Jesus gave a number of signs, major events that would occur to signal the “end of the age”. That does not mean the end of the world, but rather the end of this period of history. The signs are as follows:
Matthew 24:4-5 - False Christ’s deceiving many.
Revelation 6:2 - A conquering spirit is released, conquering many. This would mean nations and peoples that are being subdued, governments and world leaders being toppled.
Matthew 24:6 - Wars and rumors of wars. See also Rev. 6:3. Nations shall rise against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms.
Matthew 24:7, Revelation 6:5-6 - Famine, especially a loss of grains which is a staple food for the world, but not harming the oil or wine.
Matthew 24:7, Revelation 6:8 - Pestilence and death. The Revelation passage reveals death will come to one fourth of the earth. Today that would be nearly 2 billion people. The death will include those killed by pestilence (disease, sickness), by the sword (war and governments being toppled), hunger (famine) and beasts of the earth.
Luke 21:11 - Fearful sights (literally terrifying things) and great signs from heaven (the sky).
All of these are precursors to a great persecution that will be unleashed on the followers of Jesus Christ. Paul calls this the apostosia, the “falling away” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). This literally means a great defection of those who claimed to be Christians away from the true Messiah, Jesus. It’s apparent that the main reason for this defection will be the revelation and deception of the Antichrist as seen in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12.
The result is seen in Revelation 6:9-11, with the martyrdom of many faithful. Jesus describes this in detail in Matthew 24:9-13. His encouragement and instruction for those believers who face this time is found in Luke 21:13-19. I encourage all believers to review these scriptures and meditate on what the Lord has told us is coming. And soon.
Matthew 24:4-5 - False Christ’s deceiving many.
Revelation 6:2 - A conquering spirit is released, conquering many. This would mean nations and peoples that are being subdued, governments and world leaders being toppled.
Matthew 24:6 - Wars and rumors of wars. See also Rev. 6:3. Nations shall rise against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms.
Matthew 24:7, Revelation 6:5-6 - Famine, especially a loss of grains which is a staple food for the world, but not harming the oil or wine.
Matthew 24:7, Revelation 6:8 - Pestilence and death. The Revelation passage reveals death will come to one fourth of the earth. Today that would be nearly 2 billion people. The death will include those killed by pestilence (disease, sickness), by the sword (war and governments being toppled), hunger (famine) and beasts of the earth.
Luke 21:11 - Fearful sights (literally terrifying things) and great signs from heaven (the sky).
All of these are precursors to a great persecution that will be unleashed on the followers of Jesus Christ. Paul calls this the apostosia, the “falling away” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). This literally means a great defection of those who claimed to be Christians away from the true Messiah, Jesus. It’s apparent that the main reason for this defection will be the revelation and deception of the Antichrist as seen in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12.
The result is seen in Revelation 6:9-11, with the martyrdom of many faithful. Jesus describes this in detail in Matthew 24:9-13. His encouragement and instruction for those believers who face this time is found in Luke 21:13-19. I encourage all believers to review these scriptures and meditate on what the Lord has told us is coming. And soon.
