Tag: End Times

Signs of the Times

In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus presents a sweeping vision of future events, but His primary focus is not the “when” of His return. Instead, He emphasizes how we should live as we wait. With each reference to “wars and rumors of wars” and natural upheavals, Jesus reminds His followers that these are “birth pains”—a hint of what’s to come, not an invitation to speculation or fear.

Jesus’ call is clear: live prepared and purposeful lives, grounded in faith and action, rather than chasing easy answers or living in anxiety. In Matthew 24:42, He warns, “Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” This watchfulness isn’t about decoding every event; rather, it’s about daily faithfulness to the work He has given us—the Great Commission.

Living with “signs of the times” in mind doesn’t mean abandoning our daily work or waiting passively. Jesus calls us to earnestness and perseverance, fully committed to the tasks at hand: sharing the gospel, serving our neighbors, and loving each other sacrificially. Each of these actions builds His Kingdom here on earth, a Kingdom that He promises will withstand any upheaval.

But faithful living also requires discernment. It’s tempting to become preoccupied with “answers” about the end times. Jesus knew this tendency, which is why He warned us against false messiahs and “false prophets” who “will deceive many” (Matthew 24:11). While we are to be wise and watchful, we shouldn’t let sensational claims distract us from Jesus’ clear command to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

If we believe Jesus will return—and He will—then our lives should reflect that hope. It’s a hope that compels us to action, to plant seeds of faith in others, and to nurture our relationship with God. We persevere not because we know the date of His return but because we trust His promise and see the urgency of the gospel.

So how do we wait well? We live ready, open to His call at any moment. We pursue His mission wholeheartedly, not distracted by every new “sign” but anchored in the lasting promise that He is coming. Each day, we choose to love, serve, and share the gospel with those around us, reflecting Jesus’ love in all we do. When we live with this kind of readiness, we not only await the return of our King, but we bring His Kingdom to life in the here and now.

Christ’s Return: The Prophetic Power of the Mount of Olives

In Zechariah 14:4, we read of an incredible moment in prophetic history: “On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.” This image captures a future event that is both awe-inspiring and deeply significant for believers. It points to the Second Coming of Christ, when He will return to earth in power and glory.

The Mount of Olives is not just a location in the biblical narrative; it’s a place of immense prophetic importance. Located east of Jerusalem, it is where Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-12) and where He will return. What’s remarkable about this prophecy is how Jesus’ arrival splits the mountain, opening up a new path for the final victory of God’s plan. This visual demonstrates Christ’s unstoppable power to overcome every obstacle and establish His reign.

Directly across from the Mount of Olives is the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem. This gate, currently sealed, is believed by many to be the very gate through which the Messiah will enter Jerusalem upon His return. For centuries, it has remained closed, and directly in front of it lies a cemetery, deliberately placed there to prevent the Messiah’s entry. According to Jewish tradition, a priest cannot walk through a graveyard, as that would render him ritually unclean. Those who placed the gravesite there did so with the intent of stopping the Messiah from passing through.

Yet the prophecy of Zechariah makes clear that no human efforts will stand in the way of God’s plan. When Christ returns, the Mount of Olives will split, creating a valley and bypassing the cemetery entirely. The sealed gate and gravesite—symbols of humanity’s attempts to hinder the Messiah—will be rendered irrelevant by the power of God. Jesus’ return will demonstrate that nothing can obstruct His will.

This prophecy also serves as a reminder that God’s plan will come to pass, no matter how impossible it may seem from our perspective. The same God who will split a mountain and walk through a sealed gate is the God who is at work in our lives right now. His purposes cannot be thwarted.

Second, it calls us to live with an eternal perspective. The future return of Christ is not a distant myth but a reality we can look forward to with hope. We live in anticipation of the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. In the meantime, we can trust that the same power that will bring Jesus back to the Mount of Olives is at work in us today.

Finally, this prophecy challenges us to examine where we place our hope. Are we looking to the world for security, or are we trusting in the One who controls the future? As believers, we know the end of the story, and that should give us confidence to face whatever challenges come our way.