Theology/End Times Prophecy

By Summer Lane

Photo: Deposit

In Matthew 24, Jesus gives a whole lot of clues about what things are going to be like in the End Times. And let’s face it: our world is often so chaotic and fear-driven that it certainly feels as if the end could come at any moment!

While Christians have eagerly anticipated the return of Jesus Christ since He initially departed to be with his Father in heaven following his crucifixion and then resurrection, there are some modern cultural and global developments that have led many Biblical scholars to believe that we may be the generation that is closest to the End Times than ever before.

Based on Jesus’s wise words in Matthew 24, here are the five BIGGEST signs to look for when you’re asking yourself if the End Times are right around the corner.

There will be great DECEPTION

“Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.” Matt. 24:4-5

In the last days, there will be an increase in deception and confusion! Theology will be muddied. False gospels and false prophets will abound. According to Jesus, “MANY” will come in His name, even going so far as to claim that they ARE him. We can see the beginning of this type of deception in our world today, as false teaching, shadowed counter-gospel movements, and even artificial intelligence has gained power.

Never before has the modern world been so theologically illiterate and, at the same time, hungry for spirituality and hope. This makes so many people especially vulnerable to deception.

There will be massive political upheaval

“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” Matt. 24:6a

Look around you. The world has devolved into global turmoil under the leadership of the Biden administration. Ukraine and Russia continue to bitterly battle in Eastern Europe. Meanwhile, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is headed to Russia to possibly ink an arms deal with Putin, all while the Chinese Communist Party has its sights set on continuing to weaken the U.S. from within.

We are, quite literally, perched on the precipice of World War III – and it would be a war unlike any other war we’ve seen, with a level of bloodshed and worldwide destruction that would be difficult to comprehend, thanks to the level of weaponry available among countries today.

This increasing violence and unrest are a sign of the times, according to Jesus. The end may not be here yet, but it’s definitely a prelude of things to come.

There will be famine and earthquakes

There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of birth pains. Matt. 24:6b-7

There is an indication here in Scripture that there will be a serious uptick in natural disasters as the last days march closer. Earthquakes top the list here (and we’ve seen plenty of them in the last few years – but it will only get worse), and famine. With China buying up American farmland left and right, tyrannical collectivism is just waiting to rear its ugly head. As organizations like the WEF salivate over worldwide depopulation and continue to push messages that encourage people to stop eating meat (eat bugs instead, they tell us!), famine will strike – and it will strike worldwide.

Christians will be increasingly persecuted

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” Matt. 24:9

Don’t be surprised that the world hates Christians. We are a stark contrast to the moral depravity running rampant in today’s society, and Jesus says that we will be “hated by all nations because of me.” If you’re wondering why culture seems to be so hostile to Christians, just look to the Bible. Historically, Christians are a deeply persecuted people – American liberty lifted that persecution for over 200 years, but it is coming back. Are you ready to face what’s coming next? It is an honor to be persecuted for the sake of Jesus Christ (Matt. 5:10-12).

There will be a catastrophic increase, worldwide, in the persecution of Christ followers in the lead-up to Earth’s final moments. Christians must stand strong and trust the Lord throughout it all.

Christians will turn from Christ and betray each other

^“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matt. 24:10-13

Are you worried about the dissension that we see around us today? I know I am! Everywhere I go – whether it’s churches or political groups – I seem to see SO MUCH infighting and bickering. There is no unity, no vision, and no forward-thinking mindset. By contrast, our enemies are very well organized and motivated.

Jesus tells us, point-blank, that we can expect to see more of this bad behavior from Christians as the end draws near. The church will grow weaker. Christians will grow fearful and they will turn their backs on Christ and on their brothers and sisters. Hatred will grow in their hearts.

But – there will be those who stand firm to the end, and Jesus says that they will be saved. Praise the Lord for that!

Matt. 24:15-31

¹⁵ “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’^[a] spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— ¹⁶ then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. ¹⁸ Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. ¹⁹ How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! ²⁰ Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. ²¹ For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.

²² “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. ²³ At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. ²⁴ For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ²⁵ See, I have told you ahead of time.

²⁶ “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. ²⁷ For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ²⁸ Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

²⁹ “Immediately after the distress of those days

“‘the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’^[b]

³⁰ “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth^[c] will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.^[d] 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

 Here is an interesting video about how lying will tie into the End Times from a solid Christian ministry, Living Waters: 

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The opinions in this article are specific to its author, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the entire Counter Culture Mom team. This specific article was written by Summer Lane, and may not be reproduced, except to quote for reviews or interviews, without the express permission of the author. 

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Summer Lane is the #1 bestselling author of 30 books, including the hit Collapse Series and Resurrection Series. She is an experienced journalist and columnist who reports on news within the U.S. and abroad. She is the Associate Editor for Right Side Broadcasting Network. Additionally, she analyzes politics and policies on The Write Revolution.

Summer is also a mom and wife who enjoys rural country living, herding cats, and gardening. She is passionate about writing about women’s issues, parenting, and politics from a theologically-grounded perspective that points readers to the good news of the gospel.

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