Matthew 24:5–8 provides some key indicators for predicting the end of the world: "Many will come in my name and pretend to be the Christ, deceiving many." You will hear reports of wars and rumours of warfare, but do not be concerned. Such events are unavoidable, but the end is yet to arrive. Nations will rise up against one another, and kingdoms will rise up against one another. Famines and earthquakes will occur in numerous locations. All of this is the start of labour pains." Famines, plagues, and natural calamities are indications of the end times, as are an increase in false messiahs, conflict, and famines. However, we are warned in this text not to be fooled, because these events are simply the beginning of the birth pains; the end is still to come.
Every earthquake, every political turmoil, and every attack on Israel, according to some interpretations, is a solid indicator that the end times are swiftly approaching. While the occurrences may indicate that the end times are approaching, they are not always evidence that they have arrived. The apostle Paul predicted that in the last days, there would be a significant growth in false teaching. "The Spirit clearly states that some will abandon their faith in coming times and pursue misleading spirits and things taught by devils" (1 Timothy 4:1). Because of man's progressively corrupt disposition and people who deliberately "oppose the truth" (2 Timothy 3:1–9; see also 2 Thessalonians 2:3), the final days are defined as "perilous times."
A restoration of a Jewish temple in Jerusalem, greater hatred toward Israel, and progress toward a one-world government are all plausible indicators. The nation of Israel, on the other hand, is the most visible indicator of the end times. For the first time since AD 70, Israel was recognised as an independent state in 1948. God promised Abraham's descendants "everlasting possession" of Canaan (Genesis 17:8), and Ezekiel foretold Israel's physical and spiritual revival (Ezekiel 37). Because of Israel's centrality in eschatology, having Israel as a country in its own land is critical in light of end-times prophecy (Daniel 10:14; 11:41; Revelation 11:8).
We can be knowledgeable and discriminating in our anticipation of the end times if we keep these indicators in mind. However, none of these one-of-a-kind occurrences should be interpreted as a forewarning of the imminent approach of the end times. God has provided us with sufficient information to enable us to be prepared, and it is to this end that we are called as our hearts cry out, "Come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).
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