The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
The Bible makes it clear that we cannot know the time of the Lord’s return (Matthew 25:13), but we can know the season of the Lord’s return (1 Thessalonians 5:2-6).
Many are asking, including unbelievers, “What in the world is going on?” There has been much talk within the Christian community that the “time of the Lord’s return is close.” My pastor’s messages for the entire month of May have been on, “Signs of the end times.”
Paul LaLonde the producer of the popular end times movie, Left Behind, stated, that he has no doubt we are living in the end times so therefore it could happen tomorrow.
According to Bible scholar, Dr. David Jeremiah, Christians should be prepared for the next stages of the end times, which he argues was ushered in by Israel fulfilling Bible prophecy by reestablishing itself as a nation in 1948, after having no homeland for two millennia.
The Scriptures give us signs to watch for when Jesus Christ’s return is near.
Signs of natural disasters
“And there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven” (Luke 2:11).
Jesus said the signs will be like birth pangs (Matthew 24:8), meaning that they will increase with frequency and intensity before the Lord’s return.
A survey by the Public Religion Research Institute concluded more than a third of Americans see recent extreme weather as a sign that the world is in biblical end times.
Spiritual signs
“The time will come when they (professing Christians) will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away from the truth, and will turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
We are seeing numbers rising in cultic groups, apostasy, false christ’s, and occultism. The popular “seeker sensitive” mentality that invades our churches today preaches a “feel-good” gospel that is counterfeit and a watered-down version of the Gospel.
There are over 2,500 to 3,000 of various types of cults in the world today.
Signs of world wars
“You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars … for nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:6-7).
Since World War II, there have been 250 wars in 100 nations. This will only continue to increase as we near the tribulation.
Signs of spiritual and moral decline
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
These verses describe the characteristics of our culture today. We are seeing an increase of homosexuality, adultery, bestiality, pornography (including child pornography), and violence. People are not as concerned any longer that these are SINS, but more concerned about acceptance and tolerance.
There are many other end time signs as well. Do you believe we are living in the end times? What are some end times signs you can share with our readers?
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In Timothy’s verse above, I see very little that is DIRECTLY related to sins of a sexual nature. Yet those are the only types of sins that you cite as being prevalent today…except that you included violence. I believe that more importantly, it has to do with how we relate to God and our fellow man…whether we love (truly LOVE) God and give Him due attention through prayer and have strong faith in His love for us and that He will help if we ask and that we cultivate a personal relationship with Him…and whether we love others as Jesus taught us to do.
I lost my dear wife suddenly and unexpectedly early last year. Her name was Sandy. She was awesome. She had a genuine love for our creator and other people. She took time to spend quietly with God and ALWAYS watched for oportunities to give of herself to others…either in word or deed. (in addition to being a loving nurse for 40 years and for most of that time taking care of the elderly) I saw her do many very nice things for people…even strangers…and she took great joy in doing so. She rarely took credit for all the good she did. I’d tell her how proud I was of her, and she’d invariably say, “To GOD goes the glory…I’m just a vessel of His love.”…and she’d give me a great big smile.
Sandy believed (as I do) that we would all do well to pay more attention to our own actions than those of others…and to make every effort to do as I stated above and to be as understanding, forgiving, and yes…accepting and tolerant…and non-judgemental as we can possibly be. To love God, to love others, and to help others when there seems to be an opportunity that God has presented to us. And that the best way to honor our Lord IS to love others.
Granted…maybe someone isn’t doing as they should or they’re doing things they shouldn’t. And as time moves on, there seems to be more and more of that. But that’s mostly between them and God. And it’s not really our place to judge or to intercede. And the best we can do is to pray for them and inspire by example…as my dear Sandy did.
There was another thing that Sandy frequently said. (among others) “We need to thank and praise God no matter what…no matter WHAT happens.” As many people in this world seem to continue moving further and further away from God, and inhumanity becomes the norm, and even as this earth may begin to tremble and quake…we are NOT to fear. Simply continue doing the best we can to do as our Lord wishes…to love God and OTHERS. For NONE of us is without sin, and we can only depend on the the grace of God and the terrible sacrifice Jesus made for our salvation.
God bless us…everyone.
Praise to God…always and forever…”no matter what.”
Thank you for your comment. I am so sorry for the loss of your wife. I know that must be difficult. I agree that we are to love like Jesus did. There is a fine balance of loving the person and not the sin. I do not believe sexual sins are the only sins that we are seeing in these times, as my article stated there is an increase in natural disasters, violence, wars, the occultic, and the apostate church. It is not just one sin I’m pointing out. I do not feel it is my place to judge the person, but Gods Word says we can judge the sin. Please read my article on “How we can minister to the LGBT community.”
Thank you so much for taking the time to write so much. I value and appreciate all that you expressed. I do “hear” what you are saying. May our Lord fill you today with His love, comfort, and peace.
Many blessings to you and thank you again for your time to write from your heart.