Introduction
In this study, we will look at the Signs of the Return of Jesus. For centuries, many have wondered about the signs that will precede Jesus’ return. The Bible provides clear guidance regarding this grand event, presenting evidence that points to its proximity. Jesus, in His prophetic sermon, warned His disciples about events that would serve as signs of His second coming, and throughout the Scriptures, prophets and apostles reinforced these messages.
In this article, we will explore the key signs described in the Word of God, analyzing their meaning and fulfillment in the present day. Wars, famines, earthquakes, moral and spiritual crises are just some of the evidences pointing to the culmination of humanity’s history. By understanding these signs, we are called not only to recognize the nearness of Christ’s return, but also to spiritually prepare for this long-awaited moment.
The Great Promise
The Bible is full of promises, but without a doubt, the most well-known and awaited by Christians around the world over the last two millennia is this one:
John 14:1-3 – “Let not your hearts be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also“
Jesus Christ, after His death and resurrection in AD 31, ascended to heaven with the promise that He would return to put an end to evil and establish His kingdom, where eternal peace and happiness would reign (Matthew 25:31-34; Revelation 21:1-7). Can we know the exact date of this event? Jesus Himself answers:
Matthew 24:36, 43, 44 – “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but my Father only. But know this: If the householder had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect“.
Therefore, we should not get caught up in speculation about dates that God has not revealed. Jesus instructed us to be alert but did not define an exact time. We cannot say that He will return in one, two, or five years, nor should we postpone His coming by suggesting that it may not happen in ten or twenty years. However, it is clear that no human being knows the precise time of Christ’s return. Only God knows that day and will ensure that this event does not occur without warning to those who are waiting for Him.
Who Will Be Prepared?
Be Attentive
1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 – “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety,’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman; they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that the day should overtake you like a thief“
Why doesn’t this group stay in the dark? What makes them know what the rest of the world doesn’t?
2 Peter 1:19 – “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, to which you do well to heed, as to a light that shines in a dark place…“
According to the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, paying attention to the words of the prophets is what will help us understand how close the day of His second coming is:
Matthew 24:32-33 – “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the doors“
An Interesting Conversation on the Mount of Olives
What things? About two thousand years ago, the disciples, concerned about this same topic, asked their Master, who revealed to them the most important points. This dialogue is recorded in the Bible for our understanding.
Matthew 24:3-8 – “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows“
Recent News
If you are the type of person who likes to keep up with the news, you will certainly find Jesus Christ’s statement to be an impressive description of what is currently happening in the world. Many signs of Jesus’ return are unfolding! If you buy today’s newspaper, you are likely to find information about ‘enlightened beings’ who claim to be the incarnation of Christ and who have come to save humanity. You will also read about the latest conflicts in the Middle East and other areas of tension. There will be news about rumors of wars, predicted by famous astrologers such as Nostradamus or other modern prophets.
You will learn about the thousands of deaths and millions of injuries caused by the latest earthquake somewhere in the world, as well as the latest epidemic. And what about the new deadly virus accidentally created in a genetic engineering laboratory? You will also learn about the dire situation in Ethiopia, where people are dying from a lack of food. You will read about the global economic crisis and the alarming unemployment rate, which is causing more and more people to go hungry, even in the most developed nations.
It’s Not the End Yet
Despite the stunning fulfillment of Christ’s words, it is important to remember that while these signs indicate that He is coming again, they are not the last or final signs. If you read this passage carefully, you will notice that Jesus Christ said, “but the end is not yet” and “all this is just the beginning of the sorrows” (Matthew 24:6, 8). Even though many of the signs of Jesus’ return are happening, it is not yet the end. This shows that there are still events to come. What are they? Read carefully the continuation of the sermon that the Lord Jesus gave to the disciples:
Matthew 24:9-14 – “Then they will deliver you up to be afflicted and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. At that time many will be offended and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come“
Then the End Will Come
Notice the difference in relation to the first part of the sermon. In this passage, Jesus refers directly to the events that will occur shortly before the end of time, since He ends with the words, “and then the end will come“. Let’s summarize these events:
- God’s people will experience great suffering. Widespread hatred will arise against them, and they will be persecuted to the point of death.
- People will hate one another, wickedness will increase, and the love of many will grow cold.
- False prophets will appear and deceive many.
- The gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a testimony to all nations.
Although many interpreters present these four points as separate events, the context reveals that they are actually part of the same prophecy. Hatred and lack of love among people, combined with the actions of false prophets, will result in the persecution and death of those who stand up to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God. This conclusion is fully confirmed by Jesus in the book of Revelation, which reveals signs of Jesus’ return in this wonderful book!
The 3 Angels Flying in the Sky
Warning: What is described in the following passage should not be taken literally in all its details. It uses symbols to represent the characters and events involved in the great controversy that will take place before the coming of Christ.
Revelation 14:6-16 – “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him: for the hour of his judgment is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And another angel followed, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, which made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of his indignation: and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of her torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day or night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on’. Yes, says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them’. Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like the Son of Man, with a golden crown on his head, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, ‘Thrust in your sickle and reap! The hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe’. And he who sat on the cloud thrust his sickle into the earth, and the earth was reaped“
Similarities Between Revelation 14 and Matthew 24
Notice that this passage from Revelation mentions the same elements as Matthew 24 with striking similarity. Let us compare the two passages in detail:
- Matthew 24:9 says, “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all because of my name“. Now Revelation 14:12-13 refers to those who have the faith of Jesus: “Here is the perseverance of the saints… Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on“. The cause of their death is directly linked to the worship of the “image” mentioned in verse 9 because, according to Revelation 13:15, this image would have the power to speak and order the killing of all who refused to worship it.
- Matthew 24:9,12 states that at this time, “iniquity will multiply“, and that God’s people will be hated by “all“. Revelation 14:9 speaks of an entity called “the beast“, which appears in Revelation 13:6-8 “blaspheming against God” and “making war against the saints“. As incredible as it may seem, “all the inhabitants of the earth” will end up supporting that entity (v. 8).
- Matthew 24:11 says that “many false prophets will arise and deceive many“. Revelation 14:9 mentions the imposition of the “mark of the beast” and the worship of this entity “and its image“. These facts will have their origin precisely in the actions of a false prophet: “…the false prophet who performed signs before it, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image” (Revelation 19:20).
- Matthew 24:13 states that “he who perseveres to the end will be saved“. Revelation 14:12, referring to God’s people, says: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and hold the faith of Jesus“
- Matthew 24:14, when speaking of the preaching of the last message of mercy, states: “And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the world“. Revelation 14:6 adds: “…the everlasting gospel, to preach to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people“
- Matthew 24:14 says that soon after the gospel is preached to all nations, “the end will come“. Revelation 14:16 presents the same truth when it states: “…and the earth was reaped“; for the Lord Jesus taught in Matthew 13:39 that “the harvest is the end of the world“
An Expansion
All this confirms that Revelation is, in itself, an extraordinary amplification of the events presented by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 24:9-14. In fact, both passages deal with the same prophecy, through which we can understand precisely how near or far away the “end of the world” is. These are great signs of Jesus’ return!
It’s Close, But It’s Still Away…
It is important to note that although the coming of Jesus is near and the signs of His coming are happening, it is not yet “at the doors“. Only when the whole world unites against God’s people, and when they decree death upon those who refuse to worship the beast and his image (remember, these are symbols), will we be certain that the coming of Christ is imminent.
Dear reader, do not let your heart be troubled or lose hope because of this prophecy. It is true that those who refuse to worship the beast and his image will face severe persecution, but it is also true that God, our Father, loves us and will never abandon us in times of trial.
Isaiah 35:4 – “Say to those who are of a fearful heart, Be strong and do not fear; behold, your God will come with vengeance, with a recompense from God; He will come and save you“
Be in Jesus
Even if we have to give our lives to preach the gospel, or if our bodies suffer pain and our hearts are troubled, we should not be afraid. If we maintain our friendship with Jesus and put Him at the center of our lives, we will ultimately be victorious. The signs of Jesus’ return show us that He will return soon!
Mark 8:35 – “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it“
John 11:25-26 – “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this’“
Some Will Not Die
The Bible also teaches us that not all of God’s children will have to give up their lives, for many will be protected during this time and will enjoy the privilege of seeing Christ return without experiencing death. The apostle Paul expresses this truth in an encouraging way, motivating us to maintain our hope in the glorious destiny reserved for those who remain steadfast and faithful.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 – “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words“
The protagonists of the final conflict are already on the scene, just waiting for the right moment to play their part in the last great act of this world’s history. Therefore, it is essential that all who believe in the Bible as the only rule of faith study carefully who or what Jesus Christ referred to in the prophecies of Matthew 24 and Revelation, because the Signs of Jesus’ Coming would be obvious to those who were paying attention!
Final Considerations: Signs of Jesus’ Return
Given all that we have presented, it is clear that the Signs of Jesus’ Coming are being fulfilled before our eyes. Biblical prophecies are not meant to cause us fear, but to prepare us and strengthen our faith. Christ warned us about difficult times, persecution, and deception, but He also assured us that those who remain firm in their faith will be saved. The world is moving toward the final outcome of history, and each of us must decide which side we will be on when that moment arrives.
Therefore, more than just recognizing the signs, we must seek a deep relationship with God, studying His Word and living according to His teachings. The return of Jesus is not just a distant prophetic event, but an imminent reality that invites us to spiritual preparation. May we live with hope and vigilance, certain that we will soon see our Savior return in glory to seek those who are faithful to Him. May this promise motivate us to persevere until the end!
