Are We in the End Times?
With so much happening in the world, it is easy to feel uncertain about what the future has in store. For many people, the end of the world must be near because it feels like we are living in the last days. A recent sermon by Pastor Mike Signorelli examines what the Bible actually says about the signs of the end times and how believers should respond.
Signs the End Is Near
Jesus was asked by His disciples what were the signs of the end of time. In Matthew 24:4–14 He gave specific details.
He answered:
“Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ 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. All these are the beginning of birth pains. “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Jesus listed the aforementioned things as the beginning of birth pains. While all things are pretty frightening, as followers of God, we are not to be alarmed because our fate is sealed in Christ. The more time we spend in worry that becomes worship of the thing we are worrying about. Believers must turn their worry into worship.
Discern The End
There are three factors that are very important to discerning whether we are in the end times. When reading the endtime prophecies in Daniel 10, 11 and Revelation 11 we are directed to 3 things that will take place before the end comes.
The rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem – Many in the Jewish community want to rebuild the Temple. There have been organizations formed to prepare for the rebuilding, including the Temple Institute.
Increased hostility towards Israel – Anti-semitism has had a strong resurgence since the heinous October 7, 2023 terrorist attack in Israel by Hamas. There is a demonic force behind the attempt to annihilate the Jewish people off the planet and Israel is currently at war fighting on 7 different fronts.
Advances in a one world government – Pastor Mike says the United Nations has been in talks of making a one world system to bring a “false” version of unity. The false unity will be a precursor to the anti-christ system.
The Bible is clear in Matthew 24:36 that no man knows the time and day of the end. Pastor Mike warns believers not to be led astray by allowing themselves to be discipled by conspiracy theorists instead of Christ. Verse 24 of the same chapter states that the very elect will be deceived, so it is important that every believer follow the truth of scripture instead of men.
There are further details of the end of the age in Daniel 12. Verse 4 says that travel and knowledge will increase towards the end. In our lifetime knowledge has vastly increased by virtue of technology. Additionally, less than 100 years ago taking a flight was considered a luxury and people would dress up to board a plane, today, many people are traveling. Verse 11 goes on to talk about the appearance of the abomination of desolation, which is a blasphemous display in the place of the holy temple where animals would be sacrificed unto the Lord. Pastor Mike talked about being in Israel and seeing first hand that there are plans to reinstate temple worship.
Another sign would be the rise of the anti-christ. In verse 7 of Daniel 12 the anti-christ is swearing by heaven. To discern whether the anti-christ system or the precursor of it in the earth today we have to know what that system is. Pastor Mike says the system of false unity and peace (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
Satan is not a creator, he is an emulator. He perverts and distorts God’s truth. Jesus while he was alive said that the message of the gospel will bring division which is the opposite of world-wide unity.
“Be careful singing (the song) ‘We Are the World’ because the whole world is going to hell without the gospel,” Pastor Mike declared.
The global minister said no one knows the day of the end but we can all discern that the contractions are getting stronger and stronger. Going back to Daniel 12, in verse 1 it speaks of great distress in the world. Gen Z is showing a great zeal as God is bringing conviction through the current distress. Verses 2 and 3 says those who are dead will awake and some go to everlasting life and others will awake to shame and everlasting contempt. The good news is that every person is eternal and we will all be resurrected, however where we head after the resurrection is up to us.
The last sign Jesus told his disciples of the end in Matthew 24:14 is that the “gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
The question is not are we in the end, it should be are we united enough to bring the end? Are Christian doing our part to share the gospel before the end comes? Pastor Mike charged believers to be a global voice of the gospel to all people. The anti-christ is not in control of the end; he is just a pawn that will expose those who are sheep or goat.
The believers final destination is seen Revelation 7:9, 10 where followers of Christ are all in the white robes waving the palm branch of victory declaring:
“Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
About the Author
Jeannie Ortega Law is a chart-topping singer, evangelist, media personality and author from New York City. She can be reached on social media: @JeannieOrtega or emailed at Info@JeannieO.com
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