One topic which quickly draws a lot of interest is the End Times. When is the world going to end? How will we know when the end is approaching? Jesus had some answers to these types of questions for his disciples, as reported in Luke chapter 21. But he warned us not to listen to the many people who would come claiming that the end is at hand. He then went on to describe the troubles which would have to be endured before the end comes.
Nations will fight against each other; there will be earthquakes, famines and plagues. People will arrest and persecute followers of Jesus, and this will provide opportunities for those followers to testify with the words and wisdom which Jesus will supply. Family members and friends will betray each other, and some will be killed. Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles. There will be signs in the skies, nations will become restless, and the Son of Man will come on a cloud with power and glory.
The history of the church has seen many false alarms predicting when Jesus will come again. Some have claimed that it will occur on a specific date, only to be disappointed when the day comes and goes without event. Some seek to interpret current global events as indicating that the end is nigh. But all “end times” prophets have so far proved to be false prophets. We need to live as if the end may come soon, but we should not believe anyone who claims that the end has arrived until we see Jesus coming on the cloud.