As of the writing of this post (June 2020), we have been experiencing worldwide plagues, riots in the streets, earthquakes, tornadoes… and so much more. You may be wondering, “Is it all over? Are we at the end of history as we know it? Is this the “End Times” prophesied about in the Bible?

Personally, I don’t think so. Not yet.

Time moves forward, one day at a time. So logically, if we believe there is a Biblical End Time coming, we are definitely headed toward it.

As I understand the Bible, we’re in the time of Early Birth Pains, which is spoken of in Matthew 24:

For you will hear about battles and news about battles. See that you do not become disturbed by what you hear. These things must happen, but it does not mean that the end has arrived. Folk will rise together against other folk, and realms will rise against other realms. Different places will experience epidemics, famines, and earthquakes. All these troubles are like early birth pains. (Matthew 24:6-8, MWNT)

Early Birth Pains

A woman who is expecting a child to come into her life can feel contractions as early as her second trimester. If she does, it is not necessary for her to rush to get ready for the delivery as if the baby were coming next week. But, yes, the warning of the early birth pains encourages her and her husband to start buying a crib and some baby clothes.

And that is what we should do. Let’s be prepared for the end times, by sheltering our lives in the arms of our Heavenly Father. He loves us like a loving Dad cares for his children. He doesn’t want to see us suffering and fretting about what is going on around us. Even if we have lived so far away from Him, He would joyfully welcome us. All it takes is one step toward Him.

In Him, there is safety, no matter what craziness we go through in this world. As it says in the Psalms,

In the day of evil, He shall hide me in His shelter. In the secrecy of His tabernacle He shall hide me. He shall set me up on a rock. (Psalm 27:5)

So, if we are in the time of Early Birth Pains, what will be the signs of His return?

Here are 3 things you can expect when the End Times have come:

1. The revealing of the one who withholds

Since Jesus ascended into Heaven from the Mount of Olives beside Jerusalem, we have been expecting the antichrist. Some thought it was the King of England. Others thought it was Hitler. Still others were convinced that it was a President of the United States, or a secret society or a dictator or ruler in the world who was trying to destroy the church.

But before any of these could accomplish what they set out to do, something happened each time.

In 2 Thessalonians, Paul speaks of the one who prevents the Antichrist from revealing himself:

Let no one deceive you in any way, for rebellion must come first. Then the son of man will be revealed, the son of ruin. This is the adversary. He is exalted above all things, that is to say, above God or all that is worshipped. And so he will sit in God’s temple, and present himself as if he were God.

And now, you know the one who withholds, that he may be revealed in his time. For the secret of wickedness is now at work; it is only the one who now holds him back who holds him back, until he is taken away. (2 Thessalonians 2:7, MWNT)

God sets boundaries on all humanity that no one can cross. (Acts 17:26) That is why great men and dictators are unable to accomplish their destructive goals for the earth. But one day, with God’s permission, an Antichrist will raise himself above the place where no one has been allowed to go. When he finally arrives on the scene, there will be a showdown between him and the Messiah, the true Christ Jesus.

2. Worldwide Gospel Proclamation

The disciples of Jesus asked what the sign of His coming and the end of the world would be. And the only definite answer He gave, was this:

This Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all communities of people, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14, MWNT)

Believers have different ways to measure how the Gospel is preached to all nations. Some are waiting for the Message of Messiah Jesus to reach all nations. Others work for the day when there will be a church among every people group. Some look forward to the day when the Bible has been translated into every language.

Look for a day when all who watch these things can say, “Everyone has heard”… by any measure or standard.

3. When times are good, beware

According to the Bible, the Antichrist is more likely to come in a time of peace than in a time of craziness:

You yourselves know that, to be precise, the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. For when they say that there is peace and safety, then death will suddenly come upon them, as sorrow comes to a woman who is with child. (1 Thessalonians 5:2, MWNT)

So, don’t be terrified with all the troubles going on around us. This is a time to turn our hearts toward God, through Christ. When we start on that journey, we can be ready for that moment. Evil will rebel against God, and Jesus will completely defeat it.

When things return to what we are used to, or become prosperous than we ever imagined, it’s time to worry, unless we are safely in the arms of our loving Heavenly Father. Be sure to make peace with Him today.