Are we living in the end times? How close are we to the end of the world?
Wars, disasters, pandemics, chaos in the news: a lot of people are asking whether the end is near. Here is what the Bible says, without fear-mongering and without brushing it off.
Yes. The Bible says the “last days” began when Jesus came (Hebrews 1:2; Acts 2:17), so we have been in the last days for two thousand years, and we are closer to Jesus’ return now than ever before. Jesus gave signs: wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, false messiahs, lawlessness, love growing cold, and the gospel reaching every nation. He called them “the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:8): like labor, they grow more frequent and more intense. We are seeing them. But “no one knows about that day or hour” (Matthew 24:36). The point isn’t to set a date; it’s to be ready.
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The disciples asked for the signs
On the Mount of Olives, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus gave them signs, and then a warning: “See to it that no one deceives you” (Matthew 24:3–4). He followed it with stories about servants and bridesmaids who were or weren’t ready when their master came (Matthew 24:45–25:13). Watching is about readiness, not prediction.
The signs Jesus and the apostles gave
Wars, famines and earthquakes in various places (Matthew 24:6–7). Many false prophets and messiahs (Matthew 24:11, 24). Lawlessness increasing and love growing cold (Matthew 24:12). People who are lovers of themselves, lovers of money, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:1–5). The gospel preached to all nations (Matthew 24:14).
What’s different about today
The gospel is reaching more nations and languages than at any time in history, and the Bible is being translated faster than ever. Knowledge and travel have exploded (Daniel 12:4). The world is more connected, which makes a single global system, like the one Revelation describes, possible for the first time.
How close are we?
Closer than ever, and possibly very close. But anyone who names a date is wrong. The question that matters is not when, but whether you’re ready.
What the Bible says
- 01
The signs.
“While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another, and many false prophets will arise and deceive many. Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Matthew 24:3–14 - 02
Be ready.
“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. And they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.”
Matthew 24:36–44 - 03
Terrible times.
“But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!”
2 Timothy 3:1–5 - 04
In these last days.
“On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.”
Hebrews 1:1–2 - 05
Like a thief in the night.
“Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you. For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.”
1 Thessalonians 5:1–6 - 06
Why He waits.
“Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:8–9
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.
Ask yourself: if Jesus came back tonight, is there anything I would wish I had made right? Make it right this week.
Common questions
Can anyone predict the date?
No. Jesus said no one knows the day or hour (Matthew 24:36). Every date-setter in history has been wrong.
Why hasn’t Jesus come back yet?
Because God is patient, “not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
What should I do if the end is near?
Make sure you belong to Jesus, live faithfully, and tell others while there’s time.
Take your first step with us.
If you prayed today, or you’re close, Become will walk with you: your first days with Jesus, step by step, with people praying for you.