Overview of End Times Signs

Here is an overview of some the End Times Signs that point to the soon return of Jesus. These signs have notably increased in frequency during our lifetime, and they continue to appear in the news on a regular basis. Jesus compared these signs to “birth pangs” -- meaning that they will increase in frequency and intensity towards the end of the age.

1) Rebirth of the Nation of Israel:

One of the most important End Times signs is the Jewish survival of the Holocaust, and the re-emergence of the nation of Israel. Following the first century Roman conquest of the Holy Land, the Jews were banished from the land of Israel. The Romans renamed the area “Palestine” -- and then exiled its people to farthest corners of the Roman Empire.

Yet, in Ezekiel 37, God promised to bring the Jews out of exile, and to bring them back into the land of Israel. Not only did He promise to restore their nation, but God promised to do so by opening their “graves” at a time when the Jews would feel that “all hope is gone.” The aftermath of Hitler’s Holocaust of the Jewish people created these very conditions; nearly destroying an entire race of people and draining the hope of countless survivors. Out of the Holocaust, God brought the Jewish people back into the land of Israel, just as He had promised.

On May 14, 1948, the nation of Israel reappeared in fulfillment of not just Ezekiel 37:11-13, but countless Old Testament prophecies. Of all the signs of the End Times, the re-establishment of Israel as an independent nation is the clearest and most unmistakable sign that we are in the last of the last days.

2) Jerusalem is a "Burden for the World"

Another visible sign of the End Times is the world diplomatic struggle over Jerusalem. The prophet Zechariah foresaw this event centuries ago:

“I will make Jerusalem and Judah like an intoxicating drink

to all the nearby nations that send their armies to besiege Jerusalem.

On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone, a burden for the world.

None of the nations who try to lift it will escape unscathed.” Zechariah 12:2-3 (NLT)

Since 1967 when the Israelis retook Jerusalem in the Six Day War, the division of Jerusalem and ownership of the Temple Mount in particular, have been a source of countless U.N. resolutions, diplomatic crises, and calls for war. The struggle over the “Peace Process” in the Middle East is the stated number one priority of world diplomats -- and Jerusalem resides at the center of discussions about “land for peace.”

With the threat of World War III casting a shadow over every decision to rebuild Jewish settlements or expand Israeli society, the City of Jerusalem is no doubt “a burden for the world.”

3) Dramatic Increase in Travel and Knowledge

“But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end.

Many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.” Daniel 12:4 (NLT)

At the time the Book of Daniel was written, horses were the world’s the fastest mode of transportation. In fact, horses remained the world’s fastest mode of transportation for over 2,000 years until the Industrial Revolution spawned such innovations as the steam boat, the locomotive, and the horseless carriage. Prior to the 20th Century, most people rarely traveled more than 30 miles from where they were born. Today, people routinely travel from one continent to another within the same day. Today’s world is definitely not “the way it’s always been.” Frequency and speed of travel have markedly increased!

What about knowledge? In Daniel’s time, few people received a formal education. In fact, basic literacy was a foreign concept to all but an elite minority of the world until the past 100 to 150 years. Yet, in the past century alone, human knowledge of science, biology, technology, and countless fields of endeavor has exploded. And the advent of the Internet and Artificial Intelligence have created a worldwide archive of human knowledge that far exceeds even the wildest dreams of the great ancient civilizations.

4) Wars and “Rumors of War”

According to a Wikipedia list of wars, the past 500 years have witnessed an increase in the frequency of wars:

15th Century – 29 wars
16th Century – 59 wars
17th Century – 75 wars
18th Century – 69 wars
19th Century – 294 wars
20th Century – 278 wars

The first decade of the 21st Century has already witnessed 55 wars, putting humanity on course for 550 wars over the next one-hundred year period. Conflicts in the Middle East, including the Iraq War and Syrian Civil War, have destabilized entire regions and fueled sectarian tensions.

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and the tensions between China and Taiwan have increasingly caused the leaders of the world to raise fears of World War III and the possibility of global nuclear warfare.

5) Creation Showing “Birth Pangs”

Famines – A Sign of the End Times

The first decade of the 21st Century alone has already witnessed 12 famines, putting humanity on course for 120 famines over the next one-hundred year period. In fact, while the Roman Empire’s entire population at the time of Jesus is estimated to have been approximately 55 million people, the first half of the 20th Century alone witnessed these famines:

The 1921 famine in Russia (5 million+ dead)
The 1928-1929 famine in China (3 million+ dead)
The 1932-1933 famine in Ukraine (2.6 and 10 million+ dead)
The 1932-1933 famine in Kazakhstan (1.2 and 1.5 million+ dead)
The 1936 famine in China (5 million+ dead)
The 1942-1943 famine in China (1 million+ dead)
The 1946-1947 famine in the Soviet Union (1 million+ dead)

That’s an estimated 18.8 to 26.5 million who perished from famine just from these seven famines alone! And from 1959 to 1961, the Great Chinese Famine is estimated to have killed more than 36 million people. Famines have dramatically increased in both frequency and intensity since Jesus first answered His disciples’ questions.

Increase in Earthquakes:

While earthquakes are natural geological phenomena, there has been an observable increase in the frequency and intensity of earthquakes in recent years. Factors such as tectonic plate movements, volcanic activity, and human-induced seismicity contribute to earthquake occurrences. However, the rapid urbanization and population growth in seismically active regions exacerbate the impacts of earthquakes, leading to greater loss of life and infrastructure damage.

While it's essential to consider geological and scientific factors, there have been notable earthquakes in recent years, including the devastating earthquakes in Haiti (2010), Nepal (2015), and Mexico (2017), among others. According to a Wikipedia list of earthquakes, the past 500 years have witnessed the following number of earthquakes described as a magnitude 7.0 or greater:

15th Century – 2 earthquakes
16th Century – 3 earthquakes
17th Century – 7 earthquakes
18th Century – 13 earthquakes
19th Century – 29 earthquakes
20th Century – 123 earthquakes

The first decade of the 21st Century has already witnessed 144 earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.0 or greater, putting humanity on possible course for 1,440 such earthquakes over the next one-hundred year period.

6) Rise of the "Gog / Magog Alliance"

Yet another sign of the End Times is the current rise of the Gog / Magog Alliance.

The details of this future military alliance against Israel are found in the Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 38 and 39:

“This is another message that came to me from the Lord:

'Son of man, prophesy against Gog of the land of Magog, the prince who rules over the nations

of Meshech and Tubal. Give him this message from the Sovereign Lord: Gog, I am your enemy!

I will turn you around and put hooks into your jaws to lead you out to your destruction.

I will mobilize your troops and cavalry and make you a vast and mighty horde, all fully armed.

Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya will join you, too, with all their weapons.

Gomer and all its hordes will also join you along with the armies

of Beth-togarmah from the distant north and many others.'”

'Get ready; be prepared! Keep all the armies around you mobilized, and take command of them.

A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be lying in peace after her recovery from war and after the return of her people from many lands.

You and all your allies – a vast and awesome horde – will roll down on them like a storm and cover the land like a cloud.' Ezekiel 38

The nations cited in the verses above are associated with their Old Testament predecessors, but they all represent nations that exist today. Below is a list of those nations, each followed by its modern-day equivalent:

Magog, Meshech, and Tubal --- Russia
Persia --- Iran
Cush --- Ethiopia
Put --- Libya
Gomer --- Turkey
Beth-togarmah --- Turkey, Armenia, and the Turkish-speaking people of Asia Minor

According to God, Russia will mobilize a coalition that includes these nations in the last days. According to Strong’s Concordance, “in the distant future” is better translated as “achariyth shaneh” which means “end years.” Throughout human history, there’s never been a cooperative military alliance between the nations of Russia and Iran – at least until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Since then, a cooperative diplomatic and military alliance between Iran and Russia has formed and slowly expanded, ultimately leading to Russia’s assistance in providing Iran with the necessary support to make the Bushehr nuclear power plant operational in 2010.

7) The Rise of Global Government

“And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation.”

Revelation 13:7 (NLT)

Another sign of the End Times is the current trend toward globalization. According to the Book of Revelation, “globalization” will involve more than just multinational corporations and global commerce. One day, a single man will rule over all of the people and nations on the entire earth.

With each passing day, more and more nations are ceding their sovereignty to larger institutions, such as the European Union; the United Nations; the International Monetary Fund; and the World Economic Forum. As Artificial Intelligence continues to advance, we are quickly reaching a point where global totalitarian rule is not only possible -- but seemingly inevitable.

8) Deception and Fake News:

In today's digital age, the proliferation of misinformation and manipulation through various media platforms has reached unprecedented levels. Social media algorithms often prioritize engagement over accuracy, leading to the spread of sensationalized or outright false information. This phenomenon not only undermines trust in traditional news sources but also fuels societal polarization and confusion.

The rise of “deepfake” technology poses an additional threat, enabling the creation of highly realistic but entirely fabricated audio and video content. These deceptive practices not only deceive individuals but also have the potential to sow discord and manipulate public opinion on a massive scale.

9) Antisemitism--Hatred of the Jewish People:

Antisemitism and discrimination against the Jewish people continues to manifest in various forms, and seems to be increasing in intensity. These behaviors range from overt hate speech and violence to more subtle forms of discrimination and stereotyping.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of antisemitic incidents around the world -- fueled by extremist Islamic and other ideologies, political tensions, and the social media “echo chambers”. Hatred of Jews often manifests in conspiracy theories scapegoating Jewish people for societal ills and denial of historical atrocities such as the Holocaust. Additionally, Israel's policies and actions are sometimes conflated with Judaism as a whole, leading to unjustified attacks against Jewish individuals and communities.

10) Sexual Immorality Causing Love to Grow Cold:

The erosion of traditional values; the normalization of casual sex; and the objectification of relationships contributes to the devaluation of genuine love and intimacy. In contemporary society, there is a pervasive culture of sexual openness and permissiveness. Traditional values regarding love, commitment, and fidelity are often overshadowed by a focus on instant gratification and hedonistic pursuits.

This shift in societal attitudes regarding sexuality has led to a diminishing sense of intimacy and commitment in relation-ships. Moreover, the prevalence of pornography and the “hookup culture” further exacerbates these trends, contributing to a desensitization to intimacy and a shallow understanding of love.

11) Rise of Transhumanism:

“Transhumanism” is a philosophical and cultural movement that advocates for the enhancement of human capabilities through the use of technology. The pursuit of enhancing human capabilities through technological advancements is blurring the lines between human and machine, potentially leading to ethical and existential dilemmas. Advancements such as genetic engineering, cyborg technologies, and artificial intelligence have the potential to improve human health, extend lifespan, and enhance cognitive abilities. However, critics raise concerns about ethical implications, potential inequalities, and existential risks.

12) Signs in the Sun, Moon, and Stars:

Observations of changes in natural phenomena such as the sun, moon, stars, planets, and climate patterns align with scientific findings on "climate change".

Rising global temperatures, melting polar ice caps, more frequent extreme weather events, and shifts in seasonal patterns are considered indicative of this. Climate scientists argue that human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes are primary contributors to these changes.

However, Jesus indicated to His disciples that these signs would occur at the End of the Age -- and they would point to His soon return.

13) Global Pandemics:

The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of the global population to infectious diseases and the interconnectedness of modern societies. The rapid spread of the virus across continents highlighted weaknesses in public health systems, preparedness, and coordination efforts.

The pandemic resulted in significant loss of life, overwhelmed healthcare systems, disrupted economies, and imposed widespread social restrictions. Emerging infectious diseases, driven by factors such as urbanization, travel, and environmental changes, pose ongoing threats to global health security. World leaders are calling for strengthening public health infra-structure, enhancing surveillance and response capacities, and promoting international cooperation for mitigating the impact of future pandemics.

14) Central Bank Digital Currency:

The concept of the "Mark of the Beast" originates from the Book of Revelation 13:16-18, which describes a mark placed on people by the Antichrist or the Beast, without which they cannot buy or sell. Throughout history, there have been various interpretations of what this mark might be, ranging from a literal physical mark to symbolic representations. Some interpretations in modern times have associated the mark of the beast with technology such as central bank digital currency and electronic payments. Here is a speculative interpretation of how digital currency could be seen as related to the “mark of the beast”:

Centralized Control: If a single centralized authority were to control a digital currency system, it could potentially have significant power over individuals' financial transactions. This could align with the idea of a central authority requiring compliance with certain ideologies or beliefs as a condition for participating in the economy, reminiscent of the mark of the beast's requirement for buying and selling.

Biometric Identification: Some digital currency systems or payment methods may use biometric data (such as fingerprints or iris scans) for authentication. If this authentication were tied to a particular ideology or belief system, it could be seen as a form of marking individuals who adhere to that system.

Implantable RFID Chips: While not widespread, there have been discussions about implantable RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chips for making payments or storing personal information. If such technology were to become more prevalent and were associated with a specific belief system or ideology, it could evoke comparisons to the mark of the beast.

Surveillance and Control: Digital currency transactions are inherently traceable. A system that enables extensive surveillance and control over financial activities could be perceived as fulfilling the prophecy of the mark of the beast, where individuals are monitored and controlled based on their economic activities.

15) Gospel Preached throughout the World

“And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world,

so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”

Jesus said that His Coming is preceded by the preaching of the Gospel “throughout the whole world.” In the time of Jesus, the Gospel was confined to a relatively small number of people in and around Israel. Much of the earth’s land mass was completely unknown to the disciples of Jesus, so the odds of the disciples preaching the Gospel of Christ “throughout the whole world” in their own time was quite remote.

Yet, 2,000 years later, the Gospel is preached in every nation and the Bible is translated in hundreds of languages. The Gospel of Christ is delivered through thousands of ministries via radio, cable TV, satellite, and the internet -- making our generation closer to preaching the Gospel “throughout the whole world” than any preceding generation.