Daily devotion – Are your involved or are you ready?
Bible Prophecy: Four Signs We Must Not Ignore
The teaching of the second coming of our Lord is dealt with some 1,845 times in the Bible, 318 of these being in the NT. The return of Jesus Christ is the dominant theme of 17 OT books and one letter in the NT. In fact, 7 out of every 10 chapters in the NT make reference to the second coming. Whole passages of the last half of the Bible are given over exclusively to the coming of the Lord.
Revelation 1:1–3
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass… Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” — Revelation 1:1, 3 (KJV)
The teaching of the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is woven throughout Scripture. Bible prophecy is not a minor subject tucked away in a few obscure passages; it is a vital part of God’s Word, reminding us that history is moving towards His appointed conclusion.
Would you agree that Bible prophecy is important for us to understand?
Bible prophecy is not given to scare us, but to prepare us!
Many of us are students of the Bible and, therefore, students of prophecy. Yet sometimes, in our pursuit of understanding eschatology—the study of last-day events—we can miss the forest for the trees. We become so occupied with interpreting individual prophetic details that we overlook the spiritual warnings God has already given us.
The book of Revelation reveals much about what is coming. We rightly watch Israel and the unfolding events surrounding the Middle East, but today I want to draw your attention to four other significant warnings that we must not overlook.
1. The decline of Bible teaching
2 Timothy 4:3–4 warns that the time will come when people will no longer endure sound doctrine but will seek teachers who tell them what they want to hear.
After more than 45 years of teaching God’s Word, I am deeply concerned by how difficult it has become for many people to find a church committed to faithfully teaching the Scriptures, book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse.
People regularly contact us looking for a Bible-teaching church in their area because they have visited numerous churches without finding the sound, systematic teaching they desire.
Sadly, some families choose a church according to their children’s preferences rather than prayerfully seeking a fellowship where the whole counsel of God is taught. Fathers and mothers have a God-given responsibility to provide spiritual leadership for their families, guiding them towards churches where God’s Word is honoured and obeyed.
Acts 20:27 reminds us of Paul’s commitment to declare “all the counsel of God.”
Church must never become merely a place of entertainment or personal preference. We gather to worship the Lord, learn His Word, grow in Christ, and prepare ourselves to serve Him faithfully.
2. The falling away from the faith
2 Thessalonians 2:3 speaks of a falling away, while 1 Timothy 4:1 warns that some will depart from the faith.
The disruption caused by COVID-19 exposed how easily church attendance and Christian fellowship could become optional in the lives of some professing believers. What began as watching church services from home during lockdowns has, for some, become a permanent withdrawal from fellowship altogether.
Of course, circumstances sometimes prevent believers from attending in person, and we must show grace to those who are genuinely unable to gather with the church. But we must also recognise the danger of allowing convenience to replace commitment.
Hebrews 10:24–25 exhorts us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, but to encourage one another, especially as we see the Day approaching.
The church is not simply a building we visit; it is the body of Christ to which believers belong. We need one another. We need the teaching of God’s Word, the fellowship of the saints, corporate prayer, and opportunities to serve.
The question is not merely whether we once professed faith in Christ, but whether we are continuing to walk with Him.
3. The rise of hatred towards the Jewish people
God’s purposes for Israel remain an important subject in biblical prophecy. Scripture warns us that Jerusalem and the Jewish people will be at the centre of significant events in the last days.
We cannot ignore the growing hostility directed towards Jewish people around the world. Whatever our views on the political complexities of the Middle East, antisemitism must never be excused, and Jewish people must never be held collectively responsible for the actions of governments or individuals.
As Christians, we must look at these matters through the lens of Scripture rather than simply accepting everything presented by the media or social media. We must seek truth, reject hatred, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Zechariah 12:3 speaks of Jerusalem becoming a burdensome stone to the surrounding peoples, while Psalm 122:6 commands us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
We must remember that the Lord Jesus was born into a Jewish family, the apostles were Jewish, and the Scriptures were entrusted to us through the Jewish people.
Romans 11:18 warns Gentile believers not to boast against the branches.
Our response to rising antisemitism must be one of prayer, truth, compassion, and faithfulness to God’s Word.
4. The growing immorality of our society
2 Timothy 3:1–5 describes the character of people in the last days, while Matthew 24:12 warns that, as lawlessness increases, the love of many will grow cold.
We are witnessing the normalisation of behaviour that Scripture clearly identifies as sinful. Adultery and fornication are commonplace in society, and sadly, these sins are also found within the professing church.
The internet, Hollywood, popular music, and the relentless availability of ungodly content have made it easier than ever to expose our minds and hearts to things that draw us away from the Lord. Even emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, can be used to spread deception and promote immorality.
Yet when we speak plainly about biblical standards, we can quickly be labelled old-fashioned, intolerant, or unloving.
But is it truly loving to remain silent while people walk towards spiritual destruction?
Biblical love does not compromise God’s truth. Jesus demonstrated both grace and truth, and we must do the same. We should never excuse sin, but neither should we treat sinners with contempt. Our calling is to speak the truth in love, pointing people towards repentance, forgiveness, and the transforming power of Jesus Christ.
Romans 12:2 commands us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
The question is whether we are allowing the world to shape our thinking or allowing God’s Word to transform our lives.
Are you watching, or are you ready?
As a pastor who has been teaching God’s Word for more than 45 years, I believe these four warnings deserve our serious attention. They challenge us to examine the spiritual condition of our churches, our families, and our own hearts.
So, where do you stand today?
Have you gradually accepted the world’s standards? Have you become comfortable with a Christianity that demands little, teaches little, and changes little? Or does your heart grieve over the deception, immorality, hatred, and rejection of God’s truth that surround us?
The signs of the times should not merely stir our interest in prophecy; they should stir our hearts towards holiness, faithfulness, prayer, and evangelism.
Titus 2:13 calls us to be “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”
We are not called to live in fear, nor are we given a date for the Lord’s return. We are called to live ready!
Today where do you sit with these prophetic events that are happening around you and affecting your everyday life? Have you surrendered to the enemy and his persuasion? Or is your heart breaking with the tsunami of evil, perversion and untruth of a world soon to face the judgment of Jesus Christ?
With each new day, these four prophetic signs telling us of the soon coming of Jesus for His Church, are paraded before us!
Are you involved or are you ready?