14 SIGNS ANNOUNCING CHRIST RETURN

1. Wars, Violence and Lawlessness

Again, the Gospel of Matthew contains Jesus' prophecy to His disciples about the state of the world just prior to His Second Coming. "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom" (Matthew 24:6–7). While humanity has lived with warfare over the millennia, the sheer annihilative potential of today's weapons and the possible massive scale of conflict has made for a unique and dangerous time which is unprecedented in history.

2. Drought and Famine

The book of Revelation confirms this coming famine. "When he had broken the third seal [shortly before the coming of Christ], I heard the third Living Being [an angelic personage] say, 'Come!' And I saw a black horse, with its rider holding a pair of balances in his hand. And a voice from among the four Living Beings said, 'A loaf of bread for $20, or three pounds of barley flour, but there is no olive oil or wine'" (Revelation 6:5–6, The Living Bible).

3. Earthquakes and Other Natural Catastrophes
These earth-jarring occurrences arise from natural shifts and changes in the earth's mantle, especially along worldwide earthquake belts or fault lines. A million people died in earthquakes during the 20th century, and scientists acknowledge that the 21st "might see 10 times as many deaths, with a million lost in a single blow" (San Diego Union-Tribune, "Quakes Grow Deadlier," Sept. 28, 1999).

In the near future, there will be more earthquakes even in places where they are not normally expected. Earthquake expert John Nance said: "It's dangerous arrogance for any of us, wherever we live, to assume the problem is isolated to any particular region. We stand united in the seismic peril" (Los Angeles Times,"Superquake May Lie Ahead Almost Anywhere in U.S.," Mar. 25, 1989).

4. Disease Epidemics

The Bible indicates clearly that future disease epidemics will be, in part, spread by wild animals (Revelation 6:8). Some of the worst plagues of humanity have been animal borne, like bubonic plague. Bubonic plague is a naturally endemic problem among wild animals in certain regions. It is only due to society's diligence in maintaining sanitary standards that such problems stay at the fringes of civilization.

5. The Rise of an Aggressive, Fundamentalist Islamic Power

Presently, the whole Islamic world in the Middle East and North Africa is being enveloped by a wave of resurgent Islamic fundamentalism. Islamic fundamentalist insurgencies, funded by rogue states and terrorist organizations, are trying to destabilize the moderate, Western-leaning, secular regimes currently in power, and are seeking to replace them with a unified, resuscitated Islamic caliphate (empire)—the prophesied "king of the South." The final leader over these reinvigorated Muslim nations will be a tremendously powerful religio-political false Messiah or "Mahdi" who will draw his power from a confederation of those nations. He will provoke the key events written in Daniel 11, which must occur before the return of Jesus Christ to this earth.

6. An Ascendant European Union Seeks Global Primacy

The seven heads represent seven distinct revivals of this evil empire over a long period of time. The ten horns represent the ten leaders (kings) of the constituent nations which will make up this ungodly federation that will, first of all, fight against God's saints. "And it was granted to him [the leader of the ungodly empire] to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation" (Revelation 13:7). These ten leaders will also fight against Christ Himself at His return! "And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful" (Revelation 17:12–14).

7. A Powerful Religious Figure Leads a Religious Revival

Now continue this important end-time prophecy, "I was angry with My people," says God (v. 6). Who are God's people? There are two ways this can be properly understood: one is the Church of God, the other is God's physical people, Israel—"You [Israel] only have I known of all the families of the earth" (Amos 3:2). This prophecy is definitely speaking nationally, so this is not talking about God's true Church. Clearly, this is speaking about the end-time nations which comprise modern Israel.

(to be continued...)