"When you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near." - Luke 21:31
No one can tell us with certainty what tomorrow's weather will be except the one who causes it - God - but by listening to the weather report or looking at the sky, people use their eyes and their brains to at least make an educated guess about tomorrow's weather. Likewise, no one can tell us with certainly when the exact timing of Jesus' return will be except the one who will cause it to happen, God the Father (Mt. 12:36), but by listening to the right information sources, people can use their eyes and their brains to at least make an educated guess about how close we are to the return of Jesus Christ. Jesus said that when you see certain things begin to happen, "Look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near," and "when you see them happen the kingdom of God is near" (Luke 21:28,31). Jesus and Paul both taught that the proper way to wait for His return is to therefore be watchful, ready and sober (Matthew 24:42-44,25:13; 1 Th. 5:6).
The apostle John wrote that when Jesus appears, we who believe in Him shall become like him, and everyone having this hope in Him purifies himself (1 John 3:2,3). He also wrote that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). So two benefits of studying Bible prophecy and comparing it to world events are personal purification and a better understanding of Jesus. Besides, in 1 Th. 4:18, Christians are commanded to encourage each other with words about the return of Christ. Hebrews 10:24,25 also says that as we should regularly meet to encourage one another, especially as we see the Day of Jesus' return approaching.
Although we cannot say with certainty how today's events are related to Bible prophecy, it is unwise to ignore them. Following are 10 for your consideration. The first seven are already happening. The last three are in preparatory stages:
"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 ethnic nation will be raised up against ethnic nation, and kingdom against kingdom."(Matthew 24:6,7a) Since World War II, many countries have been building up massive arsenals of conventional and nuclear weapons. The potential for war grows day by day. In addition to potential nuclear war, we have other types of covert wars. (See Wars and Rumors of Wars.)
"And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold." (Matthew 24:12) Today, more and more people are living primarily for themselves and their own happiness. The idea of denying themselves, taking up their crosses and following Jesus (Luke 9:23) is a foreign concept. What TV and movies show as "normal" has affected the values of those who indulge in them. At the same time, couples are divorcing, and children are growing up with deep unmet needs as a result. Many couples are not even marrying but living together in fornication (any form of sex not sanctioned by God). The result has been the blood sacrifice (murder) of hundreds of millions of innocent, helpless children through abortion and the birthing of even more children who lack a healthy home where they can receive love and training from their own father and mother.
And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie. (2 Th. 2:11 NKJV)
The primary focus of the deception is use of the controlled corporate media by the Ruler of the domain of the air (Ephesians 2:2). TV, radio, Internet, cell phones, etc. keep people preoccupied. Most do not realize that they are part of a social engineering project.
Check out Scientism.
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We are already seeing the mixing of iron with clay (Daniel 2:43). Check out Satan's Digital Counterfeit of God's Communication with Humans.
7000 Years and Jesus Christ's Return
Due to targeted prayer for and sending to unreached people groups over the last 50 years, the percentage of unreached groups has been reduced from over 50% to around only 10%. This rate of acceleration means that the final 1000+ groups can be reached by 2028 or 2029, as indicated by the 7000-year plan mentioned in #8. For more information, see Joshua Project, Finishing the Task, and the International Missions Board
"And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." (Matthew 24:7b,8). Due to flooding and droughts, world food supplies are running very low. Many people are expecting a global food shortage and famines in many places.
Regarding earthquakes, scientific data does show that we have been seeing a large increase in seismic activity. According to a number of scientists, another star or large planet is affecting the sun's magnetic field, which is also affecting the earth's magnetic field - both the core and the ionosphere. The north pole is shifting at an accelerated pace, and the earth seems to be expanding. Thus, we should see a continual increase in earthquakes and volcanic activity in coming years. Stan Deyo follows earth changes very closely. He's a scientist and has written a lot on the subject. His web site covers numerous topics related to changes in the world today.