Introduction – Bad News and Good News
This morning I have bad news and I have good news.
We’ll spend a little time with the bad news, but most of our time with the good news. Is that all right?
The quality of life for the future is a cause for concern.
With the multiplied problems facing our planet, many are asking:
“Is the future worth living?”
“Is there hope to face the crisis ahead?”
Does Planet Earth have a terminal illness?
Is doomsday inevitable—or reversible?
The future feels fragile.
Politicians attempt to patch our ailing planet with band-aids.
Military leaders prepare for conflict.
Environmentalists warn of tipping points with only slim hope of reversal.
A spirit of pessimism and cynicism sweeps the world.
Do we just sit back and wait for the inevitable?
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Questions Across the Globe
From Europe to China, from South America to Iceland, hearts everywhere ask:
“How will it all end? Is there a sure word about the future? Do we have any guarantee of a secure tomorrow?”
Public voices have grown urgent.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg warned that “people are suffering, people are dying, entire ecosystems are collapsing.”
More recently, U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has declared that “climate change is the existential crisis of our time” and urged “bold, comprehensive action to save our planet for future generations.”
These impassioned appeals highlight the deep anxiety many feel about Earth’s future—but they also remind us that human effort alone cannot secure the world’s ultimate destiny.
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The Bible’s Certain Word
Into this atmosphere of anxiety, the clear, optimistic voice of Jesus speaks:
> “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.” —Luke 21:28 KJV
The Bible is a book of hope, meaning, and purpose.
Revelation 1:1 tells us it is “the revelation of Jesus Christ,” given to show “things which must shortly take place.”
It is not merely prediction; it is Jesus revealing His love, His purposes, His end-time plan.
Revelation unmasks Satan’s schemes and reveals God’s ultimate victory.
From Genesis—the story of creation and the beginning of human rebellion—to Revelation—the story of new creation and the end of sin—the Bible proclaims one theme:
> The theme of the Bible is Jesus,
and how He died to save men.
The plan of salvation assures us,
He’s coming back again.
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Jesus Is Coming Quickly
The great refrain of Revelation is clear:
“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him.” —Revelation 1:7
“Behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” —Revelation 22:7
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me.” —Revelation 22:12
“Surely I am coming quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” —Revelation 22:20
Three times in one chapter Jesus says, “I am coming quickly.”
We naturally ask: How quick is quickly? How near is near?
Although no one knows the exact day or hour, Jesus promised we can recognize the season.
God has placed signposts along the highway of time—mile-markers pointing toward the New Jerusalem.
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The Disciples’ Question
This isn’t a new concern.
Two thousand years ago on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked,
“What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” —Matthew 24:3.
Jesus answered by describing specific signs in four spheres: religion, politics, nature, and society.
The prophecies of Matthew 24 harmonize with those of Revelation, both pointing to the same climax—the return of Christ.
He first warned of Jerusalem’s destruction, fulfilled in A.D. 70 when Roman armies burned the temple.
That local catastrophe foreshadowed global end-time events.
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1. Religious Deception
> “For false christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” —Matthew 24:24
Satan’s most subtle weapon is religious deception.
Revelation 13:13–14 pictures a power that “performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven,” deceiving earth’s inhabitants.
Revelation 16:14 calls them “spirits of demons, performing signs.”
No false prophet wears a signboard reading Counterfeit.
As with currency, only what is valuable is counterfeited.
No one fakes a $7 or $13 bill; counterfeiters target twenties and hundreds.
So too with faith—Satan produces convincing imitations of true Christianity.
This is why knowing Scripture for ourselves is vital.
A miracle is not proof of divine origin.
The safeguard is “Thus saith the Lord.”
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2. Political Upheaval
> “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars… Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” —Matthew 24:6–7
Behind human conflict lies the cosmic controversy between good and evil.
Luke 21:26 foresees men’s hearts “failing them for fear” as powers of heaven are shaken.
Today’s headlines—global instability, terrorism, nuclear tension—are no surprise to the Bible student.
History is moving toward one grand climax: the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
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3. Natural Disasters and Pestilence
Jesus continued:
> “There will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.” —Matthew 24:7
Despite record food production, nearly 9 million people die of hunger each year, and over 100 million face chronic starvation.
Meanwhile, a third of global food is wasted.
Every hungry child cries out, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
Pestilence includes new or resistant diseases and ecological crises.
Air and water pollution, superbugs that defy antibiotics, and environmental toxins claiming thousands of lives each year all echo Jesus’ warning.
Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires grow in frequency and intensity.
Recent decades show a marked increase—over 250 percent compared with the previous century.
Creation groans for redemption (Romans 8:22).
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4. Moral Decay and Violence
Jesus said:
> “As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” —Matthew 24:37
Genesis 6:5 records those days: “Every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
Before the flood, people were “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” (Matthew 24:38)—not sinful in themselves, but absorbed in pleasure and oblivious to God.
Today, sexual immorality, crime, and violence echo that ancient world.
We grieve as violence fills our streets and screens.
Again we pray, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
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5. Worldwide Gospel Proclamation
Jesus also gave a positive sign:
> “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come.” —Matthew 24:14
Revelation 14:6 pictures an angel carrying the “everlasting gospel” to every nation, tribe, language, and people.
Through missionaries, digital media, and personal witness, the gospel is reaching corners of the earth once thought inaccessible.
This is good news amid the bad: the same global connectivity that spreads trouble is carrying salvation’s message.
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Living in the Light of His Coming
What do these signs mean for us?
Confidence: Christ is in control of history.
Hope: He will deliver a planet in trouble.
Urgency: Now is the time to know Him personally.
> “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” —Revelation 22:20
Without the Second Coming there would be no final justice or lasting peace.
But because of it, death and sorrow will end and a new creation will begin.
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Invitation and Appeal
Friend, when Jesus returns there will be only two groups—the saved and the lost.
Which will you choose?
> Don’t cling to the world and its treasure;
this earth will soon pass away.
O give Him your love without measure;
He’s calling you today
Chorus
Are you ready for Jesus to come?
Are you faithful in all that you do?
Have you fought a good fight, have you stood for the right,
have others seen Jesus in you?
Are you ready to stand in your place?
Are you ready to look on His face?
Can you look up and say, “This is my God!”
Are you ready for Jesus to come?
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Closing Prayer
Father in heaven, our hearts know this world is not our home.
Every funeral reminds us.
Every violent headline confirms it.
Every hurricane, earthquake, and fire declares it.
But You have prepared a better place.
We sense the signs are fulfilling and that Jesus is soon to come.
Keep us faithful and joyful until that day when we hear You whisper,
“My child, you are home for all eternity.”
In Jesus’ name, amen.
