How Do We Know That Jesus Is Coming Back Soon?
That Jesus Christ is returning is a given. Three times in Revelation 22 Jesus promised that He will return (Revelation 22:7,12,20). Jesus said over and over, “Surely I am coming quickly.” He even added that we could trust this promise stating, “These words are faithful and true” (Revelation 22:6). Jesus’ return is a promise made by God, a promise found so prolifically in the Bible that you can read about Jesus’ Second coming in nearly 500 prophecies of the Old Testament and one out of 25 verses in the New Testament. That Jesus fulfilled all 300 First Coming prophecies 100% means you and I can be assured that all the Second Coming promises will be fulfilled as well.
But returning soon? It’s been nearly 2,000 years! From a human perspective that’s a very long time. Though, from God’s eternal perspective, not so much. For Him, it’s only been like 2 days.
Jesus didn’t make His promise to return soon without providing clues in the form of signs that would show us when His second advent will be getting nearer. When Jesus’ own Apostles asked this very same question — “What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” — Jesus provided 10 signs we are to look out for (Matthew 24; Luke 21; Mark 13). He said these signs would increase in frequency and intensity, like birth pains, the closer He got (Matthew 24:8).
Here are 10 signs Jesus gave that tell us we’re getting closer to His return:
1) False Messiahs
Jesus warned, “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them” (Luke 21:8).
We live in a time like no other as false messiahs and prophets such as Joseph Smith, Charles Taze Russell, Jim Jones, Sun Myung Moon and many others claim to speak for God, and even that they are Jesus Himself. These fakes will lead up to the greatest of all false messiahs — the Antichrist — and his False Prophet.
Other signs include:
2) Wars
“When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Luke 21:9–10).
3) Earthquakes
4) Famine
5) Plagues
6) Fearful Events
7) Signs in the Sky
“There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven” (Luke 21:11).
8) The Persecution of Christians
“But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you… All men will hate you because of me” (Luke 21:12–19).
9) Jerusalem Under Siege
“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near… Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:20–24).
10) The Return of Christ
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world…” (Luke 21:25–28).
Just before Jesus breaks from the Heavens, the sky will be alight with even more celestial signs, the nations will cringe in terror, the seas will toss violently, and all His enemies will live in terror of His return.
Now, can we know the exact day and hour of Jesus’ return? No, for Jesus stated point blank, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36). But, from these 10 signs, and many others Jesus provided throughout the Gospels, and that these signs are happening more frequently and with increasing intensity, we can know that we are now living in the season of His return.
Jesus is coming back, and we don’t have much longer to wait.
Are you ready for His return? Have you surrendered your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?