Well, our cruise ship has definitely left the port and we’re on our way!  Let’s turn our attention now to signs of the last days.  Who better to teach us about future events than the One who knows precisely what those events will be?  Let’s sit with Peter, James, John and Andrew at the feet of Jesus.  Imagine being with Jesus on the Mount of Olives just days before His crucifixion.  Now, open your Bible and read Matthew 24:1-8.  (Corresponding passages:  Mark 13:1-8 and Luke 21:5-8)

 

In 70AD, the Romans totally destroyed the Temple Jesus was referring to.  Not one stone was left on another, fully fulfilling Matthew 24:2.

 

What other signs does Jesus mention in that passage (Matthew 24:1-8)?  In today’s news, do you hear of any of these things happening?

 

Matthew 24:7 indicates that “nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom.”  According to some, the world has witnessed well over 10,000 wars.  However, one war in history may have signaled the beginning of the fulfillment of this prophecy.  World War I began between two nations and was eventually joined (either directly or indirectly) by almost every nation on the planet.  Do you believe WWI may have been “the beginning of birth pangs,” as verse 8 describes?

 

Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5.  According to this passage, what are some other signs of the last days?

 

Britt Gillette, in his online article, Seven Signs of the End Times, lists signs that we will study in more depth later in our study.  Those seven signs are:

1. The holocaust and the re-emergence of Israel.  (Ezekiel 37:11-13)
2. Jerusalem is a burden to the world.  (Zechariah 12:2-3)
3. The dramatic increase in travel and knowledge.  (Daniel 12:4)
4. Exponential increase in wars, famines and earthquakes.  (Matthew 24:3-8)
5. Rise of the Gog/Magog alliance.  (Ezekiel 38:1-6)
6. Rise of global government.  (Revelation 13:7)

7. Good News preached throughout the world.  (Matthew 24:14)

 

I want to provide some data relative to the fourth sign (exponential increase in wars, famines and earthquakes).  Here are some telling stats:

 

Century               # of Wars               # of Famines               # of Earthquakes

15^th Century               29                              6                                       2

16^th Century               59                              10                                     3

17^th Century               75                              24                                     7

18^th Century               69                              28                                   13

19^th Century             294                              30                                   29

20^th Century             278                              44                                   123

 

Indeed, I believe we’re living in end times!  As we’ve seen, it is time for us to be awake and to take action.  Tomorrow we’ll focus on one single action that everyone can do!  Come back to find out what that action is!