The frequency of natural catastrophes is increasing. The threat of war is on the rise internationally, in the Middle East, in Europe, and in the Far East. Christian beliefs are shrinking in western cultures and growing in formerly hostile nations. Israel faces growing threats and isolation.
The signs of the times are screaming that the end is close to anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear. This cacophony is getting louder and louder each day.
The signs themselves could easily become the focus of attention. Watching political trends may prompt some to react politically. Some people view emerging technologies as a threat and want to disconnect from the world. It’s true that the Lord motivates different individuals in different ways (using their gifts to be salt and light in their various spheres), however, perhaps a balanced approach is the best way to go. However, even as we discern meaning from the signs, the question remains: Am I consuming the news or am I being consumed by it?
Come Up Here Ministries’ main mission is to proclaim Jesus Christ’s imminent return. Since the beginning of our ministry in 2017, God has guided us toward that goal. Our core message has only become more vital considering its timely importance.
A trumpet will sound when Jesus hears His Father’s instruction, “Go, and get your bride.” When that happens, a trumpet will blow, and He will gather His elect from all four corners. In the blink of an eye, we will be taken up to meet Him in the air. As Jesus did after His resurrection, our mortal bodies will instantly become glorified, imperishable bodies. As a result, we will soon return to heaven to enjoy the marriage feast of the Lamb with our Bridegroom.
It’s one thing to believe those promises intellectually. It’s another thing to have our hearts, minds, and spirits overflow with anticipation.
The signs themselves are important, but only in their ability to lead us in the right direction. In other words, instead of focusing on the signs themselves, we should be looking at the events or the individuals they refer to. If we get too caught up in the humdrum of life, we may not even recognize the signs multiplying.
In my opinion, it’s worth taking a step back to see how previous generations of Christians saw the signs of Jesus’ return. The New Testament writers believed nearly 2,000 years ago that Jesus could return soon. They didn’t let their excitement distract them from preaching the Gospel and spreading it to nations remote from Israel. Indeed, their urgent hope served as a driving force behind their devoted service. Therefore, Paul traveled throughout Asia Minor and eagerly sought to visit Rome. That is why Thomas went to India to tell the Good News.
Followers of Christ who obtained and read the Scriptures for themselves throughout the Dark Ages (when private Bible ownership was forbidden, and translation was deemed a capital offense) realized that the promise of Jesus’ return is intrinsically linked to the Gospel message. Anyone who believes the Bible’s consistent testimony “reading and heeding” in the words of Revelation understands that He is coming soon.
As the 20th century dawned, many Christian writers testified to growing anticipation of God’s age-old promises coming true. It was believed that God would somehow make the Jews want to return to their ancient homeland. Although the Jews were dispersed around the world and integrated in places like France, Germany, Poland, and Russia, they foresaw a time when the Jewish Diaspora would clamor to go home, because that is what Ezekiel foretold. Despite the impossibility of a Jewish state resurrecting in a hostile Muslim world, or the Turkish caliphate holding the Holy Land their faith was never shaken. The Word of the Lord was accepted, and they simply awaited its ultimate fulfillment.
Before a war, leaders’ debate, send letters, and send notes, but the last thing they do is recall their ambassadors. For many centuries, God has had His ambassadors on Earth, calling men to ‘Be reconciled to God’ (2 Corinthians 5:20). However, just before the conflict starts, God will call home His ambassadors.
We are certainly called to serve as ambassadors here in the world. However, He will soon return to bring us home before He pours out His wrath on the earth. So, keep living for Him until then.
Throughout the past several years, the threat of a coming dictator has become evident again. Even if you don’t chase down the rabbit trail of the Covid protocol and heavy-handed government control, it’s a given that many would trade their liberties for the perceived security of a big government. Whether it’s policy, science, or medicine, we’ve learned that benevolence in these authorities is rare, and short-lived when it does appear.
There is nothing new under the sun.
Hundred years ago, Christians recognized that the world was on the cusp of calamities with prophetic significance; Hal Lindsey, Tim LaHaye, David Reagan, and others talked about how signs of the times pointed to the coming of Jesus beginning in the 70s and 80s. For 2,000 years, Christians have looked forward to the Rapture. What has changed?
We are witnessing the culmination of signs that have changed.
Today all the various signs are increasing in frequency and intensity. That is measurably true in the realm of natural signs. Storms and other natural disasters are happening more often, and with greater impact to human life. Societies are crumbling before our eyes. with the formerly Christian West rushing toward post-Christian secular humanism. Spiritual signs, both positive and negative, are multiplying. The nations of the world are tracking toward the anti-Israel alignment foretold in Bible prophecy. Technology has advanced to the point that the warnings offered in Revelation are feasible today.
And, overriding all of that, the presence of Israel on the world stage, and the growing isolation and animosity it is experiencing from the community of nations, fulfills Jesus’ prophecy of the cursed fig tree.
During an extended description of His promised second coming, Jesus said, “Now learn the parable from the fig tree; when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door” (Matthew 24:32-33).
Israel is that fig tree, as demonstrated repeatedly in Bible prophecy (Hosea 9:10, Jeremiah 8:13, Jeremiah 24, and Micah 4:4). It was cursed, cast aside, and exiled for an extended period because it did not bear much fruit, even though the time for it to bear much fruit had not yet come. But in just the past 75 years, Israel has become tender and put forth new leaves. Summer is coming and a bountiful harvest of fruit is promised.
The point for us is that this overriding sign the reestablishment of Israel, its re-possession of its ancient capital of Jerusalem, the growing animosity of the world that will lead to outright hostility against Israel (driving it to the end of itself and into the arms of God) tells us that He is near, right at the door.
Why did God tell us there would be signs to look for pointing to Jesus’ second coming?
He does not allow us to know the day or the hour, but He wants us to recognize the season of His return. (Matthew 16:2-3) Jesus blasted the people of His day for failing to recognize the signs of the times. He gave us several signs that point us to the return of Christ.
We are diligently serving the Master while He is away, but with the knowledge that He will return soon, we should ramp up our efforts in sharing the gospel and urging lost people to flee from the wrath to come.
Paul urged the Church in Rome — and by extension every follower of Jesus Christ — to “do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now, salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near” (Romans 13:11-14). His goal is to prevent the lost from slipping into oblivion without being alert to the devastation that awaits them.
God sends warnings before His wrath is poured out, as He did in Noah’s day, to Sodom and Gomorrah, and to Nineveh; in the end times a Gospel angel will fly above the earth crying out, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come” (Revelation 14:7).
In the world today, even those without the presence of the Holy Spirit can discern that something is missing in the world. Their hearts are like plowed ground, ready to receive seed. Our own discernment of the Signs of the Times should not ignite anxiety and frustration, but rather motivate us to plant and water and fertilize and weed, making disciples of all the nations.
There is much to be thankful for, that the Lord calls us each to serve in a way, a place, and a time where our gifts and talents can bring Him glory.
As a whole, however, our awareness of the Signs of the Times should motivate us all to realize that time is growing short. If the King really is coming soon, and very soon, then our lives should be oriented around that glorious truth.
There is a vast darkness covering the world in which we live. Injustice is rising and hope is growing weak. But Christians are not subject to darkness or hopelessness. We know who our Blessed Hope is; we already have the Light of life (John 8:12). Paul is so bold as to say, “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5a). We need to discern the signs of the times pointing to Jesus’ soon return.