around the world – these are the
beginning of sorrows. Then things start to get real – real bad. Christians
hated because of their relationship with Jesus. Can you say ISIS? My heart
breaks for the families of these 21 Coptic Christians beheaded simply because
of their faith in Jesus. My heart burns at the powers that be that sit idly by
and do nothing to protect these people and refuse to even acknowledge that
their deaths were caused by radical Muslims who hate Christians and Jews. Jesus
also says that many will be offended by Christians standing on their biblical
beliefs and standing against all that is ungodly. Sound familiar? False
prophets will multiply – prophets who tell us that they have a new revelation,
that the Bible is wrong or has been wrongly translated or interpreted, that
Christianity is outdated and irrelevant. And because of all this, lawlessness
will abound, and the love of many will fade.
Wow! In my opinion, Jesus was looking at 21st
century America. Of course, many, if not all of these things, have happened in
other parts of the world before now, but it seems that it is more widespread
than ever before. Add to all of this that since the time Jesus spoke these
words, Israel was destroyed and basically disappeared for 2000 years, and now
it is becoming one of the strongest nations in the Middle East (military and
economically, anyway). Truly the Jewish people are causing the deserts to
bloom. How many times since 1948 has Israel faced military annihilation with
overwhelming forces coming against them only to come through the fray as
victors? The only way any of this is possible is because God’s hand has covered
this nation. Why? Because Israel is the epicenter of God’s plan in the last
days. In fact, His plan has been set in motion for the purpose of bringing the
Jews back to the Holy Land (a fulfillment of prophecy) and drawing them to
their Messiah. And when Jesus returns, many eyes will be opened and Israel will
be awakened spiritually. A great revival will begin and the Old Testament
people of God will become the true people of God, born again by the Spirit,
trusting in their true Messiah – His name is Jesus!
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