Bible prophecy topic

Signs of the Times

Where we are now, and what Jesus said to watch for. 9 questions, each answered from the books of Apostle Mary Banks with the scriptures it rests on.

• What are the signs of the end times Jesus gave in Matthew 24?

  In Matthew 24, Jesus lists a series of signs beginning with false christs, wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes, followed by persecution, betrayal, false prophets and a great falling away of love, then the abomination of desolation and great tribulation, and finally cosmic signs in the sun, moon and stars before He appears in glory.

• What does it mean that the days will be as the days of Noah?

  Jesus taught that His return will come at a time when people are absorbed in ordinary life, eating, drinking, marrying, completely unaware and unprepared, just as it was before the flood in Noah's day.

• What is the beginning of sorrows?

  The beginning of sorrows is the opening period of end time events that Jesus described in Matthew 24, marked by wars, nation rising against nation, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, followed by the persecution of believers, false prophets, and love growing cold as iniquity increases.

• Will there be false christs and false prophets before the end?

  Yes, Scripture is clear that before the end, false christs and false prophets will arise, showing great signs and wonders in an attempt to deceive even the elect of God.

• What is the great falling away?

  The great falling away is the large scale departure of the professing church from the truth of the Gospel, which Scripture says must happen before the antichrist is revealed and before the Day of the Lord comes.

• Why will the love of many wax cold in the last days?

  Love grows cold in the last days because iniquity abounds: fierce persecution, betrayal, and a flood of false prophets wear down the saints until many are offended and turn from serving the Lord to serving their own lusts.

• What does the fig tree parable teach about the end times?

  The fig tree parable teaches that just as budding leaves signal that summer is near, the signs Jesus lists (the tribulation, the darkened sun and moon, falling stars, and His sign appearing in heaven) signal that His coming is near, even at the door.

• How should we respond to wars and rumours of wars?

  Scripture teaches that when we hear of wars and rumors of wars we are not to be troubled, because these things must come to pass but the end is not yet; they are only the beginning of sorrows that will lead into greater tribulation.

• Is the gospel being preached to all nations a sign of the end?

  Yes. Scripture directly ties the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom to all nations to the coming of the end, teaching that the end will not arrive until every nation has heard it.