Daily devotion – Are we living in the Last Days?
The Birth Pains of His Return
More and more people today are looking for guidance about the future. In a world that feels increasingly uncertain, many long for something solid—some assurance about what’s ahead. There is only one book that dares to predict the future not just once or twice, but hundreds of times—the Bible. In fact, more than two-thirds of Scripture is prophecy. And astonishingly, half of those prophecies have already been fulfilled—exactly as God said they would be.
With that record, we have every reason to believe the remaining prophecies will come to pass just as precisely.
Late one afternoon, I was called to visit a man who was not expected to live through the night. The medical signs were clear—he was in his final hours. That moment gave me a picture: just as a dying man shows visible signs of his condition, the world today is showing signs of being in its final hours.
Jesus’ Analogy: The Beginning of Sorrows
In Mark 13:8, Jesus tells us:
“These are the beginnings of sorrows.”
The word sorrows in Greek can be translated as birth pains. The Apostle Paul used the same imagery when describing the lead-up to Christ’s return.
Birth pains begin subtly but become more frequent and intense, leading to the birth of a child. Likewise, the events we see around us are increasing in frequency and intensity—each one a signal that the return of Jesus Christ is drawing near.
Jesus said,
“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” – Luke 21:28
The Disciples’ Question
Jesus’ disciples also wanted to know about the future. In Matthew 24:3 they asked:
“Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”
Before answering them, Jesus had left them stunned with a declaration:
“Do you see all these buildings? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another; every one will be thrown down.” – Matthew 24:2
That prophecy was fulfilled in A.D. 70, when Roman General Titus destroyed the temple. The fire was so intense that the stones crumbled and the gold melted between the cracks. Soldiers dismantled it stone by stone to retrieve the gold—exactly as Jesus foretold.
If His prophecy was so precisely fulfilled then, we can trust His words about what is still to come.
The Signs of the Times
So what are these birth pains Jesus spoke of? What signs should we be watching for?
1. False Christs and False Religions – Matthew 24:4–5
Jesus warned of an explosion of false messiahs and religions. Today, the world is flooded with cults and spiritual movements: Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Scientology, New Age movements, and many others. They reject biblical truth and pave the way for the final great deceiver—the Antichrist, the ultimate imposter.
He will not be Christ riding in glory (as in Revelation 19), but a deceiver riding a white horse—appearing peaceful and persuasive. He will succeed where others have failed—bringing temporary peace to the Middle East and gaining worldwide worship.
2. Wars and Rumors of War – Matthew 24:6
The 20th century alone saw two world wars—with over 60 million killed. The wars of the Tribulation will dwarf these. Nuclear weapon stockpiles and international tensions make global war an ever-present possibility.
3. Famines and Pestilences – Matthew 24:7
Today, 800 million people go to bed hungry. 24,000 die every day from hunger or related causes. Meanwhile, diseases and new viruses, and drug-resistant bacteria plague our world.
4. Religious Persecution – Matthew 24:9–10
According to Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher, 55,000 Christians are killed each year for their faith. Persecution is intensifying—especially in places like India, Indonesia, and Pakistan.
5. Jerusalem: A Global Flashpoint – Matthew 24:32–33
The rebirth of Israel in 1948 is a super-sign of the last days. No other nation has disappeared and returned to existence like Israel. The capture of Jerusalem in 1967 during the Six-Day War fulfilled yet another prophecy. Today, the eyes of the world remain fixed on that tiny city—just as the Bible foretold.
“I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about…” – Zechariah 12:2
The Bible says all nations will one day gather against Jerusalem. The only real peace will come when Jesus, the Prince of Peace, returns to reign.
What’s Next?
So are we in the last days?
Absolutely. The birth pains are intensifying and coming closer together. These signs are not random—they are divine signals.
The next event on the prophetic calendar is the Rapture—when Christ calls His Church to meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). There is nothing left that needs to happen before this glorious moment.
Now is not the time for fear, but for faith. As the signs increase, Jesus calls His people to look up, to live ready, and to share the hope we have in Him.
“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” – Matthew 24:42
Let us be awake, alert, and active in our faith. The labour pains are here. The return of our King is near.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.