What Are the Signs of Christ's Second Coming — Meaning Explained

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.