With numerous natural disasters and continued crises, many people wonder if these are the signs of the end of time. There are even a number of websites that outline certain signs of a sure end such as: a coming financial collapse, moral decline, and the progressive implementation of governmental regulations (bibleplus.org). But, are these really signs? When will the end of time really come? Concern about the end of time is nothing new. In fact, the it goes back at least over 1,900 years to the church at Thessalonica who was concerned about it around the year 51 AD. The apostle Paul told them, “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1 The. 5:1-3). Paul revealed that there will be no signs of the Lord’s return. It will be a normal day with “sudden” destruction. Those who want a sign of the end of time today are no different from the Pharisees and Sadducees who wanted a “sign from heaven” to show that Jesus was really the Messiah (Mat. 16:1). Jesus’ “sighed deeply” at them, pointed out their unfaithfulness, and revealed there would be no sign given to them except His own resurrection (Mark 8:12; Mat. 16:4; 12:38-40). Surely the Lord is “sighing deeply” today as multitudes are being misled by mockers (2 Pet. 3:3) and false teachers (2 Pet. 2:1) seeking a sign of His return. The Lord has simply said, “be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Mat. 24:44).
~Derrick Coble
~Derrick Coble