For a long time now, I have been seeing signs that the end of this world, as foretold in the Bible, is near. In fact, several years back I wrote an article for Yahoo about that topic. Now, even more signs are appearing, and I feel a need to warn people. But, how to do that? As I thought about that question for a time, I decided the best way is to let the Bible speak for itself, so here are some of the warnings taken directly from scripture.
It Begins
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (Msg) Don't be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They'll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they're animals. Stay clear of these people.
Matthew 24:12 (ESV) And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
2 Peter 3:3 (NCV) It is most important for you to understand what will happen in the last days. People will laugh at you. They will live doing the evil things they want to do.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NCV) because the time will come when people will not listen to the true teaching but will find many more teachers who please them by saying the things they want to hear. They will stop listening to the truth and will begin to follow false stories.
Matthew 24:7 (ESV) For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
Daniel 12:4b (KJV) Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
1 Timothy 4:1 (ESV) Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
Joel 2:30-31 (GNT) I will give warnings of that day in the sky and on the earth; there will be bloodshed, fire, and clouds of smoke.
Matthew 24:37 (ESV) For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
What was the earth like then?
~ Genesis 6:11 (ESV) Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was
filled with violence.
~ Genesis 6:5 (ESV) The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth,
and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Matthew 24:8 (ESV) All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
Still to Come
Luke 21:11 (ESV) There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.
Luke 21:25 (NIV) There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
Revelation 13:16-17 (NIV) Also it [the Beast] causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.
Luke 17:34-36 (ESV) “I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.”
The Final Information
Matthew 24:14 (ESV) And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:31 (ESV) And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
2 Peter 3:10 (NLT) But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgment.
Revelation 1:7 (ESV) Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
Mark 13:32 (NCV) No one knows when that day or time will be, not the angels in heaven, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.
Jesus himself spoke about the end times. He said a lot of the same things listed above. Read his words from Matthew 24:3-14 (NLT):
Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Messiah.' They will lead many astray.
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, and there will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.
But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come.
"Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me.
And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.
And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people astray.
Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.
But those who endure to the end will be saved.
And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come.
Luke 21:28 tells us that when we see these “last things” happening we should “look up.” The end is near, but has not arrived yet. These events are called “birth pangs,” which signal the end is near. The Bible assures us “These things must come to pass” (Matt. 24:6). Do you see these things happening around us? Have you read the headlines? Do you think the Bible relates to us and our times?
But why is it taking so long? The Bible made it sound like it would be within a short time of Jesus’ life and death, yet we are still here, millennia later. 2 Peter 3:9 explains; God withholds judgement for a long time to give people as much time as possible to see the truth of the Bible and trust Him.
That’s what the entire Bible is about: how much God loves us and how he has made a way for us to be part of his family. God even sent his own Son to “translate” the message of the Bible for us, to help us understand that plan.
So, are we in the “last days”? Matthew 25:13 states no one knows when the end will actually happen, but the signs will be there for all to see. Signs that warn us to “look up” and see what God has been trying to get through to people for all these years. He is here, he has a plan, and we are all part of it! What do you think?
Bible Versions Quoted:
GNT - Good News Translation
NLT - New Living Translation
NCV - New Century Version
ESV - English Standard Version
KJV - King James Version
Msg - The Message