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Answer
In Matthew 24:5–8, Jesus provides important clues to recognize the approach of the end times: “Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” An increase in false messiahs, warfare, famines, plagues, and natural disasters are signs of the end times. However, this passage warns us not to be deceived because these events mark only the beginning of birth pains; the end is yet to come.
Some interpreters see every earthquake, political upheaval, and attack on Israel as definite signs that the end times are nearing. While these events may indicate the last days are approaching, they do not necessarily mean the end times have arrived. The apostle Paul cautioned that the last days would witness a significant increase in false teaching. “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” «Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; », (1 Timothy 4:1). The last days are described as “perilous times” due to the growing evil nature of humanity and those who actively “oppose the truth” <a href="https://www.bibliatodo.
2 Timothy 3:1–9; see also 2 Thessalonians 2:3.
Other potential indicators of the end times could involve the reconstruction of a Jewish temple in Jerusalem, escalating animosity toward Israel, and progress toward a global government. Nevertheless, the primary signal of the end times is the existence of Israel itself. In 1948, Israel was acknowledged as an independent state, essentially for the first time since 605 BC, when the Babylonians seized control of Judah. God pledged to Abraham that his descendants would inherit Canaan as “an eternal possession” «And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. », Genesis 17:8, and Ezekiel prophesied a revival of Israel both physically and spiritually (Ezekiel 37). The presence of Israel as a nation in its own territory is significant concerning end-times prophecy due to Israel’s importance in eschatology Daniel 10:14; Daniel 11:41; Revelation 11:8.
Considering these indications, we can be prudent and perceptive regarding the anticipation of the end times. However, we should not interpret any of these individual occurrences as a definite sign of the imminent arrival of the end times. God has provided us with adequate information to be prepared, which is our responsibility as we longingly proclaim, “Come, Lord Jesus” «He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. », Revelation 22:20.
