What Are the Signs of Christ's Second Coming — In Biblical Context
Jesus described specific signs: wars, famines, earthquakes, false prophets, gospel preached worldwide, and Israel's restoration — all pointing to His imminent return.
Jesus described specific signs: wars, famines, earthquakes, false prophets, gospel preached worldwide, and Israel's restoration — all pointing to His imminent return.
"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." — Matthew 24:7-8 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
In the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21), Jesus outlined signs preceding His return. These include wars and rumors of wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes — which He called 'the beginning of sorrows' (Matthew 24:7-8). False christs and false prophets will arise, deceiving many (Matthew 24:11,24). The gospel will be preached 'in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come' (Matthew 24:14). There will be 'great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world' (Matthew 24:21). Paul adds apostasy and the revealing of the 'man of sin' (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Jesus also warned that His coming would be sudden and unexpected: 'as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be' (Matthew 24:27). The exhortation is to watch and be ready.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Matthew 24:7-8, sits inside Matthew 24. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."
Supporting Passages
"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."
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