In Daniel chapters 2 and 7 we see the prophecies of the arising of four world empires from Daniel’s time until the First and Second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus, in Matthew chapter 24 gives the outline and much detail of the unfolding of End Time events.  As we watch the news of today, and as we compare these and many other prophetic statements of the Scriptures, we can see that world events are literally proving Bible prophecy to be true!

Today, we are very likely living toward the close of the Church age (Revelation 3:14-22)  This age will conclude with the rapture of the Church, when all born-again believers in Jesus Christ will be suddenly caught away to heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).  Every Christian should become familiar with the Book of Daniel, especially chapters 2, 7, 9 and 12, as well as Matthew 24 and 25, for starters.  Then it will be important for each Christian, who is studying Bible prophecy while seeking to walk in obedience to God’s Word (Psalm 119:9-16), to look prayerfully and discerningly at world events and see how history is unfolding precisely as the Bible predicts.

Jesus said about the signs of the times that the disciples were to look for in Matthew 24:

³² “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. ³³ So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! ³⁴ Assuredly, I say to you, this generation (genea= “race, kind, family, stock, breed, that is: the Jewish race) will by no means pass away till all these things take place. ³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. (Keep your eyes on Israel and the affairs surrounding them)  ³⁶ “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. ³⁷ But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. ³⁸ For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, ³⁹ and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  (These are truly indications of the nearness of the hour of the return of Jesus Christ, as we see the growth of wickedness in the world today.)

Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has played the true diplomat during his visit to the U.S. when he clearly told President Obama to keep the pressure on Iran and not to be taken in by their smiles.  He called Iran’s President in his speech to the UN, “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”   Mr. Obama does not seem to have a clue as to how dangerous Iran is, but Mr. Netanyahu, as a Jewish leader, does.

Christians need to wake up to the realities of unfolding prophecy to see just how close we are to the coming of the Lord, and to the world-wide judgments that will perhaps very soon come upon the world (Revelation 6:1-17).  The wars, and rumors of wars, earthquakes, floods, pestilences,  unrest and confusion among the nations, and the break down of love and regard toward human life as well as many other indications show us that we are in the latter days of this present age.  God has an amazing and eternal future for all those who trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior!!