19 Signs of the End Times (from Bible Prophecy)
Are we living in the end times? How can you know for sure? Here are 19 signs, straight from the Bible, that show how close we are to the end of this age.
Join the Bible Prophecy Challenge to learn all about end-time prophecy.
Is it Possible to Know the End is Near?
Yes. In Matthew 24, after Jesus gave a sequence of events that would happen at the end of the age, He said, “when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” (Matthew 24:33)
Jesus Christ has given specific signs of the end times so we would be able to know when the end is near.
Sign 1: The Rise of Great Britain and America
Did you know that the Bible foretold that two powerful nations would rise in 1788? One nation would be the leader of a group of nations and become the greatest empire in history. The other nation would become the wealthiest and most powerful nation in history.
This prophecy about the last days was fulfilled right on time by Great Britain and the United States of America. To learn the amazing details about this prophecy, see lesson 2 of the Bible Prophecy Challenge.
Sign 2: An Explosion of Knowledge
The book of Daniel in the Bible contains many prophecies about the end times. After the angel Michael told Daniel the sequence of end-time events, he said:
“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end. Many will run back and forth, and knowledge will be increased.” (Daniel 12:4)
This statement foretold that a short time before the end, there would be an increase in travel and knowledge. Has this been fulfilled? Just look around you.
Sign 3: The Jews Return to the Land of Israel
In 1916, during World War I, Great Britain and France made a secret treaty to divide the Middle East and create a special international zone in the area of modern Israel. With help from the British, the Arabs began a revolt, and soon after the allied forces invaded Palestine. These events opened the way for the Jews to return to the land of Israel.
Many Bible prophecies show that many of the Jews will be living in the land of Israel at the end of the age. In fact, the Bible even foretold that 1916 would be a major turning point for the Jewish people. To learn more, see lessons 2 and 7 of the Bible Prophecy Challenge.
Sign 4: The Rise of Germany
After World War II, most people were sure that Germany would never rise again. But those who understood end-time Bible prophecy confidently foretold that Germany would rise again to become the leading power in Europe and the world.
In lesson 1 of the Bible Prophecy Challenge you will find out what happened on October 4, 1982, and how a prophecy fulfilled on that day links Germany to end-time prophecies. You will also learn how Germany’s recent pledge to spend 100 billion euros to build up its army is fulfilling prophecies about the end-time.
Sign 5: The Decline of the USA and Northwestern Europe
Great Britain used to be the leading nation in the world. Now, especially after Brexit, Great Britain is struggling to find its place in the world.
In 2021 the world watched as America ran away from Afghanistan as the Taliban reversed decades of war in a few days.
The troubles in America and Great Britain, Canada and Australia, France and the rest of Northwestern Europe are obvious.
The Bible predicts many specific troubles these countries are experiencing now, and will experience in the next few years. You can find out many of the details in lesson 3 and 7 of the Bible Prophecy Challenge, but you need to study lesson 2 first to understand the prophecies (each lesson builds on your understanding of end-time prophecy step by step). Will America and the West recover from these trouble or will they collapse? Check out the lessons to find out!
Sign 6: Skepticism and Disbelief
The Bible foretells that in the last days, many people will scoff at Bible prophecies:
in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of his arrival? For, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-4)
In the past 150 years several billion people have learn at home and at school that there is no God and the Bible is a book of myths. Even some who claim to be Christians have no interest in end-time prophecy, because they don’t think anything important will happen any time soon. This lack of belief is one sign of the end times.
Sign 7: Widespread Selfishness
Here is another sign of the end times:
But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. (1 Timothy 3:1-5)
Is this an accurate description of our age? You decide.
Sign 8: The Rise of a False Christianity
When Jesus taught His followers about the end times, the very first thing He said was:
Watch out so that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying I am the Christ, and they will lead many astray. (Matthew 24:4-5)
Many people think Jesus was only warning about people who claim to be Christ. But Jesus was also warning of a more subtle danger. He said that there would be many who come in His name, in the name of Christianity, and who say that Jesus is the Christ.
The Bible foretells that at the end-time, a powerful, miracle-working prophet will deceive the world with his signs. What you may not realize, is that the Bible show that this prophet will claim to be the legitimate leader of Christianity! Join the Bible Prophecy Challenge to learn the details in lesson 6, 7, and 9.
Sign 9: Wars, Famine, Disease, and Death
Among the sign that Jesus foretold would come before the end are wars, news of war, famine, disease, and death (Matthew 24:6-7). There are wars, famines, and disease now, but the troubles that Jesus predicted will come after a false Christianity begins to rise. In the final stage of these troubles, one-quarter of humanity will die (Revelation 6:8). The end will not come until after one-quarter of the world’s population dies. To learn more, see lesson 6 of the Bible Prophecy Challenge.
Sign 10: The Persecution of Real Christians
Jesus told His followers:
At that time they will hand you over to oppression, and will kill you. And you will be hated by all the nations because of My name. (Matthew 24:9)
This persecution will not come on all who claim to be Christians. It will be directed at those who actually follow and teach what Jesus taught. But those who endure these trials will be counted worthy to escape the Great Tribulation. To learn more, see lesson 8 of the Bible Prophecy Challenge.
Sign 11: The True Gospel is Preached
Jesus said that shortly before the end of the age, the gospel of the Kingdom would be preached everywhere in the world:
And this good news of the Kingdom will be proclaimed in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)
There are still many who have not heard Christ’s true gospel yet. This sign has not been completed yet.
And just what is “the gospel of the Kingdom”? See lesson 11 of the Bible Prophecy Challenge to find out.
Sign 12: A Muslim Attack on Europe
In the book of Daniel we find a prophecy about a war between the King of the South and the King of the North. This war marks the beginning of “the time of the end” (Daniel 11:40).
The King of the North, coming out of Europe, will respond to this attack with an invasion of North Africa and the Middle East. He will conquer Egypt, invade many lands, and many of the countries of North Africa and the Middle East will submit to him.
To learn more details about this war, see lesson 7 of the Bible Prophecy Challenge.
Sign 13: Sacrifices Stop in Jerusalem
Just 45 days after the war in North Africa the Middle East begins, the King of the North will stop the daily sacrifices in Jerusalem and set up an image in the holy place called the Abomination of Desolation.
That means that the Jews must begin performing daily sacrifices in Jerusalem before this prophecy can be fulfilled. However, one prophecy indicates that the daily sacrifices may only begin a short time before they are stopped (Hosea 5:6-7).
To learn about these prophecies and how the Bible reveals the timing and sequence of these events, see lesson 7 of the Bible Prophecy Challenge.
Sign 14: A Group of People are Taken Away
The Bible says that there is a specific group of people who will be protected during the tribulation. Who are they? Where will they be taken? See lesson 8 of the Bible Prophecy Challenge for the surprising answers. It’s not what you expect!
Sign 15: The Great Tribulation
Jesus described the Great Tribulation in this way:
then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be. And if those days were not shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22)
This will be a time of trouble for many, but the Bible actually predicts that it will be a time of great prosperity for some. During the Great Tribulation, the False Prophet will force everyone to receive the Mark of the Beast. To learn about the Great Tribulation and find out what the Mark of the Beast is (straight from the Bible), see lessons 8 and 9 of the Bible Prophecy Challenge.
Sign 16: The Day of the Lord
What is the “Day of the Lord”? How is it different from the Great Tribulation? The Bible actually says that the day of the Lord does not begin until after the Great Tribulation is finished. In lesson 7 of the Bible Prophecy Challenge you will see the scriptures that explain what the Day of the Lord is, and how long it will last.
Sign 17: The Return of Christ
Finally, at the end of the Day of the Lord, Jesus Christ will appear in the sky. Everyone will see Him, and everyone will hear the sound of a loud trumpet. At that time, Jesus will be proclaimed as the King of the earth. But the world will not immediately accept their king. To find out what happens on that day and the days that follow, see lesson 10 of the Bible Prophecy Challenge.
Sign 18: Armageddon
Shortly after Christ appears in the sky, the nations of the world will form a plan to overthrow Him (Psalms 2). Huge armies will gather at Mount Megiddo (Armageddon) in Northern Israel, and from there they will march toward Jerusalem to fight Christ. Learn all about the battle, and which nations will be there, in lesson 10 of the Bible Prophecy Challenge.
Sign 19: The Kingdom of God is Established on Earth
This may surprise you, but the Bible clearly foretells that God will set up His Kingdom on Earth—not heaven. To learn what this kingdom will be like, and what purpose it will serve, see lesson 11 of the Bible Prophecy Challenge.
God Wants You to Study End-Time Prophecy
Think about this: Should you believe what some random guy put on the internet?
Absolutely not!
You shouldn’t believe anything you just read, unless you can prove it in the Bible. Yes. God actually wants you to read the Bible!
The Bible says:
“Do not despise prophecies. Test all things. Hold on to the good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21)
Are you going to do what the Bible says?
Are you going to learn what the Bible really says about the end times, before it’s too late?
If not, you will be deceived by the false Christianity that Jesus said would dominate the world at the end (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Revelation 13:14).
You need to understand Bible prophecy so you will recognize what is happening in the world and will know how you can escape from the trouble ahead.
Join our challenge to learn about end-time prophecy.
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About the Author
Hi, I’m Ryan, the author of the lessons in this prophecy challenge.
I started teaching people about Bible prophecy about 20 years ago when I was a volunteer teacher in Thailand. Since that time, many prophecies about the last days have already been fulfilled.
The Bible has many more prophecies that predict big events that will happen in the next few years.
Events that are happening right now in Europe, Russia, America, and other places around the world are fulfilling Bible prophecy. These events will soon lead to the Great Tribulation and the return of Christ.
The Bible provides detailed information about the sequence and timing of end-time events. I am excited to share these amazing prophecies with you.
I hope you will join this challenge so you can understand the future, escape the difficult times ahead, and find real hope in God’s word.
How the Bible Prophecy Challenge Is Unique
In the Bible Prophecy Challenge, you will read end-time prophecies straight from the Bible. You will see for yourself what the Bible says.
You won’t need to believe me. I will just be your guide, to show you where to find the end-time prophecies in the Bible. I will show you where the meaning of each prophecy is explained in the Bible itself. If what I say doesn’t match the scriptures you read, then believe the Bible, not me!
Join our challenge to learn about end-time prophecy.
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