The Warning of Christ
Jesus warned us that when this happens, it is too late. There are four distinct signs that Jesus gave regarding his return. What if I told you that Jesus did not just promise he would come back? He gave us four specific warning signs that would appear just before his arrival, and by the time the final sign begins to manifest itself, it is too late.
This brings us to the first sign that should be unmistakable to anyone paying attention.
Sign Number One: Global Disasters Like Labor Pains
In Matthew 24, when the disciples asked Jesus directly:
“What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
He gave a detailed and systematic answer. The first sign Jesus gave us concerns the disasters occurring throughout the world. But here is what most people miss about this sign: these are not signs of death. They are the birth pangs of something new that is being born. Listen exactly to what Jesus said in Matthew 24, verses 6 to 8:
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for all these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places, but all these are only the beginning of birth pangs.”
That phrase, “beginning of birth pangs,” is crucial; in the original Greek, it literally means birth pangs. Jesus is using the analogy of a woman in labor to describe what the world will experience before his return.
Now, here is what makes this analogy so profound. Birth pangs have three distinct characteristics:
-
They increase in frequency.
-
They increase in intensity.
-
They indicate that something wonderful is about to be born despite the pain involved.
We are seeing this pattern today. Wars and rumors of wars are constantly in the headlines. Nations are rising up against nations, not just in military conflicts, but in economic wars, cyber attacks, and international tensions that seem to intensify by the month. Famines are affecting more people now than at any other time in recorded history, despite our advanced agricultural technology. Earthquakes are being recorded with increasing frequency, and many scientists admit they do not fully understand why seismic activity seems to be intensifying in various places around the globe.
But here is what Jesus tells us about our response to these events. Be careful not to be troubled, because these disasters do not indicate that the world is ending in destruction; they indicate that something new is being born. When a woman is in labor, the pain is intense, but everyone in the delivery room knows that the pain is productive. It is not purposeless suffering; it is the necessary process that brings new life into the world.
Jesus is telling us that the global chaos we are witnessing is not a catastrophe; it is the productive pain that precedes the birth of his kingdom on earth. But here is where it gets even more interesting. The birth pangs do not last forever; they increase in intensity until the moment of birth. Then the pain stops, and new life appears. Jesus is telling us that these global disasters will culminate in his return and the establishment of his kingdom on earth.
This should completely change the way we respond to bad news. Instead of being overwhelmed by reports of wars, natural disasters, and global crises, we should lift our gaze because our redemption is drawing near. But the birth pangs analogy leads us directly to the second sign, which is not happening in the world, but within the Church itself.
Sign Number Two: The Church in Crisis and Awakening
Here things get really personal because the second sign Jesus gave us is not happening somewhere else in the world; it is happening right within the Church. And when you see what Jesus predicted would happen to Christianity itself before his return, you will understand why so many believers today feel something fundamentally changed in the spiritual landscape.
But here is what will shock you: this sign seems to contradict itself. Jesus described three things that would happen to the Church simultaneously, which on the surface seem impossible. The Church will simultaneously decline and grow, it will be weaker and stronger, it will be more hated and more effective.
How is this possible? Stay with me, because when you understand this paradox, you will see why we may be closer to Christ’s return than most people realize. Jesus said in Matthew 24, verses 9 to 14:
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. Then many will be offended, and will betray one another, and will hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and deceive many. And because iniquity will abound, the love of many will grow cold, but he who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Let me break it down into three parts that are happening right now, and when I am done, you will see the genius of God’s end-time strategy.
Part 1: Hate is Going Global
First, Jesus said that Christians will be hated by all nations because of his name. Now, this is not the simple contempt or ridicule that Christianity has always faced. It is a systematic international hostility that makes following Christ socially unacceptable and increasingly illegal. Christians are being fired from jobs for their beliefs. Professional licenses are revoked. Business owners are being sued for operating according to biblical principles.
And here is what psychological warfare looks like: it is not just that Christians are persecuted, they are portrayed as the problem. The media narrative is that Christians are the intolerant, the dangerous, the ones who threaten social progress and harmony. Think about how clever this strategy is. Throughout history, when Christians were persecuted, they were seen as innocent victims. This generated sympathy and often led to more people converting to Christianity.
But now Christians are persecuted and at the same time portrayed as the bad guys. This removes the sympathy factor and makes the persecution seemingly justified in the eyes of many. This global shift in the way Christianity is viewed did not happen overnight; it has been building for decades, but the acceleration in recent years has been astonishing. What was once considered mainstream Christian is now being labeled extremism in many parts of the world.
But here is what Jesus warned us: this global hatred will create pressure within the Church that will expose those who are truly committed and those who are just getting along out of habit.
Part 2: The Love of Many Will Grow Cold
The second part of this sign is perhaps the most painful because it involves Christians themselves. Jesus said:
“Many will be offended, and the love of many will grow cold.”
In other words, when following Christ becomes expensive, many people who claim to be believers will abandon the faith. We are seeing this happening on a massive scale right now. Church attendance has been rapidly declining in Western nations for years. But here is what is fascinating about this development: while it is painful to see, it is actually performing a necessary function. He is separating the wheat from the chaff, revealing who has genuine faith and who was just part of the Christian culture.
You see, when Christianity was socially beneficial or at least neutral, many people identified as Christians for reasons that had nothing to do with actually following Jesus. They enjoyed the community, the moral structure, the cultural identity, or the business networking opportunities, but they never truly committed their lives to Christ. Now that following Christ comes with social, financial, and relational costs, these people are leaving. And while this is sad for individual families and local churches, it is actually purifying the global church.
Jesus said this would happen. He told a parable about the wheat and the tares growing together until harvest time, when they would be separated. He said that in the last days the love of many would grow cold because of the growth of iniquity and moral confusion.
Part 3: Unprecedented Global Success
But here is what is extraordinary. While many are falling, those who remain are becoming more committed, more passionate, and more daring than ever, which brings us to the third part of this sign. This is where things get really interesting, because while parts one and two describe a church shrinking and facing opposition, part three describes unprecedented success in reaching the world with the gospel. Jesus said:
“This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Note that he did not say that the Gospel would be preached by a large, comfortable, popular church. He said it would be preached to all nations at a time when Christians are being persecuted and many are falling away. How is this possible? How can a smaller, more persecuted church have a greater global impact than a larger, more accepted church? The answer reveals something profound about God’s strategy and the power of authentic faith.
First, persecution purifies the Church’s message. When Christians can face real consequences for their beliefs, they stop watering down the gospel to make it more palatable. They cannot afford to be vague or compromised, because only the true Gospel is worth suffering for.
Second, persecution authenticates the Church’s witness. When people see Christians willing to face real costs for their faith, their message becomes more credible. Anyone can say they believe in something when it is convenient, but when someone holds onto their faith under pressure, it causes others to wonder what that person knows that others do not.
Third, persecution activates the Church’s desperation. Comfortable Christians often feel no urgency about evangelism. But when believers realize that the window of opportunity may be closing, they become much more motivated to share the gospel while they still have time. Organizations like Every Tribe, Every Nation report that the last unreached ethnic groups are finally receiving the gospel through strategies that would have been unimaginable just a few decades ago.
But here is what should give you the shivers. Jesus said that once the gospel has been preached to all nations as a testimony, then the end will come. He is not talking about converting everyone; he is talking about giving everyone the opportunity to listen and respond.
The Danger of Sophisticated Deceivers
But Jesus warned that during this time of crisis in the Church and global evangelization there would be another dangerous element: false prophets who would deceive many people. These are not just obvious cult leaders or street-corner lunatics. They are sophisticated deceivers who understand Christian language and know how to play off what people want to hear. They tell people that things are getting better, that human progress will solve our problems, that we do not have to worry about judgment or the return of Christ.
Other false prophets redefine the Gospel itself. They say that all religions lead to God, that good people go to heaven regardless of their beliefs, that Jesus was merely a good teacher rather than the only way to salvation. But here is what makes these false prophets particularly dangerous: they often mix truth and lies, quote scripture, and speak of love and compassion. They address real problems people are experiencing, but they push people away from dependence on Christ and toward dependence on human solutions.
Jesus warned us about this because he knew that when Christians were under pressure they would be tempted to listen to teachers who promised easier ways. When following Christ becomes difficult, false prophets offer alternative approaches that seem more manageable.
The Perseverance Factor
This is why Jesus emphasized perseverance as the key to getting through this time. He said:
“But he who endures to the end will be saved.”
Now, this is not about earning salvation through works or resistance; it is about proving the reality of salvation by remaining faithful even when it gets costly. Think like this: if someone claims to be a Christian but abandons the faith the moment it becomes inconvenient, what does that tell you about the reality of their faith to begin with? Jesus is saying that genuine believers will persevere through persecution, apostasy, and deception because they have something that cannot be taken away from them—a real relationship with the living God.
But persevering does not mean passively surviving; it means active fidelity. It means continuing to share the Gospel even when it is dangerous. It means holding biblical beliefs even when they are unpopular. It means loving other believers even when they are betrayed by trusted people.
Now you can see how all three parts of this sign work together to accomplish God’s purposes. Global persecution removes false Christians and reveals those with real faith. Apostasy purifies the Church and clarifies the message of the Gospel. False prophets provide a test that separates those who love the truth from those who prefer convenient lies. The result is a smaller but more powerful church that reaches the entire world with an unwatered gospel, preached by people who are clearly willing to die for what they believe.
It is like refining gold. Put the ore under intense heat and pressure, and the impurities burn away, leaving pure gold, more valuable than it was when it was first mined. This is what is happening to the global Church right now. Persecution is the heat, apostasy is the impurities that are burned away, and what remains is pure gold: separation-tested Christians so committed to Jesus that nothing can shake their faith.
And here is what should encourage you: if you feel the pressure, if you see people around you drifting away, if you see the cost of following Christ increasing in your own life, you are not experiencing something unexpected. You are experiencing exactly what Jesus said would happen before his return. The question is not whether these things will continue to escalate; Jesus guaranteed that they will. The question is whether you will be among those who persevere to the end.
But this sign related to the Church, significant as it is, leads us directly to the third sign, which will be centered on a specific city that has been at the center of God’s plan throughout history.
Sign Number Three: The Crisis of Jerusalem and the Abomination of Desolation
Now we come to the point that should send shivers down your spine, because this is geographically specific, historically unprecedented, and marks the absolute point of no return. When this third sign appears, Jesus said that the final countdown will have begun and everything that follows will be the most intense period of suffering in human history.
But here is what is fascinating. This sign requires specific conditions to be in place that have seemed impossible for most of the last 2,000 years. Yet today, for the first time since Jesus spoke these words, all the pieces are falling into place. And when you see what is happening behind the scenes in Jerusalem right now, you will understand why many prophecy scholars believe we may be the generation to see this sign. Jesus said in Matthew 24, verses 15 to 22:
“Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not come down to take what is in his house, and let him who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath, for then there will be great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will.”
Notice how Jesus changes his tone when he comes to this sign. He becomes urgent, specific, almost agitated. He tells people not to pack their bags, not to take their things, but only to flee for their lives. Why this extreme urgency? Why does this sign mark the moment when time is up? What is the abomination of desolation?
To understand what this refers to, we must return to the prophet Daniel, who described this astonishing event over 500 years before the birth of Jesus. Daniel saw a vision of a future ruler who would emerge onto the world stage and initially appear to be a peacemaker and problem solver. This person, whom the Bible calls by various names, including the Antichrist, the Man of Sin, and the Beast, will make a seven-year covenant with Israel and many other nations.
For the first three and a half years of this agreement, he will appear to be the greatest leader in human history. He will resolve international conflicts, bring peace to the Middle East, foster global prosperity, and even allow the Jews to rebuild their temple. But then, halfway through those seven years, he will reveal his true nature. Daniel 9:27 says:
“He will establish a lasting covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering, and on the wings of abominations a destroyer will come, until the complete destruction that is decreed is poured out on the destroyer.”
The abomination of desolation is when this leader enters the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, declares himself God, and demands worship from all humanity. This is not metaphorical. This is a literal person performing literal actions in a literal place. But here is what makes this prophecy remarkable: it requires conditions that have not existed for most of the last 2,000 years.
Condition 1: The Temple Must Be Rebuilt
First, for this to happen, there must be a temple in Jerusalem. When Jesus spoke these words, the second temple was still standing. But in 70 AD, just as Jesus had predicted, the Romans completely destroyed it. For nearly 2,000 years, there has been no temple in Jerusalem, but here is what should catch your attention: for the first time since 70 AD, serious preparations are being made to rebuild the temple.
The Temple Institute in Jerusalem has been working for decades to recreate all the vessels, instruments, and priestly vestments needed for temple worship according to biblical specifications. They have trained hundreds of men of the tribe of Levi to serve as priests. They raised red heifers that could be used for the purification rituals required before the Temple service could begin. Architectural plans have been drawn up, the site has been surveyed, the political groundwork is being prepared—all that is missing is the right political climate to make construction possible.
But it is not just the physical preparation that is significant; it is the spiritual preparation as well. Orthodox Jewish communities around the world are experiencing a renewed interest in the Temple. Young Jews are studying the intricate laws of Temple service. Rabbinical schools offer courses on Temple-related topics that have not been relevant for 2,000 years. The psychological and spiritual conditions for the Temple’s reconstruction are developing alongside the physical preparations.
Condition 2: Jerusalem Under Jewish Control
Second, Jerusalem must be under Jewish control for this prophecy to be fulfilled. For most of the last 2,000 years, Jerusalem has been controlled by various Gentile powers—Roman, Byzantine, Muslim, Crusader, Ottoman, and British. But in 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israel regained control of Jerusalem for the first time since 70 AD. This was not just a political victory; it was a prophetic milestone that many scholars believe started the countdown to the final fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecies.
However, the situation is more complex than simple political control. The Temple Mount itself, the site where the Temple is to be rebuilt, is currently administered by an Islamic authority called the Wakf. The Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque are located on the Temple Mount, making it one of the most contested religious sites in the world.
But here is what is developing behind the scenes: there are growing discussions about creative solutions that could allow Jewish worship in the Temple alongside existing Islamic structures. Some proposals involve building the Temple in another part of the Temple Mount. Others suggest underground construction. Still others propose sharing agreements that would allow both religions to use the site. This seemed impossible just a few decades ago. Jews worshiping on the Temple Mount is now a matter of serious discussion by the political and religious leaders on both sides.
Condition 3: A World Leader of Global Influence
Third, there must be a world leader with enough influence and credibility to negotiate a peace agreement that makes the rebuilding of the temple possible. This person must be trusted by Israelis, Palestinians, Arab nations, European powers, and the United States alike. For most of history, no single individual could have enjoyed that level of international respect and authority.
But we are living in an era of global communication, international institutions, and interconnected economies that make such global influence possible for the first time. We have already seen how quickly a charismatic leader can capture global attention and support. Social media, 24-hour news, and instant communication mean that someone could emerge on the world stage and gain international prominence in months, not years.
But it is not just about charisma. This person will have to demonstrate real problem-solving ability. The challenges facing the world today—economic instability, international conflicts, environmental problems, technological upheaval—are creating demand for a kind of integrated global leadership that the Antichrist will seem to provide.
The Deception Factor and Ultimate Blasphemy
But here is what makes the abomination of desolation so shocking: it will not appear evil when it occurs. For three and a half years before this event, the Antichrist will be the most popular, successful, and admired leader in history. Think of what he will accomplish during the first three and a half years. He will bring peace to the Middle East, something that seemed impossible for decades. He will allow the rebuilding of the temple, fulfilling the deepest dreams of religious Jews. He will resolve international conflicts, stabilize the global economy, and seem to usher in a new era of prosperity and human cooperation.
But then comes the moment that changes everything, the ultimate blasphemy. 2 Thessalonians 2, verses 3 to 4 describes what happens when the Antichrist finally reveals his true nature:
“Let no one deceive you by any means, for that day will not come until the falling away comes and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, to the point of sitting in God’s temple proclaiming himself God.”
The person who was Israel’s greatest protector becomes its greatest persecutor. The leader who made temple worship possible demands to be worshiped in the temple. The man who brought peace to Jerusalem turns Jerusalem into the center of global conflict. And he does not just declare himself a God, he declares himself the God. He presents himself not as one deity among many, but as the supreme divine authority deserving worship from all humanity.
And that is what makes this particularly blasphemous. He does it in Judaism’s most sacred space, the Holy of Holies, in the rebuilt temple. It is the supreme desecration of the holiest place on earth.
Jesus said that when this happens, the response must be immediate flight. Don’t pack your bags, don’t gather your things, don’t say goodbye to your neighbors, run for your life. Why this urgency? Because the abomination of desolation unleashes what Jesus called the great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will be.
This is not just another difficult period in history. Jesus is saying that what will follow the abomination of desolation will be worse than all previous catastrophes put together. Worse than the flood, worse than the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, worse than any war, famine, plague, or natural disaster ever. And it will not be limited to one region or a single people. The persecution that will follow will be global and systematic.
Revelation 13, verse 7 says that power will be given over every tribe, people, language, and nation. The persecution will not be random violence; it will be organized, technological, and widespread. The same system that allowed the Antichrist to bring peace and prosperity will be transformed into an instrument of oppression and control. This is the moment when the Mark of the Beast system described in Revelation 13 will be fully implemented. Everyone will be forced to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and no one will be able to buy or sell without it.
But here is what is disturbing about the timing: this system of economic control will be implemented immediately after the abomination of desolation. Those who refuse to worship the Antichrist will be immediately cut off from the global economy. Think of how sophisticated such a system would have to be. It would require global financial networks controlled by a central authority, identification technology that cannot be falsified or transferred, surveillance systems capable of tracking every transaction, and international cooperation that transcends traditional political boundaries.
All these technologies exist today. What seemed like science fiction when John wrote the Apocalypse 2,000 years ago is now technically possible with current technology. The deception of the false Messiah will prepare Israel to receive the true Messiah when he returns, but here is what should create urgency in your heart.
Jesus said that the abomination of desolation marks the halfway point of the last seven years. Once this event occurs, there are exactly three and a half years left until his return. This means that when you see this sign, you will know precisely how much time remains. Not approximately, not more or less, but exactly. The clock will tick day by day toward the second coming.
But here is what is sobering: Jesus also indicated that when this sign appears, it will be too late for most people to change their eternal destiny. The decisions that determine where people will spend eternity will have been made before the abomination of desolation occurs.
So, where are we today? Are we seeing a movement toward the conditions that would make this sign possible? The answer should alarm you. For the first time in 2,000 years, all the necessary components are either in place or are developing rapidly. Israel controls Jerusalem and is preparing to rebuild the temple. The stage is set for all these things to happen rapidly when the time is ripe.
And this brings us to the fourth and final sign, which will be impossible to miss because it will be visible to every person on Earth simultaneously.
But here is what you need to understand about this third sign: it does not just mark the halfway point of the tribulation; it marks the point at which human history reaches its climax. Everything that has happened since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden has been in preparation for this moment when the supreme rebellion against God will take place in the supreme sacred space. The abomination of desolation is Satan’s final, desperate attempt to claim the worship that belongs to God alone. It is the pinnacle of human pride, the ultimate expression of rebellion against divine authority. It is the event that triggers God’s final response to human sin. When you see this sign, you will know that the end of the present age has arrived and that the return of the true King is imminent.
Sign Number Four: God Turns Off the Lights
The fourth sign Jesus gave us is cosmic in scope and will serve as a final warning that His return is imminent. This is not a sign you need to interpret or argue about; it will be obvious to everyone on earth. Jesus said in Matthew 24, verses 29 to 31:
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He will send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
Note the sequence. First, all natural sources of light stop working: the sun goes dark, the moon no longer gives light, and the stars are falling from the sky. Then, Jesus appears in a dazzling glory that will be visible to everyone on earth simultaneously.
This cosmic sign is described consistently throughout the scripture. The prophet Isaiah said that the heavens will roll up like a scroll. The prophet Joel described the same darkening of the sun and the moon. The book of Revelation provides additional details about this cosmic shaking.
But here is what is extraordinary about this fourth sign: it serves a specific purpose. God turns off all natural sources of light to set the stage for the supernatural light of Christ’s return. Think about this: if Jesus appeared in his glory while the sun was still shining, people might not notice him or might find an alternative explanation. But when all natural light disappears and then Christ appears as the only source of light in the universe, there will be no doubt about what is happening.
This is why Jesus said that when he returns it will be like the lightning that comes from the east and shines to the west; every eye will see it. There will be no debate about whether it is really Jesus or just someone pretending to be.
But here is what this means for the timing of these signs: the cosmic darkening occurs immediately after the tribulation of those days. This places the fourth sign at the end of the tribulation period, just moments before Christ’s actual return. When you see the sun, moon, and stars stop giving light, you will know that Jesus is about to appear.
By then, it will be too late to prepare spiritually. The time for decisions will be over. For those who have been vigilant and waiting, the darkening of the skies will be the signal that their redemption has finally arrived. And this brings us to the lesson that Jesus taught about recognizing the seasons.
The Fig Tree’s Lesson: Recognizing the Seasons
After describing these four signs, Jesus gave his disciples a simple analogy to help them understand time, the lesson of the fig tree. Jesus said in Matthew 24, verses 32 to 34:
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you in like manner, when you see all these things, know that he is near, even at the doors. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.”
This is not a complicated symbolic prophecy; it is a clear lesson in recognizing the seasons. How can you know that summer is near by observing how trees respond to seasonal changes? So you can know that Jesus’ return is near.
