Answer: Matthew 24:5-8 gives us some important clues so we can discern the approach of the end times, “For 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.” An increase in false messiahs, an increase in warfare, and increases in famines, plagues, and natural disasters—these are signs of the end times. In this passage, though, we are given a warning: we are not to be deceived, because these events are only the beginning of birth pains; the end is still to come.
Some interpreters point to every earthquake, every political upheaval, and every attack on Israel as a sure sign that the end times are rapidly approaching. While the events may signal the approach of the last days, they are not necessarily indicators that the end times have arrived. The apostle Paul warned that the last days would bring a marked 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” (1 Timothy 4:1). The last days are described as “perilous times” because of the increasingly evil character of man and people who actively “resist the truth” (2 Timothy 3:1-9; see also 2 Thessalonians 2:3).
Other possible signs would include a rebuilding of a Jewish temple in Jerusalem, increased hostility towards Israel, and advances toward a one-world government. The most prominent sign of the end times, however, is the nation of Israel. In 1948, Israel was recognized as a sovereign state, essentially for the first time since A.D. 70. God promised Abraham that his posterity would have Canaan as “an everlasting possession” (Genesis 17:8), and Ezekiel prophesied a physical and spiritual resuscitation of Israel (Ezekiel chapter 37). Having Israel as a nation in its own land is important in light of end times prophecy because of Israel’s prominence in eschatology (Daniel 10:14; 11:41; Revelation 11:8).
With these signs in mind, we can be wise and discerning in regard to the expectation of the end times. We should not, however, interpret any of these singular events as a clear indication of the soon arrival of the end times. God has given us enough information that we can be prepared, and that is what we are called to be.
Thoughts on the QOTW?
What are your thoughts on this week’s QOTW? – http://www.gotquestions.org/questweek.html – “What signs indicate that the end times are approaching?”
2 Comments »
- Comment by Debbie
I believe via Scripture that Israel is the time clock. There are current events that are fulfilling the Book of Ezekiel. Turkey joining the Islamic union and rejecting her former Christian status was a huge sign. Palestine announcing they will declare independence early this summer is another sign which could easily set up the Gog-Magog invasion. There are signs in nature as well. Look at some of the signs in the Book of Revelation. The blood moon (total lunar eclipses) are a sign. Research when they fall in the coming years. The Jewish Feast Days are another sign in past that seem to reveal events. The signs are visible to those who read and believe God’s Word. I am still waiting for the physical temple in Jerusalem to be rebuilt. I know that everything from the stones, priestly garments to the red heifer are ready and waiting, but have not been instituted. Until He comes, I must keep doing what He requires of believers, but I know in my heart it is soon….
MARANATHA - Comment by alvin
I was just wondering today if dna had shed any light on the 10 lost tribes of Israel. so i googled. (and giggled) amid the misinformation it appears that the tribes may indeed be spread among every nation of earth, and revelation does state that 12,000 will preach the gospel from each tribe in those days. Are we now at the edge of knowing who the 10 tribes are?
It also now appears that tubal of the meschek and tubal prophecies may be tbilisi in the land of georgia where a major oil pipeline is going in or already placed
weather
internet set to become the greatest monopoply of all time
identity theft leading toward a call for a personal mark, on the forehead for the brave and on the hand for those who do not want to be readily indentified
itching ears of many causing the health and wealth of false prophets in all lands.
thats a start
oh, i do not think Jesus will return on May 21 as one little cult claims, but would not be surprised at all if He came before that instead of after. - Comment by Michael James Stone
Signs of the Times are not the “Global Events” necessarily that Jesus spoke of, because Who he spoke to, (besides you and me today) had no concept of the “global events” that we so often add to his words.
He spoke to common people dealing in an environment they could recognize all around them.
Without Television, WOULD WE see a Sign in every event?
Without the INTERNET would we keep making predictions every election year, millenium or pay attention to the LATEST GREATEST ABSOLUTE BEST SELLER Christian Bookstores have for us?
The Signs of the Times were meant to be local to Israel, but also understandable as easily as the weather. You see a cloud you don’t take an umbrella, but if you see a really dark sky full of clouds, then you pretty much plan on rain.
THAT is how Jesus described the signs of his soon returning.
So if you are adding up a list than involves what is occurring IN ISRAEL as if you were standing THERE looking out, then maybe you get a better perspective and point of view.
BUT if you go by the BUZZ WORDS; SOUND BITES; PROPHECY SPINS; and general”hyper” mentality people take in looking at Prophecy and the Signs of the Times of His Coming, then Everyday you have to Find and Create an even bigger “fix” because the Lord may not use your exaggeration in His Explanation as He recorded it in Matthew.
Do I Believe we are in the Last Generation? Yes. Does that mean the 2011, 2012 fanatics or the Psalm 38 War Criers? No.
What it means is I carefully sit down, pray, examine what is true, and see if the pieces I am given fit, or do I have to be told they fit?
I can listen to a weather man tell me on a sunny day it’s going to rain, but you won’t find me carrying an umbrella with no cloud in the sky.
-Michael
By Don Koenig 
Harold Camping owns a large Christian radio network called “Family Stations, Inc.” (Family Radio). It has more than 150 outlets in the United States and it is broadcast worldwide via shortwave, it has a network of AM and FM radio stations, a cable television station, and the Internet. His organization also utilizes numerous low-power television signals. All that gives him a very large platform for his heretical teachings to reach the simple and the gullible. Believe it or not many thousands of people around the world are actually believing his heretical nonsense. 
