Signs of the End Times

Let me preface by saying that no one knows the day or the hour at which christ will return. God has designed that way. It is intentional. So, much of what is written about the signs of the end times is meant to be somewhat vague. And I am no student of eschatology (the study of the end times). I am relying heavily on other sources, and even those say different things.

Remember that jesus' followers were expecting Him to deliver them from the oppression of the Roman government and to establish his kingdom on earth immediately. They wanted to know, as we do today, when to expect the coming kingdom. Jesus spoke of many signs...false prophets, earthquakes, famines, wars, persecution, etc., as well as signs in the heavens that will affect the tides and cause "roaring and tossing of the sea". Scripture says the sun will be darkened and the moon turn blood red. Recall that Jesus' first coming involved a spectacular sign in the heavens (the star of Bethlehem), so this phenomenon should not surprise us.

As was common in Old Testament prophecy, there was both a near future and distant future fulfillment. The near future fulfillment occurred in 70 AD when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. But some of what Jesus spoke of could not have referred to that event, specifically the part about His return on the clouds. This is believed to refer to what we know as the "Second Coming" when Jesus will return to earth to set up his millennial kingdom prior to the final battle of Armageddon.

Luke's chapter for today concludes with the statement "I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place". What does this mean? He can't have meant the generation that was alive at the time, because we know the second coming has not yet occurred. Some believe that He was referring to the destruction of jerusalem in 70 AD, which was the near fulfillment of the prophecy. Others believe that it refers to the generation alive at the time of the signs...essentially that once the signs kick in, the end will come quickly (within the lifespan of that generation). Prior to any of these signs, there are many prerequisites, one of which is that the gospel must be preached to all nations. Some believe that this occurred with the original disciples who went out to preach the gospel to the known world. Others believe we have yet to fulfill that charge, though I did read that roughly 98% of the world has a complete or partial translation of the Bible available in their language.

Many who study eschatology believe that we are in the end times, as evidence of many of these signs are surfacing. The year 2012 has come up for discussion, but anyone who tells you they know when it will happen is automatically wrong. We are not to know the day or hour...

Tomorrow's reading: Mark 13: 32-37; Luke 21:34-38; Matt. 24:36-25:46