We are living in a time unlike any other—a generation in which every major prophetic sign the Scriptures command us to watch for has converged and is intensifying before our eyes. This is not the stuff of speculation or sensationalism; it is the sober testimony of the prophetic word. The regathering of Israel in 1948 was not a mere political anomaly, but the direct fulfillment of promises spoken by God through the prophets thousands of years ago. Since that moment, every major sign has not only appeared but has accelerated in frequency and magnitude, exactly as foretold.
To remain ignorant of the words of the prophets, or to dismiss what is happening with Israel, the nations, and the Church in light of prophecy, is to choose darkness over light. In an age where biblical information is more accessible than ever, ignorance is inexcusable. Yet, in two decades among churches, I have rarely—if ever—heard a sermon on the Lord’s return. This silence is not neutral; it is dangerous. Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians are not optional reading for the curious—they are a dividing line between those who walk in the light and those who stumble in the dark:
“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:1-4)
Paul draws a sharp distinction: the world proclaims “Peace and Safety” even as it rushes toward sudden destruction. This very phrase—now echoing from the mouths of world leaders and politicians, especially regarding Jerusalem—is itself a prophetic sign. The world’s pursuit of peace apart from God is not progress; it is the prelude to judgment.
Birthpangs: The Intensifying Signs
Jesus described the approach of His return as the onset of birthpangs—sorrows that increase in both frequency and intensity. These are not random tragedies or cyclical events; they are the very signals He told us to expect. In Matthew 24, He lists them plainly:
- False teachers deceiving many in His name
- Wars and rumors of wars among the nations
- Famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in diverse places
These are not mere headlines—they are the beginning of sorrows, the labor pains that announce the nearness of the Day of the Lord. Since Israel’s regathering, every one of these signs has escalated globally. The proliferation of false teachers is not a minor inconvenience; it is a direct assault on the truth, and it is overrunning the visible church. Wars threaten on every continent. Natural disasters—famines, new plagues, and earthquakes—are increasing at a measurable, relentless pace. These are not to be dismissed or spiritualized away; they are God’s appointed signals.
“All these are the beginning of sorrows (birthpangs).”
(Matthew 24:8)
Persecution and the Age of Martyrs
After these birthpangs, Jesus warns of a worldwide persecution of believers. This is not a distant possibility; it is our present reality. The so-called “Age of Martyrs” is not ancient history. More Christians have been killed for their faith in the last century than in all previous centuries combined. In the Middle East, in China, and increasingly in the West, Christians are hated, marginalized, and targeted. The hatred is growing more vocal and more brazen by the year. To ignore this is to ignore the clear words of Christ:
“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”
(Matthew 24:9)
The Rise of False Prophets and Spiritual Coldness
While persecution rages, false prophets multiply. Their effect is devastating: “the love of many”—a phrase referring to God’s own people—“will grow cold.” This is not a theoretical danger. False teaching is not a secondary issue; it is a poison that chills the heart and undermines endurance. Jesus’ warning is explicit: only those who endure to the end will be saved. Endurance is not a work of the flesh, but the fruit of faith in God’s promise. To accept false teaching is to risk forfeiting the very salvation and joy that Christ has secured.
The Gospel Preached—Then the End
Amid these sorrows and deceptions, one positive sign stands out: the gospel of the kingdom is being preached in all the world as a witness to every nation. This is not a mere statistic; it is the final prerequisite before the end comes. The global proclamation of the gospel is God’s ordained means to bring history to its appointed climax—the return of Christ.
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
(Matthew 24:14)
The Purpose of Suffering: From Sorrow to Joy
These signs are not given to terrify the believer, but to awaken and prepare. The birthpangs are sorrowful, yes—but they are purposeful. Jesus likens them to a woman in labor: the pain is real, but it is not the end. When the child is born, the anguish is forgotten for joy. So it is with the Church. Our present suffering will be transformed into joy at His appearing—a joy that no one can take away.
“Ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy… I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”
(John 16:20, 22)
What Is Lost If We Ignore These Signs?
To disregard the prophetic signs—to treat them as irrelevant, or to explain them away—is to choose blindness. The result is not harmless ignorance, but spiritual darkness and unpreparedness. The one who ignores these warnings forfeits the clarity, hope, and urgency that God intends for His people. Worse, such neglect aligns us with the world’s futile pursuit of peace apart from God, a path that leads only to destruction. If we refuse to watch and endure, we risk missing the very salvation and joy that Christ has promised to those who love His appearing.
The Call: Watch and Be Ready
These converging signs are not a cause for despair, but a call to vigilance. They are God’s gracious wake-up call to His people. The world sees the same events and doubles down on its rebellion, seeking peace without the Prince of Peace. But for those who are in Christ, these signs are a summons to lift up our heads, for our redemption is drawing near.
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
(Luke 21:28)
This is not a time for complacency or compromise. The prophetic word is not a curiosity—it is a covenantal promise, a call to endurance, and a guarantee of our inheritance. Let us not be found among those who slumber in darkness, but among those who watch, endure, and rejoice at the nearness of our Lord. The time is short. The signs are clear. Our salvation is at hand.
