THE SIGNS OF THE END TIMES? THEY ARE UPON US:

1. There will be false prophets, apostles, pastors, and teachers. There will be false Christs.

We are in this stage NOW! It is not as bad as it is going to get. We will see it grow as more and more false religious leaders appear. There area two stages here. First the false leaders and false Christs will appear, then we will see that they gain a great following and lead many  astray.

Matthew 24:5 ESV For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray.

Matthew 24:11 ESV And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

Matthew 24:23-24 ESV Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. (24) For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Jeremiah 14:14 ESV And the LORD said to me: "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.

Jeremiah 23:25-27 ESV I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' (26) How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, (27) who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal?

2. There will be wars, rumors of wars and nations will rise against nations.

Currently we have war ships posted in many places around the globe because of what we call "hot spots" where war can start in a moment. The worlds is walking on egg shells wondering not if, but when World War III will start.

Matthew 24:6-7 ESV And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. (7) For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Mark 13:7-8 ESV  And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. (8)  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains.

Luke 21:9-10 ESV And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once." (10) Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

3. There will be unbelievable earthquakes in strange places, famines, pestilences, and strange signs in the skies.

I want to properly identify the word pestilence. It is a contagious or infectious epidemic outbreak of a deadly disease that is devastating like the bubonic plague was. It is also a contagious epidemic outbreak of an evil influence or idea that is morally, emotionally, and spiritually devastating. We are currently seeing this being fulfilled. Many of the diseases that are across the globe are kept quiet in the media and need to be researched to find the name of the disease and the extent of the outbreak. Once these reaches full stage there will be no way the outbreaks can be hidden.

The epidemic evil influences and ideas are already at work. Sexual immorality, anti-Christian and anti-Bible influences are epidemic now.   

Luke 21:11 ESV  There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.

4. Christians being arrested, thrown in prison, or killed.

This is happening but not world-wide yet. However, this mindset is sweeping quickly across the globe. Europe and America will soon experience this.

Mark 13:9-10 ESV  "But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. (10)  And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.

Matthew 24:9-10 ESV  "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. (10)  And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.

Luke 21:12-19 ESV  But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. (13)  This will be your opportunity to bear witness. (14)  Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, (15)  for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. (16)  You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. (17)  You will be hated by all for my name's sake. (18)  But not a hair of your head will perish. (19)  By your endurance you will gain your lives.

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