Are We Living in the End Times?

In 1948, prophesy was fulfilled and that was the re-birth of Israel as a nation. The impact of that prophetic event is astounding; Israel, by the way, is referred to as "God's time clock." End times events could not take place without Israel back in their land. That was the most important occurrence that signals the impending return of Jesus Christ.

Today, many catastrophic events have either broken records or are "the worst since..." The breaks between these events are minute as well; they could be called birth pangs.

As a Christian, I believe in the pre-tribulation rapture, which is an event in the future where believers will change in the twinkling of an eye, without having died, and join Jesus in the sky. Jesus also said that there would be signs, although no one knows - not even the Angels - the exact date of His return.

The bible writes about many end times signs. Here are a few:

Israel's Re-birth
Luke 21:24
Prophesied in Ezekiel was that the nation of Israel would be reborn, which it was on May 14, 1948. In Matt 24:34 Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."

False Prophets
Matthew 24:5
"For many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and will mislead many."

The Decline of Morality
2 Timothy 3:1-4
To name just a few, people are described as: Selfish, boasters, envious, conceited, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, greedy, abusive, unforgiving, unloving, trucebreakers, false accusers, despisers of those that are good, traitors, and lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.

Wars and Famines
Matthew 24:6
Like birth pangs, Jesus said that the days just before his coming would see an increase in famines, violence and ethnic wars. Out of 6.55 billion people on the earth, 854 million are hungry, scores are starving. Violence and senseless murder are widespread, especially against children - born and unborn. A study of wars since 500 B.C. shows an increase. Of 82 world conflicts since 1990, all but three have been civil or ethnic.

Earthquakes
Matthew 24:7
From 1880 until Israel was reborn, there averaged only 2.3 earthquakes per decade worldwide above Richter 6.0. In the 1950's there were 9; in the 1960's, 13; in the 1970's, 51; in the 1980's, 86; the 1990's saw more than 100.

An Increase in Knowledge
Daniel 12:4
One only has to look at the advances in science, medicine, technology and the use of computers to recognize that no period in time has been this highly developed.

The New World Order
Daniel 7-12
Finances and political power will generate the NWO and then the Antichrist will emerge as a deceptively benevolent, peace-loving, charismatic public leader who will mesmerize the masses before unleashing hell on earth.

The Gospel Will be Preached Through out the World
Matthew 24:14
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come."

Travel and technology have made this possible and many believe that this has already been fulfilled.

My hope is that whether the rapture is a long way off or as near as the next day, people will recognize the great love that Jesus Christ has for them and will ask him for salvation; it can't be earned - it's a gift, and one that is greater than all others.

Related Links
Planet Earth's Wake Up Call

Seven Major Prophetic Signs Of The Second Coming

Prophetic Signs that we are in the End Times