People “find” signs of the End Times in countless places. They might:
- Hear about an upheaval in the Middle East.
- Learn about a new war or threat of war.
- Watch a video on TikTok or YouTube that convinces them that the end is near.
- Think that a new political leader is the Antichrist.
- Or have fears about the implications of modern technology.
For example, in 2014 and 2015, many people were convinced that the End Times were coming because of the blood moon prophecies that were popularized by John Hagee and Mark Blitz. Hagee’s book Four Blood Moons even became a best-seller. Of course, these supposedly apocalyptic signs came and passed, and the end did not come.
More recent events also sparked concern among Christians, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Rumors spread among certain Christians that the vaccine was the Mark of the Beast.
Similarly, since the Euphrates River has been drying up in the past few years, some people assume this is a sign of the end.
In many ways, it is easy to get wrapped up in the tumult of the times and question the significance of events going on in the world.
However, as Christians, we need to test everything against the Bible. People can claim anything is a sign or formulate theories that do not align with a biblical view of prophecy.
As Scripture says, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
We need to evaluate anything that we think is a sign of the End Times. By doing so, we can avoid getting swept away by theories and fear-based claims.
Before buying that new book that claims to give evidence that the apocalypse is here, or watching a video that claims technological advances or a new political leader is related to the Beast in Revelation, stop and think.
Do not assume that everything you hear or read is true, or that you should even give these sources your attention.
To help you evaluate whether something is a sign of the end times, consider the following questions.
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1. Why Do I Think This Is a Sign?
By asking yourself this question, you can begin to think wisely and rationally about your thoughts. There is a reason a person would think a specific event, technology, or person is a “sign” of the End Times.
The event could elicit strong feelings from the person, or they might not like a specific political candidate. Maybe someone is naturally drawn to sensationalistic ideas and theories.
We need to be wary of assuming that something is a sign merely because it feels true, or it aligns with our feelings about an event, person, or item.
In addition to basing “signs” on strong feelings or a natural inclination toward theories, individuals might also try to find signs in events because they are fearful of the End Times.
A person will likely fall into this category if they avoid Revelation and End Times prophecy in Scripture. Fear could then persuade this person to find signs in events, people, and items.
Sometimes, people who promote specific signs and prophecies try to draw on the strong emotions or curiosity of Christians so they can create a following for themselves or make a great deal of money on their teachings.
These individuals will prey on those who are more inclined to search for information about signs of the End Times or those who are fearful of events going on in the world. Hence, we need to stop and think about the reasons we think something is a sign.
Recognizing the reason that you think something is a sign is a good starting place for practicing discernment.
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2. Where Did I Learn This?
After asking yourself why you think something is a sign, you also need to question where you got your information. Did you hear about the sign on social media or in an article?
Did you read a book that influenced your belief that something is a sign of the End Times? Or were you told that something is a sign by someone you know and trust?
If the information came from a social media page, video, article, or book, then closely examine the person or organization that created the source.
Most ministries and Christian organizations have doctrine or mission statements that explain their beliefs about God and the Bible. Look over these documents carefully.
If the person who created the source claims to be a prophet, then examine their past predictions. According to Scripture, a person is a false prophet if their prophecy did not come to pass (Deuteronomy 18:22; Jeremiah 28:9).
Also, be wary of those who claim they receive direct revelation from God or have higher authority than the Bible. The canon of Scripture is closed (Revelation 22:18-19).
Carefully and wisely examining sources is important for Christians to do. Throughout church history, false teachers have been present, trying to lure Christians into believing their lies (see Matthew 7:15).
As 2 Peter 2:1 says, “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them — bringing swift destruction on themselves.” We are wise to test every teaching that we encounter.
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3. Does the Sign Align with Scripture?
Now that you have rationally thought through the reason you think something is a sign and examined where you got your information from, you need to compare the sign with Scripture.
Does it match what you read in the Bible? At this point, you need to be careful not to try to force the sign into a Bible verse but rightfully handle God’s Word by allowing it to speak for itself (2 Timothy 2:15).
To see how this would work in application, let’s use an example. Maybe you heard about a new technology and watched a video that claimed this technology is the Mark of the Beast. First, you need to examine what the Bible says about the Mark of the Beast.
Revelation teaches that the mark is something that people will receive after the Abomination of Desolation occurs in the middle half of the Tribulation (Revelation 13:5-6, 16-17; see also Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:4).
This mark will be visible on a person’s hand or forehead and will be required for people to buy and sell items (Revelation 13:16). Furthermore, the person who gets the mark will pledge their allegiance to the Beast and worship him (Revelation 13:8; 14:9-11).
Let’s pause and ask if the technology matches the biblical description of the mark of the Beast. The Mark of the Beast will be a visible mark that people will get on their hands and foreheads, so technologies like microchips and vaccines, for example, would not fit the description.
By comparing the supposed “sign,” to Scripture, we will easily discern if it is a true sign. Although people might feel afraid and distrustful of new technology, this does not mean that the end is near.
Also, if we stop and examine the world today, we know that the Beast, also known as the Antichrist, has not made a treaty with Israel, and has not broken it by setting himself up in the Temple to be worshiped (Daniel 9:27).
In fact, the Temple has not been rebuilt. Also, the Antichrist is not present and is not forcing people to receive his mark.
People are not being killed by refusing to worship the Beast and receive the mark (Revelation 13:15). Therefore, the Mark of the Beast cannot be present in the world today.
Compare anything that you think is a sign to Scripture.
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4. What Did Jesus Say about Looking for Signs?
After doing all the following steps, some Christians may pause, and say, “Wait. Didn’t Jesus say there would be signs of the End Times?”
Yes, He did talk about how people would be able to discern that the end is near, just as people can see signs that summer is near when new growth appears on a fig tree (Matthew 24:32-33). However, Jesus said that people would be able to tell that the end is near, not that it is “here.”
In the same passage in which Christ tells us that we can see signs that the end is near, He also said that no one will know the time of His return.
As He said, “But about that day or hour no one knows” (Matthew 24:36). Christians should not believe anyone or any source that sets dates for the end or claims they know when Jesus is coming. He said no one can know when that will occur.
Furthermore, major worldwide events will continue to happen before the end comes. Wars, famines, and earthquakes are all listed as significant events, but these are not signs.
The Lord clearly said, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come” (Matthew 24:6, emphasis added).
Major world events can be distressing and unsettling, but we should not take these as signs of the end. Jesus told us to be wary of making such judgments.
The next time you think something is a sign of the End Times, remember what Jesus said about looking for signs.
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5. Does Searching for Signs Match My Identity as a Christian?
Finally, after going over all the previous questions, you need to stop and think about whether searching for signs matches your identity as a follower of Christ.
During the New Testament, the disciples believed that they were living in the last days and that Jesus’ coming was imminent (1 John 2:18; 1 Peter 4:7). We might scratch our heads at this notion since Jesus did not return during the time of the early church.
In fact, almost 2,000 years have passed since Jesus ascended. However, the disciples were correct. They were living in the last days. We are, too.
The last days, or “last hour,” as John called it, started with Jesus’ first coming, which involved His death, resurrection, and ascension. Thus, the last days are sandwiched between Christ’s first coming and second coming.
Although we are in the last days, just as the disciples were, the end times are not yet here. Many momentous events of prophecy will need to occur before the end comes.
Although there are different views of eschatology among Christians, Scripture describes a time of Great Tribulation, which starts when the Antichrist makes a seven-year treaty with Israel (Daniel 9:27).
He will break this treaty in the middle of the seven years and set himself up to be worshiped in the Temple in an event known as the Abomination of Desolation.
The various judgments that are included in Revelation, such as the seal, bowl, and trumpet judgments, will occur during the Tribulation (Revelation 6:1-17; 8:1-13; 9:1-19; 11:15-19; 16:1-21).
Finally, at the end of the seven years of Tribulation, at a time when no one expects, Christ will return in awesome glory, for all to see (Revelation 1:7; 19:11-16).
Since these events are not occurring currently, we should not waste time obsessively looking for signs of the end.
If we study God’s Word, we will discover that the passages that discuss the End Times encourage us to be ready by actively serving the Lord and using our time wisely (Matthew 24:42-47; Ephesians 5:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8).
After describing the future fiery destruction of the earth, Peter asks believers this question: “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?” (2 Peter 3:11).
His answer is relevant for all Christians: “You ought to live holy and godly lives.” Biblical prophecy and eschatology are not meant to produce a fearful paranoia in people, but to give believers hope for the future and a reminder to devote their lives fully to God.
When we think something is a sign, we need to remember to think rationally through our assumptions and sources and turn to Scripture. The Bible is the ultimate authority, not the “signs” of the end times we think we see.
For further reading:
What Are the Signs of the Times?
What Are the Signs of the Apocalypse?
What Are the Seven Signs in Revelation?
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Originally published Tuesday, 19 September 2023.