Signs of the Times

We live in extraordinary times. If you pause for just a moment and look around at the world we're living in, you'll notice something remarkable events are unfolding at a pace we've never seen before. One crisis barely has time to settle before another emerges. The news cycle moves so fast that yesterday's headline is forgotten by tomorrow morning. Something significant is happening, and we need to pay attention.
More Than Just Another Day
There's a tendency in our culture to treat faith as a seasonal activity—something we pull out during Christmas and Easter, dust off for special occasions, and then tuck away until next year. But the truth is far more urgent and far more beautiful than that. Jesus isn't just the reason for a season; He's the reason for every season, every day, every breath we take.
The birth of Christ changed everything. When God became flesh and entered our world as a baby in Bethlehem, it was the most radical intervention in human history. But here's what many people miss: His first coming was just the beginning of the story. The second coming is what should capture our attention today.
The Fig Tree and the Generation
Jesus gave His disciples clear signs to watch for regarding His return. In Matthew 24, He used the illustration of a fig tree: "When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near." The fig tree represents Israel, and in 1948, after 1,900 years of dispersion, Israel became a nation again—literally overnight.
This wasn't just a political event; it was prophetic fulfillment happening before our eyes. Jesus said that the generation that witnessed the fig tree coming back to life would not pass away before all these things took place. That was 77 years ago. The generation that saw Israel reborn is still here, but it's fading.
Birth Pains Increasing
Jesus described the signs of His return as being like birth pains—increasing in frequency and intensity as the time draws near. And when you look at our world today, that's exactly what we're seeing:
Wars and rumors of wars are constant. Nation rises against nation, and ethnic tensions simmer and explode worldwide.
Earthquakes are occurring with alarming frequency in diverse places. A quick look at geological surveys shows seismic activity popping off globally in places that have been dormant for years.
Pestilence and disease swept the world recently in ways we never imagined, shutting down churches, businesses, and entire nations.
Persecution of believers is intensifying. While we in America complain about minor inconveniences, the temperature in our climate-controlled buildings, the music selection, or the traffic, believers around the world are being murdered, burned alive, and imprisoned for their faith.
Deception and false teaching are rampant, even in churches that claim to be spirit-filled. The love of many has grown cold, and people who once walked closely with God have fallen away.
The Urgency of Now
Here's what makes this moment so critical: Jesus said He would return at an hour we don't expect, during what seems like an ordinary day. Matthew 24:37-39 tells us: "As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away."
Life will be going on as normal. People will be working, eating, making plans, living their lives. And suddenly, in the twinkling of an eye, everything will change. First Thessalonians 4:16-17 describes it: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Jesus told a powerful story in Matthew 25 about ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. All ten knew he was coming. All ten had lamps. But only five had oil, only five were truly ready. When the bridegroom arrived at midnight, the five who were prepared went into the wedding feast, and the door was shut. The other five were left outside, scrambling to get ready, but it was too late.
The sobering truth of this parable is that it's possible to think you're ready when you're not. It's possible to know about Jesus without truly knowing Him. It's possible to have all the religious trappings without having the relationship that saves.
The Question That Matters Most
So, here's the question you must answer with absolute certainty: If you died today, do you know, not hope, not think, but KNOW, that you would go to heaven?
Romans 10:9-10 makes it clear: "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
It's not about church membership. It's not about being a good person. It's not about your family's faith or how many religious activities you participate in. Heaven will be full of people who never walked into a church building, and tragically, hell will be full of people who did.
It's about Jesus, period. Have you confessed Him as Lord? Have you surrendered your life to Him? Have you been born again?
The Reality of Hell
Jesus didn't mince words about hell. Three times in Mark 9, He described it as a place "where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched." This isn't metaphorical language meant to scare people into compliance. This is Jesus, who was actually there warning us about a very real place of eternal torment.
Some people joke about hell, saying all their friends will be there so it'll be a party. That's a tragic delusion. Hell is a place of unimaginable suffering, separation from God, and eternal regret.
Living with Eternity in View
For those who are already born again, this isn't just about personal security—it's about urgency. We are in possession of the greatest truth anyone could ever have: the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have the answer to humanity's deepest problem, the cure for the terminal diagnosis of sin.
Every day is an opportunity to share this truth. Every person you encounter could be someone whose eternity hangs in the balance. We don't need to be theologians or have all the answers. We just need to open our mouths and tell people what Jesus has done.
The fields are ripe for harvest. People are searching, hurting, and desperate for hope. They may not know what they're looking for, but we do, they're looking for Jesus.
Don't Be Caught Getting Ready
The time to get ready is now. Not tomorrow, not after you clean up your life, not after you feel more worthy. Come to Jesus exactly as you are. He loves you right where you are, but He loves you too much to leave you that way.
The signs are all around us. The fig tree has budded. The generation that saw it is passing away. The birth pains are increasing in frequency and intensity. The door is still open, but it won't remain open forever.
Jesus is coming soon. Are you ready?