Signs of Christ's Coming, Part 1

The signs intended to alert the world to the Second Coming of Christ and the destruction of this present age are evident in nature, in the realm of human activity and life, and in the church. They are designed to touch all people wherever they are and whatever their physical conditions may be. In nature, the signs occur in the form of "great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven" (Luke 21:11; Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8). In the realm of human activities, there will be wars and rumors of wars and at the same time life and business as usual. {eople will be insensitive to the eschatological implications of such events (Matthew 24:6-7; Matthew 37-39; Luke 17:26-30). The moral fabric of human life will deteriorate so that people will become increasingly selfish, proud, abusive, disobedient, slanderous, pleasure-seeking, and the like (2 Timothy 3:1-9).

In the realm of the church, false christs and false prophets will appear; "the love of many will grow cold"; lawlessness will increase; and many will fall away (Matthew 24:5, Matthew 10-12). "Some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons." They will forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created (1 Timothy 4:1-3). Many will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

One of the most evident signs that the world is approaching its end is the appearance of the Antichrist within the church. The "man of lawlessness," as he is also called, who "opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship." He will also display all power and false signs and wonders, with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 7-12).

To be continued...

-Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,