What signs of the end times we should be looking out for? Dr. Ron Rhodes says there are three different categories of signs worth paying attention too.
1. Moral signs of the times
“This is one most common things that the New Testament talks about. For example, if you turn over to 2 Timothy 3:1-5 we are told that in the last days there will come times of difficulty, people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, and lovers of pleasure.”
Ron says that this is a very accurate picture of the times we live in today.
“You might categorize lovers of self as humanism, lovers of money as materialism, and lovers of pleasure as hedonism. Humanism, materialism, and hedonism are three of the most prominent philosophies of our day today and it’s getting worse by the week. That’s a perfect example of the birth pangs that Scripture talks about.”
2. Religious signs of the times
“The prophecies tell us that in the last days there will be false Christs, false prophets, false teachers, false apostles, and increasing apostasy. It’s like birth pangs in the sense that the apostasy and the false teachers are becoming much more frequent and they’re becoming more intense in terms of the dangerous teachings that they set forth.”
“I don’t think that anybody could look at our day today and deny that these religious signs of the times are virtually permeating our culture today.”
3. National signs of the times
“Right now we are witnessing nations like Russia, Iran, Sudan, Turkey, Libya, and the nations around the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, all aligning against Israel. This is exactly what was prophesied to occur. Back in Ezekiel 38 and 39, we are told that these nations will align against Israel and there is an invasion that will one day take place. As I look at what’s taking place in our world today, it does seem like the stage is being set for what will take place before and during the tribulation period.”
Dr. Ron Rhodes received his Th.M. and Th.D. degrees in systematic theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, graduating with honors. He is currently the president of Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries, an apologetics organization located in Texas.
Featured Songs: Everything Comes Alive – We Are Messengers; Fierce – Jesus Culture; The Joy of the Lord – Rend Collective; The River – Jordan Feliz; Made New – Lincoln Brewster; Love Broke Through – Toby Mac
Bible Answers - Part 1
