Nearly 2,000 years ago, Peter prophesied that in the last days, people would mock the idea of Christ’s return, saying, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created” (2 Peter 3:3-4).
But is that true? Not at all. The world today is far from ordinary. Our generation is witnessing the convergence of nearly every biblical end-times sign. Some are fully fulfilled—like the re-establishment of Israel as a nation—while others, such as the formation of a revived Roman Empire, are unfolding. Despite these clear signs, many remain unaware.
Jesus Himself rebuked religious leaders for failing to recognize the signs of His first coming:
“You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times!” (Matthew 16:2-3).
Let’s examine these signs and understand why they point to His imminent return:
Israel Back in the Land
After the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, the Jewish people were scattered worldwide. Yet God promised their return:
“I will gather them from the farthest corners of the earth and bring them back to their own land” (Isaiah 11:12, Ezekiel 39:28).
In 1948, Israel became a nation again—a miracle fulfilling prophecy. This restoration signals the coming of the Messiah to establish His kingdom (Isaiah 35, Joel 3). For nearly 1,900 years, Christians couldn’t point to this sign. Today, Jewish people from around the globe are returning to their homeland daily.
Hostility from Israel’s Neighbours
Psalm 83 foretold a time when Israel’s neighbours would unite in their hatred, declaring, “Come, let us wipe out Israel as a nation” (Psalm 83:4).
This sentiment echoes throughout the Middle East today. Ezekiel predicted these nations would claim the land as their own, saying, “The land of Israel has been given to us” (Ezekiel 35:12-13).
For centuries, this prophecy wasn’t relevant because Israel didn’t exist as a nation. But since 1948, these threats have become a constant reality, fulfilling what the Bible said would happen in the last days.
Israel’s Powerful Army
Ezekiel’s vision of the Valley of Dry Bones foretold a restored Israel with “an exceedingly great army” (Ezekiel 37:10). Zechariah added that even the weakest in Israel would be like David (Zechariah 12:8).
Modern Israel’s military victories defy the odds. Despite being a small nation surrounded by hostile neighbours, Israel has repeatedly emerged victorious, demonstrating unmatched strength and strategy. This aligns with biblical prophecy, which places Israel’s rise as a military power shortly before the Messiah’s return (Ezekiel 12, 36, 37).
Explosion of Travel and Knowledge
The angel told Daniel to seal his visions until “the end times, when travel and knowledge will increase” (Daniel 12:4).
For most of history, travel was limited to horseback. Now, we can reach the other side of the globe in hours. Knowledge, too, has exploded. The internet, with billions of websites, makes information accessible worldwide fulfilling this prophecy in unprecedented ways.
Revival of the Roman Empire
The Bible predicts a revived Roman Empire in the end times—a ten-nation alliance combining strong and weak nations (Daniel 2, 7; Revelation 17).
The European Union closely mirrors this prophecy, uniting strong economies like Germany and France with weaker ones like Malta and Estonia. Together, they form an alliance resembling the iron and clay mixture described in Daniel’s vision.
The Gospel Preached Worldwide
Jesus said, “The Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).
This prophecy is nearing fulfilment. The Bible is available in hundreds of languages, Christian programming is broadcast globally, and missionaries are spreading the Gospel to remote corners of the earth. While not yet complete, this global reach of Christianity was unimaginable just a century ago.
Conclusion
The signs of Jesus’s return are all around us, from Israel’s restoration to global evangelism. As these prophecies converge, it’s clear we are living in extraordinary times. Just as dark clouds signal an approaching storm, these signs point to the nearness of Christ’s return.
Are you paying attention?
