The Little-Known Signs of Christ’s Return

Daily Devotional – Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Having a form of godliness but denying its power.
2 Timothy 3:5 (NKJV)

Jesus is coming back soon. How do we know that? The signs of the times before He ascended to Heaven are being or have been fulfilled. As I write this, war is going on between Israel and Hamas, with massive casualties on both sides. Somalia, the DRC Congo, Yemen, Northern Nigeria, Mali, and Afghanistan are also experiencing armed conflict.
 
The Signs of the End
Moreover, barely had a deadly prolonged drought ended in some parts of the Horn of Africa than the El Nino phenomenon set in. Today, an earthquake is followed by a tsunami, while floods and drought play hide and seek. Chronic and deadly diseases continue to ravage humanity. The number and intensity of crimes are also on the increase.
 
Nevertheless, apart from signs in the natural world, there are other little-known indicators that the Lord is about to return. They have to do with a decline in spirituality, especially among professed Christians. While we are keen to identify the obvious signs, we are likely to ignore these ones because they relate to individual conduct.
 
In the Last Days, Perilous Times Will Come
Here are the not-so-obvious signs of Christ’s Second Advent:
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people, turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:1–5)
 
The Little-Known Signs of Christ’s Return
Does this sound like the world we are living in? Yes, it does. The moral fabric of society is tattered. Believers are not immune to this unfortunate trend. If you are keen, you will realize that many Christians are callous, sadistic, discourteous, unthankful, abusive, and pleasure-seekers. Even worse, there is an increasing trend of professed Christians “having a form of godliness but denying its power.”
 
These little-known signs of Christ’s return should appall you but also raise your sense of preparedness. By the grace of God, determine to develop a godly character and not compromise your faith. In the wake of general apostasy, the best way to honor God is to remain faithful and to stand out from the crowd.
 
Prayer
Lord Jesus, empower me to remain faithful to you even as I look forward to your second coming.