An increase in false messiahs, an increase in warfare, and increases in famines, plagues, and natural disasters—these are signs of the end times. In this passage, though, we are given a warning: we are not to be deceived, because these events are only the beginning of birth pains; the end is still to come.

1. Are we living in The End Times, what makes today
any different than all the other predicted End
Times, going back to The Revelation of St. John?
“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive
many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not
troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For
nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there
shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these
are the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:5–8
An increase in false messiahs, an increase in warfare, and increases in
famines, plagues, and natural disasters—these are signs of the end
times. In this passage, though, we are given a warning: we are not to
be deceived, because these events are only the beginning of birth pains;
the end is still to come.
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2. Some interpreters point to every earthquake, every political upheaval,
and every attack on Israel as a sure sign that the end times are rapidly
approaching. While the events may signal the approach of the last
days, they are not necessarily indicators that the end times have
arrived. The apostle Paul warned that the last days would bring a
marked increase in false teaching.
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” 1
Timothy 4:1
The last days are described as “perilous times” because of the
increasingly evil character of man and people who actively “oppose
the truth” (2 Timothy 3:1–9; see also 2 Thessalonians 2:3).
Other possible signs would include a rebuilding of a Jewish temple in
Jerusalem, increased hostility toward Israel, and advances toward a
one-world government. The most prominent sign of the end times,
however, is the nation of Israel.
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3. In 1948, Israel was recognized as a sovereign state, essentially for the
first time since AD 70. God promised Abraham that his posterity
would have Canaan as “an everlasting possession” (Genesis 17:8), and
Ezekiel prophesied a physical and spiritual resuscitation of Israel
(Ezekiel 37). Having Israel as a nation in its own land is important in
light of end-times prophecy because of Israel’s prominence in
eschatology (Daniel 10:14; 11:41; Revelation 11:8).
With these signs in mind, we can be wise and discerning in regard to
the expectation of the end times. We should not, however, interpret
any of these singular events as a clear indication of the soon arrival of
the end times. God has given us enough information that we can be
prepared. (Revelation 22:20).
The Bible prophesies of many events that will occur in the end times.
These events can be categorized as natural signs, spiritual signs,
sociological signs, technological signs, and political signs. We can look
to what the Bible says about these things, and, if the signs are present
in abundance, we can be certain that we are, in fact, living in the end
times.
Luke 21:11 lists some of the natural signs that will occur before Jesus’
second coming: “There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in
various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.”
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4. While we shouldn't interpret every natural disaster as a sign of the
end times, an increase in natural disasters seems to be a warm-up to
what is coming next—“birth pangs,” as Jesus called them (Matthew
24:8).
The Bible lists both positive and negative spiritual signs. In 2 Timothy
4:3–4 we discover that many people will follow false teachers. We see
now an increase in cultic groups, heresy, deception, and occultism,
with many choosing to follow New Age or pagan religions. On the
positive side, Joel 2:28–29 prophesies that there will be a great
outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled on the Day
of Pentecost (Acts 2:16), and we are still seeing the effects of that
outpouring in revivals and Spirit-led Christian movements, and in the
worldwide preaching of the gospel message.
Along with the signs in the natural and spiritual realms, there are
signs in society. The immorality rampant in society today is a
symptom of mankind’s rebellion against God. Abortion,
homosexuality, drug abuse and child molestation are proof that
“evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse” (2 Timothy 3:13).
We are now living in a hedonistic and materialistic society. People are
lovers of themselves—“looking out for number one”—and doing
what is right in their own eyes. All these things, and many more, can
be seen around us every day (2 Timothy 3:1–4).
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5. The fulfillment of some end-times prophecies seemed impossible until
the advent of modern technology. Some of the judgments in
Revelation are more easily imagined in a nuclear age. In Revelation 13,
the Antichrist is said to control commerce by forcing people to take
the mark of the beast, and, given today’s advances in computer chip
technology, the tools he will use may very well be here already. And
through the internet, radio, and television, the gospel can now be
proclaimed to the entire world (Mark 13:10).
There are political signs, the restoration of Israel to her land in 1948 is
the single most impressive fulfilled prophecy proving that we live in
the end times. At the turn of the 20th century, no one would have
dreamed that Israel would be back in her land, let alone occupying
Jerusalem. Jerusalem is definitely at the center of geopolitics and
stands alone against many enemies;
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6. “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all
that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of
the earth be gathered together against it.” Zechariah 12:3
Matthew 24:6–7 predicted that “nation will rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom.” “Wars and rumors of wars” are
characteristic of this present age.
These are just a few of the signs that we are living in the end of the
age. There are many more. God gave us these prophecies because He
does not want anyone to perish, and He always gives ample warning
before pouring out His wrath.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that
all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
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7. Man has been in the end times since Jesus ascended to Heaven, Paul
was under the impression that he was living in the end times as well.
“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be
changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the
trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall
be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (also - 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18)
No one knows when Jesus will return, what makes today different
from any other speculation of the end, is the time that has passed. We
get closure to the end everyday, the rapture could occur at any
moment. God will deal with sin either by grace or by wrath.
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not
the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36
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