Signs of Christ's Coming

Know your Signs

After Jesus’ blunt comments on the coming destruction of the Temple (24:2), Jesus’ disciples asked him when it would happen (24:3). They linked the destruction of the Temple with the return of Jesus and the end of the age, so they wanted to know about the sign that would indicate that these things were about to happen.

Signs to look for...

Sign #1 - First Seal

Revelation 6:1–2 NKJV

1 Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

Deceivers Among You - Anti Christs

Matthew 24:4 NKJV

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.

Ephesians 5:6 NKJV

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Colossians 2:8 NKJV

8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV

3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

We are to practice discernment

1 John 4:1–3 NKJV

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

Text Continues by saying...

Matthew 24:5 NKJV

5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.

1 John 2:18 NKJV

18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.

1 John 4:3 NKJV

3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

Sign #2 - 2 Seal

Revelation 6:3 NKJV

3 When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.”

Revelation 6:4 NKJV

4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

Wars and Rumors of Wars

Matthew 24:6 NKJV

6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Matthew 24:7 NKJV

7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 24

The Jewish War of AD 66–73 partially fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy

The we come to the 3rd Sign

Revelation 6:5–6 NKJV

5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”

Famine, Pestilence and Earth Quakes - 3rd Seal

Matthew 24:7 NKJV

7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.

Acts 11:28 NKJV

28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.

Then there is the fourth Sign

Revelation 6:7–8 NKJV

7 When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

Christian Persecution

Matthew 24:9 NKJV

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.

Matthew 10:17 NKJV

17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.

Luke 21:12 NKJV

12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.

Matthew 24:10 NKJV

10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.

Matthew 24:11 NKJV

11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

Acts 20:29 NKJV

29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

2 Peter 2:1 NKJV

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

Matt. 24:11 goes on and says that many will be deceived...

1 Timothy 4:1 NKJV

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

Matthew 24:12 NKJV

12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

There will be a great falling away...

2 Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV

3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

2 Timothy 3:1–3 NKJV

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,

But then Jesus tells us in v. 13

Matthew 24:13 NKJV

13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Revelation 2:10 NKJV

10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Matthew 10:22 NKJV

22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

Mark 13:13 says the same thing...

Mark 13:13 NKJV

13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

The Fifth Sign and the final one we will look at for today is found

Matthew 24:14 NKJV

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Gospel Preached to All the Nations

Matthew 28:19–20 NKJV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.