Are we seeing the signs of the end of the age?

The term “end of the age” refers to the final days of man’s rule over the earth, just before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ returns to rule the earth. How can we know if we're the generation who will witness the end of this age?

Here’s a bible verse that people who doubt that we can know this general time of the end of the age like to quote.

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
Matthew 24:36

It’s widely known among both believers and non-believers alike that no one knows the day or the hour that the Jesus will return to put down the kingdoms of man and rule the earth for a thousand years (Revelation 20:6). However, Jesus warned us to be watchful so that we will know when that time is near. He wants us to be diligent and increase our efforts to be ready for His return and to warn others to be ready as well.

What seems to escape so many people's attention (at least the ones I’ve talked to) is that when they quote Matthew 24:36 they seem to disregard the fact that a day and an hour is a very small amount of time. Sure, that's obvious, but consider this: If we’re really serious about being ready for the Lord’s return, the question we should be asking ourselves is “can I know the general time of Christ’s return?”.  The good news is, Jesus has already answered that question for us.

Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place”.
Matthew 24:32-34

This parable should give us all the assurance we need, that we can know the general time of His return. Jesus gave the disciples many signs to watch for so that we might not be caught unaware and unprepared. Friends, we're the generation that's witnessing all of the signs that are written down for us in Matthew 24:3-14.

• Many people will claim to be Christ.
• You will hear of wars and rumors of wars.
• Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. In other words, there will be wars among countries and people groups.
• There will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

Jesus said that these are just the beginning of sorrows. Another translation renders it as "the beginning of birth pangs". Either way, it means things are going to get progressively worse before Jesus returns.

But wait, there’s more.

• Believers will be persecuted and killed.
• All nations will hate believers because they follow Jesus.
• Many will betray one another.
• False prophets will rise up and deceive many.
• Lawlessness will abound.
• The love of many will grow cold.
• The gospel of Jesus Christ will be preached throughout the whole world.

I could provide ample proof that we’re seeing every one of these signs today. But I don’t think it’s really necessary to elaborate on them here because even unbelievers can see these things are happening.

But you might say that many of these things have been happening for centuries. We’ve always had wars and famines and so on and so forth. Well, that’s true, but remember Jesus also said that all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs (Matthew 24:8 NASB). As you know, birth pangs or birth pains increase in frequency and intensity just before giving birth. So, what Jesus was saying is that the occurrences of these signs are going to increase in frequency and intensity until the very moment of His return. And they are!

If you want exhaustive evidence that we’re seeing these signs in the world today, I recommend you check out Pastor Billy Crone’s video series, The Final Countdown.

God bless,
Daniel