On Wednesday we focused on two signs of the last days:

• The re-birth of Israel
• Jerusalem becoming a burden to the world

The Bible is filled with additional signs of the last days, most of which are very distinguishable in our world today.  So, let’s dig deeper!

But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time;
many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.
~Daniel 12:4

The angel of the Lord spoke to the prophet Daniel in chapter 12 about the end of time, and in verse 4, He commanded Daniel to conceal all he had heard in a book until the end of time.  But look at the last part of verse 4.  It tells us that, at the end of time, “many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”  Friends, we are seeing world-wide travel abound.  Hundreds of thousands travel abroad every day, and many commute to foreign countries regularly.  Indeed, we are seeing a dramatic increase in travel.

And what can we say about knowledge?  Though we seem to be slipping in wisdom, knowledge abounds!  The internet has made knowledge of virtually anything available to the masses.  Based on whose research you read (and believe), knowledge supposedly doubles every 1-5 years.  I’m not sure how one measures the rate of knowledge increase, but I think it is fairly safe to say that we have access to exponentially more data today than in times past, and our reservoir of knowledge is growing.

In addition to increased travel and knowledge, another sign of the last days is the increase in wars, famines and earthquakes.

As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”…[Jesus replied:] “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,
and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.”
~Matthew 24:3, 7

According to History Today, there has been an “alarming increase in wars” over the past 130+ years.  During the World War years, wars increased by 17% per year and that percentage rose to 31% per year during the Cold War.  However, in the 1990’s frequency rose a staggering 36% per year.  As we look at the situation in the Middle East, it is no secret that wars and rumors of war are on the increase.

What about famines?  Take a look at Our World in Data.  On first glance, we see fewer deaths to famine than is previous decades.  However, scroll down to the list of famines worldwide.  Deaths per decade are indeed less than at times before, but the number of famines escalates dramatically.  The 1980’s, 1990’s, and 2000’s had many more famines than in any previous decade.  Yes, medical and nutritional technology has increased and that is good.  But what happens on the day that nuclear weapons are detonated, destroying potentially millions of acres of fertile land?  Famines are increasing, and have the potential to be catastrophic.

Earthquakes are also on the rise in both number and severity, just as Scripture indicates.  An earthquake that hits at least 5.0 on the Richter scale is considered significant.   Here is a chart of the number of significant earthquakes from 1935 – 2014:

The Bible teaches us that no one knows the day or the hour of Jesus’s return.  (Matthew 24:36, Mark 13:32)  However, Luke 12:54-56 warns us to analyze the present time and know the times and the season.  I believe it is safe to say that signs of the last days are visible in our world today.  The season is upon us and we must be ready.  His return could be any moment!