The sign of pestilences Matthew 24:7b reads: “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places.”
Due to great advances in medical science, you would assume great plagues might be wiped out . . . No!
In World War 1 — a virulent form of influenza struck — a conservative estimate placed the dead at about 12 million. In recent years, new diseases continue to surface which are resistant to known treatments.
In the 80s – the deadly Aids began, now countries in sub-Sahara have 40% to 45% of their population infected. SARS in Asia has claimed many lives.
Ebola has claimed over 5 000 in West Africa. Jesus said: “There shall be pestilences.”
The rise of the cults 1 Timothy 4:1-3,1 reads: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”
One cult after another has arisen in the past century, each claiming it is the true church and condemning others.
For example: The teaching of evolution, stating that man comes from animals, contradicting the word of God which states we are made in the image of God.
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Mormonism arose with its teaching of plural marriage.
Jehovah’s Witnesses, an extremely sectarian group which teaches that Christ is a created being.
It denies the existence of hell (literal).
Russel, the founder, predicted the coming of Christ in 1914, a prediction which of course failed to materialise.
Christian science — its founder, a thrice married woman, Mary Baker — she proposed a religion of denials. She says there is no such thing as sickness, sin, disease, nor death. It is all in the mind.
These are but a few false religions which trace their origin to seducing spirits or doctrines of devils.
All water churches — Zion, Mapostori, etc . . .
The rise of false prophets with their many gimmicks, familiar spirits and divination.
The lawlessness of youth sign
2 Timothy 3:1-2 reads: “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come, for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.
About 1 900 years ago the Apostle Paul saw among other disturbing developments at the end of the age, the revolt of youth against constituted authority.
Media today has its headlines The crimes of boys and girls. Gangs of reckless youth prowl the great cities of the world robbing and looting committing crimes of violence.
What is the cause of all of this?
Too often the problem is in the home. Homes are broken up as parents constantly quarrel. Children in such homes grow up bitter and resentful.
The present revival of the supernatural It has always been recognised by Bible students that in the end of the age there would be a manifestation of the miraculous.
Joel 2:28-29 says: “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on my menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”
And Daniel, speaking of the time of the end in Daniel 11:32 said: “ . . . but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” Healings, raising the dead, creative miracles, great demonstrations of God’s power.
The spirit of the anti-Christ will also perform great miracles. It’s not the miracles that you judge a minister or ministry by, it’s the character and the nature of these.
If you follow anyone who performs miracles without checking the character, nature and fruit, you will be deceived.
Luke 21:28 states: “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
These things have but one meaning, the time of the coming of the Lord is near.
The sign of the world evangelism (harvest) There is yet one more crucial sign to be fulfilled. Jesus said: Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
In Nigeria, at one time, one million people were born again in a three-day crusade. In India again in a three-day crusade, four million people attended, and over one million were born again.
Acts 2:21 says: “And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved.”
The great outpouring of the Spirit that is soon coming is to speed up the gathering of the harvest.
“Nations and cities will turn to Christ in days.”
Conclusion . . . other signs The atomic bomb sign
Revelation 13:13 reads: “He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.”
The hydrogen bomb signMatthew 24:21-22 states: “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
“And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.”
Signs in the heavens (unidentified flying object)
Luke 21:11 reads: “And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.”
The aeroplane sign Isaiah 31:5 says: Like birds flying about, So will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem. Defending, He will also deliver it; Passing over, He will preserve it.” (Use of fighter jets, etc . . .).
Sign of fulfilment of the times of the Gentiles Luke 21:24 reads: “And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”
The re-building of Jerusalem sign Psalm 102:16 states: “For the LORD shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory.”
The restoration of the land of Palestine sign Ezekiel 36:33-35 says: “Thus says the Lord GOD: On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities and the ruins shall be rebuilt. The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by.
“So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden and the wasted, desolate and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.”
Sign of the kings of the east Revelation 16:12 states: Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.
The sign of the great flood. Luke 1 7 26 – 27 says: “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man. They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all.”
The sign of world suicide Daniel 12:1, “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.
Matthew 24:22 states: “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.”
