We are not living in normal times, and a majority of the world knows it. As I am writing this article, the coronavirus is dominating the headlines and is impacting 6 out of 7 continents. Earthquakes, volcanoes, record flooding, insane weather patterns, record high and low temperatures, locust invasions, and other plagues popping up worldwide are catching the majority of the world’s eye.
People see something is happening, and they are asking the question: “What in the world is going on?” But instead of looking to the right source for the answer, the world is listening to the lie the world leaders and elite are giving them.
The answer to “What in the world is going on?” is found in one place: the Holy Bible! But how do we tell those around us who we love and care about (family, friends, coworkers, etc.) the truth and have them take us seriously? The answer is we have to show them the evidence in the Bible!
John 14:29 KJV – “And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.”
We must study the Scriptures, having in our hearts and mind always! That is why it is crucial to make sure we know the Word of God and be ready to give them an answer:
1 Peter 3:15 KJV – “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Scoffers and Mockers – 2 Peter 3:3-4
First things first, when you are talking with someone about the issues that are dominating headlines all over the world, and you explain that these are the signs of the times, the typical response is often one of ridicule. You will get something like this: “People have been saying for generations that Jesus is coming back, and nothing happens. Things will continue as normal.” Most likely, they will say this as well: “The earth goes through changes every few thousand years, and this is just part of the cycle.” We can thank the climate change agenda and the global warming agenda for this.
This is your opportunity to use the Bible already because what they have just said is an indicator that we are living in the final moments. You can take the words right out of their own mouth and show them what the Bible records:
2 Peter 3:3-4 KJV – “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”
Not that you are calling them a scoffer or mocker, but simply show them this is exactly what people would say in the last days, and they are saying it now!
Character of Mankind – 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Next, take them to 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Have them read it with you and ask them if this is happening now more than any other generation…
2 Timothy 3:1-5 KJV – “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
More than ever, with the increase in technology and the explosion of Social Media, we see this happening before our very eyes.
I have gone into full detail on this in my article: “The ‘All About Me’ Generation.” Read it here.
Fig Tree Prophecy – Matthew 24:32-34
One of the most astonishing Prophecies you can present a skeptic or unbeliever to show them we are on the cusp of the Lord’s Return is the existence of the Jewish state, Israel. Jesus gives a major marker of what will be the final generation in what is commonly known as the ‘Parable of the Fig Tree’:
Matthew 24:32-34 KJV – “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”
Many students of Bible Prophecy will agree the Fig tree is representative of the nation of Israel. This parable clearly refers to Israel officially becoming a nation. This occurred on May 14, 1948. This miraculous event was prophesied over 2,500 years ago in the Bible, where we’re told that the Jewish people would come back into their land and become a nation again in a single day (Isaiah 66:8)!
Notice, after Jesus mentions Israel becoming a nation again, he explains that that generation shall not pass until all these things be fulfilled.
Simply put, Jesus was saying the generation that witnesses Israel officially becoming a nation again (which occurred May 14, 1948) would be the last generation before His Second Coming to earth. That’s amazing! We are the generation that saw this!
Now how long is a generation? Well, Psalms 90:10 gives us a clue in the possible timing that 70-80 years is a generation. The exact timing isn’t important. The bottom line is the Jewish State is God’s timepiece. The fact it has been almost 72 years since Israel became a nation, should put us all on the edge of our seats!
Olivet Discourse – Matthew 24:3-8
Besides the re-establishment of Israel on May 14, 1948, as one of the top signs of the soon return of Jesus Christ, another section of scripture all of us should memorize and familiarize ourselves with, is known as the Olivet Discourse found in Matthew 24. Jesus Disciples asked Him what the signs of the end would be and from His own mouth, Jesus tells them:
Matthew 24:3-8 KJV – “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”
Now let’s dissect it together and ask ourselves the question… are we seeing this now?
Remember, Jesus is telling His disciples the things that would precede His Second Coming at the end of the seven-year Tribulation period. The Rapture occurs before the Tribulation even starts (Revelation 3:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9). The fact we are seeing these things beginning to come to pass now means our redemption draws nigh.
First, Jesus tells them many will come in my name, saying I am Christ and shall deceive many (Matthew 24:5). This is a no brainer, in the last decade alone, hundreds of Cults and self-proclaimed prophets have claimed they are Christ and are deceiving millions. All you have to do is look them up online, and you will find them. Often times, they have thousands of followers. There have always been False-Christs and False-Prophets since Jesus ascended to the Father, but today it is at an exponential increase like never before.
Next, Jesus says there will be wars and rumours of wars… another translation renders it ‘threats of wars’ (Matthew 24:6). This is also a no brainer. Since the time of Christ, thousands of wars have taken place, and with World War I and world war II killing over 100 million people combined, it’s safe to say this has happened and continues to happen now.
Today, it’s hard to keep up with the constant threats of wars that occur on a daily basis, and with the weapons possessed today, in the event of a third world war, it would make the weaponry of the first two world wars look like firecrackers.
Jesus then goes on to say that there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places (Matthew 24:7). Again, as I am writing this article, the coronavirus is raging in 6 of the 7 continents with no sign of stopping.
Besides the coronavirus, there are over ten other plagues and viruses across the world that are popping up that have the potential to impact millions.
Locust swarms are also ravaging across the Middle East and North Africa with no sign of stopping. This could create a significant famine in the coming weeks and months.
Earthquake activity is on the rise like never before. When you look at charts of the number of Earthquakes on a daily basis over a 3.0 magnitude, you will see it is growing by the year. Earthquake swarms are increasing in intensity and frequency all over the world. Leading up until Jesus second coming, it’s only going to get worse.
The Bottom Line
Here is the bottom line: the answers are all in the Bible, and Jesus gives us another command on what to do when we see these things happening:
Luke 21:28 KJV – “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Jesus didn’t say when these things have already passed; He said when they BEGIN to come to pass, then look up! Guess what folks… these things are beginning to come to pass now!
It’s my prayer that this article has helped equip you to share the message of Bible Prophecy with unbelieving and skeptical family members, friends, coworkers, etc.! This is just a small percentage of some of the Scriptures I have memorized to share with people. There are many, many more!
Study yourself and keep planting seeds! Jesus is Coming soon! We need to tell people: “Today is the day of salvation! Repent, believe the Gospel, and be converted to a new life in Jesus Christ today!” Let us share with them the Gospel of our Salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 10:9-10) because tomorrow is not promised! Keep looking up. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, is coming soon!
