Signs of the Times

We are living at a time when Bible prophecy is being fulfilled before our very eyes. We watched the dramatic changes that have taken place in Eastern Europe with the collapse of communism. We have seen the emergence of the European Community as a major economic power, while the United States has faded in its prominence. We see the increasing isolation of the nation of Israel and the rising hostility of the nations around her. There have been wars in the Middle East and popular uprisings in many countries. All of these are signs that Jesus said would tell us that His coming is near:

“When you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors!” (Mark 13:29).

The Bible also predicts the behavior and mood of the people just prior to His return. Jesus told us that the days preceding His return would be like the days of Noah and Lot (Luke 17:26–29). What are some of those signs?

Sexual promiscuity and perversion

Nowhere is this better seen than in the two angelic visitors to Lot in the city of Sodom (see Genesis 19:1–17). There the visitors found all manner of sexual perversion, with the homosexual activists of the day coming to Lot’s door. Likewise, today’s popular culture celebrates promiscuity and perversion while it mocks the God-given principles of purity and marriage.

Increased violence and crime

Noah’s time was characterized by exceedingly wicked violence and crime:

“Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. . .So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth” (Genesis 6:5–6, 12).

Does this not sound like a description of our very time?