Talking about the apocalypse carries some tension. The Bible speaks of the end of this world and the transition to a new heaven and a new earth, a redemptive story in which the corruption of this world is dramatically exposed before the next world is fully realized.
Passages like Matthew 24 and the Book of Revelation read like a fantasy or science-fiction novel, with epic images of creatures and beasts. These dramatic scenes have led to erroneous announcements by priests or so-called prophets about the imminent approach of the end in the near future. Those dates are all gone, and we can be pessimistic about ideas about the apocalypse.
Jesus tells us that we will not know the day or the hour. At the same time, he gives us certain signs that the end is coming soon. In the Sermon on the Mount of Olives in Matthew 24, he lists several things and describes them as painful and intense as the labor pains of a woman giving birth to a child. However, in the end it promises a new life.
Many people today look at the world around them, see the headlines and wonder if we are in the apocalypse or not. Anyway, we’re getting closer to that, but we need to carefully examine Jesus’ words and how today’s events might fit into His teachings.
In Matthew 24:7-8, Jesus speaks of earthquakes, famines, and pestilences as signs before His return. Throughout history, natural disasters have been interpreted by many Christians as signs of the approaching apocalypse, representing God’s judgment and the fulfillment of biblical prophecies.
In recent times, the increase in frequency and severity of natural disasters has led some to see them as confirmation of biblical prophecies about the end times. For example, the increasing occurrence of violent storms, wildfires, earthquakes, and tsunamis in various parts of the world has sparked debates about their significance in relation to the biblical apocalypse.
Hurricane Katrina, which struck the United States in 2005 and caused widespread destruction and loss of life, was seen by some as a sign of God’s judgment, although it is difficult to know for sure. Similarly, the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami, which killed thousands and caused widespread destruction, raised questions about the role of natural disasters in biblical prophecy.
In addition, the ongoing climate crisis and its associated consequences, such as rising sea levels and extreme weather events, have raised concerns about the relevance of biblical apocalyptic prophecies. Many Christians see these environmental crises as signs of the earth’s “groaning” in anticipation of Christ’s return, as stated in Romans 8:22.
2. War and conflicts
In Matthew 24:6-7, Jesus speaks of “wars and rumors of wars” as signs of the approaching end times. Throughout history, these violent and tumultuous times have been seen by many Christians as related to biblical prophecy. These times represent a period of tribulation and turmoil before the return of Christ.
In modern times, the prevalence of wars and conflicts around the world has raised concerns about their significance in relation to biblical prophecies about the end times. Over the past century, the world has seen two world wars, and World War II was a real conflict across the globe with terrible weapons like nuclear weapons.
Examples of recent conflicts, such as the ongoing civil war in Syria, the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and the rise of terrorist groups such as ISIS, have fueled debates about their role in fulfilling biblical prophecies. The current Israeli-Palestinian conflict, marked by decades of violence and political conflict, has been seen by many as the fulfillment of biblical prophecies about the restoration of Israel and Middle East conflict before the return of Christ.
3. Famine and disease
In Matthew 24:7, Jesus speaks of “famines and pestilences” as signs of the approaching end. Throughout the past centuries, famines and disease outbreaks have been discussed by many Christians as fulfillments of biblical prophecies.
In modern times, worldwide outbreaks of famine and disease have raised concerns about their significance in relation to biblical prophecies about the end times. Examples of recent famines, such as the food crises in Yemen, South Sudan, and parts of Africa, have led to widespread hunger and humanitarian crises, prompting debate about their role in fulfilling biblical prophecies.
The world has seen a number of serious outbreaks of recent diseases. From HIV/AIDS in the 80s, SARS in 2002, H1N1 flu in 2009, and Ebola in 2016-2014, millions of people have died from these pandemics.
Many people see the current covid-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus as a sign of the apocalypse. The pandemic has resulted in millions of deaths worldwide, strained healthcare systems, and disrupted economies and societies globally. The rapid spread of the virus and its devastating impact have led some to interpret it as the fulfillment of biblical prophecies about epidemics and plagues before the return of Christ.
4. Immorality
In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, the apostle Paul mentions moral decay as a sign of the coming end, where people are “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, foul-mouthed, disobedient to parents, unthankful, ungodly, They are unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, self-indulgent, predatory, not lovers of goodness, treacherous, hot-tempered, self-opinionated, and are more loving than God.
Christians throughout history have looked to times of moral decay and spiritual unbelief as potential signs of Christ’s return.
Today, examples of moral decay can be seen in many aspects of society, including the breakdown of traditional family structures, including high divorce rates, single-parent households, and declining marriage rates, indicating a departure from biblical principles regarding marriage and the family. . Our culture has also seen increasingly liberal attitudes toward sex, pornography, drug abuse, and other forms of immorality that represent a departure from biblical morality and values.
The increasing influence of secularism and relativism has led to the rejection of absolute truth and absolute moral principles, which results in moral relativism and the acceptance of diverse lifestyles and beliefs. Disrespect for authority, erosion of trust in institutions and increasing polarization and division in society fuel moral degeneration and social unrest.
5. false prophets
In Matthew 24, Jesus warns of false prophets who will arise and deceive many. Throughout the Bible, false prophets are portrayed as people who claim to speak on behalf of God, but who spread deceptive teachings and lead people astray from the truth.
In modern times, false prophets continue to exist, spreading misleading teachings and exploiting people’s spiritual vulnerabilities for personal gain. Examples of false prophets and deceptive religious movements can be seen in various contexts.
Some self-proclaimed Christian leaders promote a distorted version of the Bible that emphasizes material wealth and financial prosperity as signs of God’s grace. They often twist the Bible to promote the idea that faithfulness to God leads to material success, exploit vulnerable believers, and send a message contrary to the Bible’s teachings on humility, self-sacrifice, and stewardship of possessions (material and spiritual) they promote.
Numerous cults and fringe religious movements have emerged throughout history led by charismatic leaders who claim divine authority and offer exclusive access to spiritual truth. These groups often use manipulation, coercion, and isolation to control their followers and maintain power, which leads to emotional and psychological trauma. The number of these groups has increased in the last century.
Today in the article : 5 Signs We Are in the End Times? We reviewed useful information about the Bible and the way of Jesus. If you wish, you can view other articles of Ali Vahidi about Christianity
