We know how to watch for signs of the seasons. For example when the dark clouds are forming in the sky we know it is going to rain soon.
Meteorological Services send out weather forecasts from time to time to alert people to take precautions so as to minimize loss of lives and damage.
During the recent cyclone Katrina in the US, the relevant authorities gave warnings days in advance to the residents in its path for a total evacuation. But many people ignored the warning and clung to their dogs and cats and other possessions and did not budge. You know what happened. Many lives were lost. Yet, the people blamed the government and rescue workers for not coming to their aid fast enough to save their lives.
However, this prompts me to write the following about the early warning signs Jesus gave to people of all generations. These prophecies (forewarnings) were of greatest importance as they were given to save us from the impending peril in hell, the Lake of Fire, which will come upon all those who reject Jesus Christ as the Saviour and Lord of their lives.
All the following verses are taken from Matthew Chapter 24, of the Holy Bible, unless otherwise stated.
In verse 3, the disciples asked Jesus,
".. Will there be any sign ahead of time to signal your return and the end of the world?" Replying, Jesus said, "Don't let anyone mislead you,"
He added that the following events are going to happen like "birth pangs", i.e. these events will happen with increasing frequency and in greater magnitude, until He finally comes back again.
(Jesus is also referred to as Jesus Christ, Son of God, Lord, Redeemer, etc., in the Holy Bible.)
Every prophecy (fore-telling future events) which originates from infinite God must always come true no matter how long it takes, because God knows all things past, present and future and it involves divine power to fulfill them. Therefore they are trustworthy.
Fortune telling originates from finite man whose knowledge is limited. Thus its fulfillment depends on chance circumstances and does not involve divine power nor can be trusted.
in Matthew chapter 24
verse 5, "For many will come claiming to be the Messiah, and will lead many astray". verse 11, "And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people astray". This is another sign pointing towards the Second Coming of Jesus.
verse 6-7, "And wars will break out near and far, but don't panic. Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately. The nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other...". This is also another sign pointing towards the Second Coming of Jesus.
One can see from the following table the frequency of wars increasing as the years go by, just as Jesus had foretold. Following data is obtained from HistoryGuy.com
Casualties are also mounting due to the sophisticated weapons used in modern warfare. One can read this from the daily newspapers. Many conflicts are still being fought around the world and new ones are waged. There are nations making hasty preparations for war against one another too.
verse 7, "... and there will be famines...". This is now happening in many countries around the world, for example, North Korea, some countries in Africa, Afghanistan, Iraq and many more. And the numbers are increasing each year according to newspaper reports. Read the Straits Times report on page 14 of Feb 8, 2002, "World expected to be hit by drought and flood... The return of El Nino whose full force will be felt in the coming months."
verse 7-8, "There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this will only the beginning of the horrors to come". As for the earthquakes the number and intensity increases as the years go by, just as Jesus had prophesied. The following information is obtained from: National Earthquake Information Center
See the following chart:
verse 9, "Then you (the followers of Jesus) will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to Me".
One should not be surprised when this happens because Jesus had already warned us. He said, Matthew 5:11-12, "God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too" .
Again He said in, John 15:10, "Since they persecuted Me, naturally they will persecute you". John 16:2, "..and indeed the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing God a service". These persecutions will intensify as we approach the Second Coming of Jesus.
verse 10, "And many will turn away from me, betray and hate each other". When the persecution becomes intense, the tendency is to deny that we belong to Jesus and thus betray and hate other Christians to find favor with our persecutors. This is another sign pointing to the Second Coming of Jesus.
verses 12,13, "Sin (Doing things that are displeasing to God), will be rampant everywhere and love of many will grow cold. But those who endure to the end will be saved". Revelation 22:11 "...vile will become more vile; good men will be better; those who are holy will continue on in greater holiness".
verse 14 "And the Good News about the Kingdom of God will be preached throughout the world, so that all nations will hear it... and then finally, the end will come".
In summary, what Jesus foretold is already happening in many parts of the world today. He told His disciples,
"I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe Me" (John 14:29).
"And just as it is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died only once as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again but not to deal with our sins. This time he will bring salvation (saving from the power and effects of sin) to all those who are eagerly waiting for Him" (Hebrews 9:27-28).
These are all signs preceding His imminent return. And if you postpone or reject Him this time, most probably you will miss the last chance and never get in.
You may be asking,
Jesus says,
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father (God) but through Me" (John 14:6).
Secondly, you don't want to miss the last chance.
Well dear friend, if you so desire to want to receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord, here is how you could receive Him: How to receive Jesus as my Saviour and Lord?