– Nearer to our home than when we believed! (Romans 13:11)

In our day, the pace at which the signs of the times are being fulfilled is alarming. The media is full of stories that speak for themselves in this line. As we see these signs, I reasoned within myself that in any way they cannot be taken for granted. By August 9, 2011 I finally resolved to take a stock of them by viewing them in light of the beginning of eternity.

Our Lord Jesus Christ spoke so emphatically that “heaven and earth shall pass away, but [His] words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35. So never, ever be tempted to doubt His words about His soon coming. For He further says, “Behold, I come quickly.” Revelation 22:12. In mercy to His children, He (and through His servants) gave several signs to them (His children), that would be the last tokens of His imminent return. Are these signs all in the future? No. As this article will show, most of them have already been fulfilled in the past while others are on the stage of fulfillment right now in our day. Little is still remaining to bring us to the final end.

Signs in Nature

“The sun [shall] be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven. . . .” Matthew 24:29. There will be “earthquakes, in divers places” (vs. 7). See also Revelation 6:12–13.

The sun was darkened already on May 17, 1780. On that day it became so dark that chickens went to roost (other animals too) thinking it was night time. “And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind,” on the night of November 12–13, 1833. The Lisbon earthquake, as it is termed, marked a clear fulfillment of Christ’s words on November 1, 1755. Actually it shook such an enormous area outside of Lisbon alone such that it is inappropriate to call it by such a name as some writers have maintained. Yet, more is evident in our day also as reinforcement to it. We may remind ourselves about the following:

  • The Haiti earthquake with its effects still being felt now.
  • The earthquake in Chile which happened soon after the one in Haiti.
  • The Japan earthquake coupled with a tsunami having disastrous effect on many lives in Japan.

Regarding floods and landslides, recall the:

  • massive floods in Australia not long ago, which according to BBC radio covered an area more than France and Germany
  • landslide in Brazil which killed about 400 people and left about 1000 homeless. (guardian.co.uk/world/2011/…/brazil–landslides-death-toll-rises)

Signs in Social/Human Physical Condition and Behaviour

“There shall be famines, and pestilences. . . .” Matthew 24:7. “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, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”  2 Timothy 3:2–4

  • Consider the critical famine currently in Somalia, attracting the attention of the world to act to save lives.
  • Pestilences: HIV and AIDS with many other chronic diseases – cancer, TB, etc.
  • Legalization of same-sex marriages by many governments including some states in the USA and South Africa standing out in the matter just shows how far lawlessness has gone.
  • Immorality is the order of the day beginning all the way from Hollywood to the rest of the world being drunk with it (only God’s people have been immune).

Signs in the Religious World

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:24. (This is spoken of three times in this chapter alone.  See also verses 5, 11.)

  • On this matter little may need to be listed as everyone can see the rapid increase in the number of churches, ministries, independent movements, and so forth. Here we see for ourselves in many countries across the globe these false prophets, preachers, and Christs rising. Notable are the Pentecostal movements being seen emanating from Nigeria, just to mention one country.
  • Consider also ecumenism coupled with the union of church and state.

Political Signs

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. . . .”  Matthew 24:6

Here the list may be longer, but efforts to exhaust everything may not be fruitful because the world is too big.  Also as I was writing each day, I kept hearing more with the result that space eventually became limited.

What has been called the September 11 attack on the Twin Towers in New York and in Washington may be a good starting point.

  • the relatively old wars of Iraq and Afghanistan are worth mentioning as they are still on the stage for observation and reminder.
  • the Kenyan election violence of 2007 which had its roots in the desire for supremacy left many people killed by hacking or torching, among others.
  • the Tunisian protests demanding reforms and regime change.
  • the Egyptian revolution which remains current.
  • the Libyan conflict which has involved many nations in the war.
  • The Syrian revolution currently in progress.
  • Malawi, July 20–21, demonstrations and rioting demanding good governance which saw 18 people dead. The situation remains fragile as it is being said these demonstrations will resume.
  • Somali militants are shedding blood everyday under the shield of what they call a “holy war.”
  • The war in Abyei region, the border between South and North Sudan.
  • The protests in Yemen.
  • Demand for independence in Papua New Guinea.
  • The UK/London unprecedented violence—very unbelievable in its nature to happen in such a country (the cause of which has left leaders speculating).
  • Suicide bombers in various parts of the world such as Pakistan.
  • Ugandan protests against rising cost of living with soaring food prices.
  • Botswana (a country ranked among the first in the whole world in peace index) has had civil strikes demanding higher pay.
  • In Kenya protests against high fuel prices.
  • Strikes in South Africa.
  • In Saudi Arabia rumours were spreading—the people needed a revolution and only one was bold enough to start it, but the rest were threatened and remained in their homes.
  • A similar situation was reported about Swaziland.
  • In Guinea there was an attempted coup to take power from President Conde.

Signs in the economy

“Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.” James 5:4

  • What is reported of America’s economy today? By downgrading its debt rating, many world stock markets have continued to respond negatively, with some analysts predicting that America is heading towards another recession.
  • What about the Euro zone debt crisis? Well, it speaks for itself.
  • Swaziland recently had no money for operations and was only bailed out by South Africa through loans, after long negotiations; with South Africa maintaining that the debt be given in exchange for change.

Signs within Science

“Even to the time of the end: . . . knowledge shall be increased.” Daniel 12:4

  • Now people have reached the moon. Recently, Atlantis (America’s space shuttle) safely touched down in Florida, with shuttle commander Chris Ferguson pledging that America will continue to explore.

We as the people of God, let us not be blind as others would be. When they are asked, they only take them as usual matters with no link to the nearness of our Lord’s return. When we see these signs, we must always view them in light of eternity, for they are tokens of our deliverance. As we come closer and closer to that glorious event, the more we shall see. “So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Matthew 24:33

I would like to end with the following statements from the pen of inspiration with the hope that they will entice me and you to renew our commitment to God. If we do this before then, then at that time we may happily stand by His side in glory:

“Everything in the world is in agitation. The signs of the times are ominous. Coming events cast their shadows before. The Spirit of God is withdrawing from the earth, and calamity follows calamity by sea and by land. There are tempests, earthquakes, fires, floods, murders of every grade. Who can read the future? Where is security? There is assurance in nothing that is human or earthly. Rapidly are men ranging themselves under the banner they have chosen. Restlessly are they waiting and watching the movements of their leaders. There are those who are waiting and watching and working for our Lord’s appearing. Another class are falling into line under the generalship of the first great apostate. Few believe with heart and soul that we have a hell to shun and a heaven to win.

“The crisis is stealing gradually upon us. The sun shines in the heavens, passing over its usual round, and the heavens still declare the glory of God. Men are still eating and drinking, planting and building, marrying, and giving in marriage. Merchants are still buying and selling. Men are jostling one against another, contending for the highest place. Pleasure lovers are still crowding to theaters, horse races, gambling hells. The highest excitement prevails, yet probation’s hour is fast closing, and every case is about to be eternally decided. Satan sees that his time is short. He has set all his agencies at work that men may be deceived, deluded, occupied and entranced, until the day of probation shall be ended, and the door of mercy be forever shut.

“Solemnly there come to us down through the centuries the warning words of our Lord from the Mount of Olives: ‘Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.’ ‘Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.’” –The Desire of Ages, p. 636. AMEN.                                                                                                                                                                                    

Joel J. Msiska,

Malawi