Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries. This is Lesson 4 in our series, The End Times. Today's lesson is called Signs of the Times Today.

We're so glad you're here.

In this series we've looked at the return of Christ, the tribulation, and God's plan for Israel. Today we ask a practical question. Jesus told His disciples to watch. So what should we be watching for, and how does our world today compare with what the Bible says? We're going to keep two things clearly apart in this lesson. First, what Scripture says. Second, what we can observe in the world today. The Bible is always true. Our reading of the news can be wrong. So we'll hold the first with a firm grip and the second with an open hand.

Our Key Verse

Today's key verse is Luke 21:28.

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." — Luke 21:28 (KJV)

Jesus didn't tell His people to hang their heads when they see these things. He told them to look up, because their redemption draws nigh.

First, a Warning About Dates

Before we look at any signs, we have to remember what Jesus said:

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." — Matthew 24:36 (KJV)

No one knows the day or the hour. Anyone who tells you the exact date of the Lord's return is wrong, no matter how many charts they have. The signs Jesus gave are like the leaves on a fig tree. They tell you the season is near, not the date on the calendar.

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." — Matthew 24:32-33 (KJV)

What Scripture Says: Deception

The very first thing Jesus warned about was deception:

"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." — Matthew 24:4-5 (KJV)

What we observe today: there's no shortage of false teaching. Many people claim new revelations, and the internet carries every kind of teaching to every phone in the world. Some is true and much is not. This is why we keep coming back to the Book. If something doesn't line up with the King James Bible, we don't follow it, no matter who says it.

What Scripture Says: Wars, Famines, and Earthquakes

Jesus went on:

"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." — Matthew 24:6-8 (KJV)

Notice that Jesus said these things are only the beginning of sorrows, and that the end is not yet. Wars and earthquakes by themselves don't tell us the day. They are like birth pains, coming again and again.

What we observe today: as of this month, the Council on Foreign Relations' Global Conflict Tracker follows more than two dozen conflicts around the world, including the war in Ukraine, the conflict involving Israel, and the civil war in Sudan. Wars and rumours of wars are on the news every night. We should be careful not to say there have never been this many wars before. Every century has had terrible wars. But we can say that what Jesus described fits the world we see.

What Scripture Says: The Hearts of Men

Paul told Timothy what people would be like in the last days:

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." — 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (KJV)

Read that list again slowly. Lovers of their own selves. Lovers of money. Disobedient to parents. Without natural affection. Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. And at the end, a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.

What we observe today: we don't need statistics to see much of this. Look at how our culture celebrates loving yourself above all, how much of life is built around money and pleasure, and how many homes are broken. And sadly, many churches keep a form of religion while denying the power of God's Word to change a life. Every generation has had sinners, but Paul's list reads like a description of our own day.

What Scripture Says: Fear and Distress

In Luke 21, Jesus described the world near His coming:

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." — Luke 21:25-26 (KJV)

What we observe today: many people live with deep worry about the future, about the economy, about war, about where the nation is headed. People are afraid. That's exactly why the child of God has something to offer the world. We are not afraid, because we know who holds the future.

What Scripture Says: Israel and the Gospel

In our last lesson we saw that God promised to gather Israel back into their own land. What we observe today: since May 14, 1948, there has been a nation of Israel in that land again, and in 1967 Jerusalem came under Jewish control. Jesus spoke of Jerusalem being trodden down until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. Many Bible students see Israel's return as one of the clearest signs that we are in the season Jesus talked about.

Jesus also said:

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." — Matthew 24:14 (KJV)

What we observe today: the gospel has never reached so far. According to Joshua Project's 2025 report, of about 7,400 languages in the world, roughly 2,530 have at least the New Testament, reaching over 93% of the world's people. Radio, the internet, and printed Bibles now carry the Word to places that had never heard it.

What Scripture Says: The Days of Noah

Jesus gave one more picture:

"But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." — Matthew 24:37-39 (KJV)

People in Noah's day weren't expecting judgment. They were living ordinary lives, eating, drinking, marrying, and they knew not until the flood came. What we observe today: most people go about their days as if Jesus will never come back. That's exactly what Jesus said it would be like.

How Should We Respond?

So what do we do with all this? Jesus didn't give us signs so we could argue about the news. He gave them so we would be ready. Right after the days of Noah, He said:

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." — Matthew 24:44 (KJV)

Be ready. Keep your life clean. Stay in the Word. Pray. Tell others about Jesus. And don't be afraid. Remember our key verse: look up, and lift up your heads.

If you're not ready to meet the Lord today, you can be. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus Christ, who died for you and rose again. He will save you, and you can look forward to His coming instead of fearing it.

Why This Matters

The signs of the times are not meant to make us panic or to sell books. They are God's kindness, a warning light on the dashboard that says the time is short. We don't know the day. But we know the season is getting late, and we know the One who is coming. Let's be found faithful when He does.

A Simple Step for This Week

Here's our challenge for this week. Read Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3 again. Each time you see something in the news that worries you, stop and pray, then read Luke 21:28. And this week, ask God to show you one person you can tell about Jesus before He comes.

A Prayer

Let's pray together.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You that You have told us the end from the beginning, and that nothing in this world is out of Your hands. Thank You for the signs You have given us, and for the blessed hope of Your coming.

Lord, keep us from fear, and keep us from being deceived. Help us be ready, help us be faithful, and help us reach the lost while there is still time.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Thank you for spending this time with us.

This is Authorized Sword Ministries. God bless you.

Study Questions

1. Read Luke 21:28. What does Jesus tell His people to do when these things begin to happen?
2. What does Matthew 24:36 teach about setting dates? How does the fig tree in Matthew 24:32-33 help us understand the signs?
3. What was the first sign Jesus warned about in Matthew 24:4-5? How can we guard against it?
4. In Matthew 24:6-8, what did Jesus call wars, famines, and earthquakes? Why does that matter?
5. Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Which three items on Paul's list do you see most clearly in the world today?
6. What does "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" mean?
7. According to Luke 21:25-26, how will people feel as these things come on the earth? Why don't Christians have to feel that way?
8. How do Israel's rebirth in 1948 and the spread of the gospel (Matthew 24:14) relate to the signs of the times?
9. What were people doing in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-39), and how is our world like that today?
10. Why is it important to keep what Scripture says separate from our observations about the news?

Verified Scripture References (KJV)

All quotations were checked word for word against the King James Version (bible-api.com, translation=kjv) on October 26, 2026.

1. Luke 21:28 — "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."
2. Matthew 24:36 — "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
3. Matthew 24:32-33 — "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors."
4. Matthew 24:4-5 — "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."
5. Matthew 24:6-8 — "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."
6. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 — "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
7. Luke 21:25-26 — "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken."
8. Matthew 24:14 — "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
9. Matthew 24:37-39 — "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."
10. Matthew 24:44 — "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

Sources

All sources were opened and checked on October 26, 2026.

1. More than two dozen conflicts tracked worldwide, including the War in Ukraine, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the Civil War in Sudan: Council on Foreign Relations, "Global Conflict Tracker." https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker
2. Of 7,395 languages, 2,531 have the New Testament available, covering over 93% of the world's population: Joshua Project, "Status of World Evangelization 2025." https://media.joshuaproject.net/public/assets/media/handouts/status-of-world-evangelization.pdf
3. May 14, 1948, the State of Israel proclaimed: U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian, "Creation of Israel, 1948." https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/creation-israel
4. June 1967, Israel took control of East Jerusalem: U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian, "The 1967 Arab-Israeli War." https://history.state.gov/milestones/1961-1968/arab-israeli-war-1967