Spotting signs early and acting on them can save the day. It’s a huge deal. This applies to more than just your health. Take the tragic tsunami in December 2004 around the Indian Ocean, for instance. Agencies in places like Australia and Hawaii spotted the massive earthquake in northern Sumatra and saw the danger coming. Still, there wasn’t any system set up to warn the people in those vulnerable areas so they could get to safety. Because of that, more than 220,000 lives were lost.

Signs of Much Greater Importance

When Jesus Christ walked the earth, He taught His listeners how to spot signs and act on them. He was talking about something that matters way more. The Bible reports:

“Here the Pharisees and Sadducees approached him, and to test him, they asked him to display to them a sign from heaven. 2 In reply he said to them, ‘When evening falls, you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is fire-red,” 3 and in the morning, “It will be wintry, rainy weather today, for the sky is fire-red but gloomy.” ‘You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but the signs of the times you cannot interpret.”

– Matthew 16:1-3

By mentioning ‘the signs of the times’, Jesus pointed out that His first-century Jewish listeners should’ve noticed how urgent their era was. Their whole way of life was about to face a massive disaster that would touch everyone. A few days before His death,

Jesus talked to His followers about another sign—the sign of His presence. What He shared then still matters deeply for people everywhere today.

Do You Recognise the Sign of Jesus’ Presence?

Nobody wants to face illness or disaster… wise people act when warnings appear. Jesus described a global sign that affects you and your family.

His disciples asked, “What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” (Matthew 24… 3). Because His heavenly enthronement would be invisible, Jesus gave a multi-faceted signal to mark His presence and the last days. Gospel writers recorded His words and other scriptures added detail. Here are five key elements of that sign.

An Epoch-Making Breach

Jesus foretold, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.” (Matthew 24…7). World War I broke a period of peace, bringing unprecedented destruction that killed thousands daily. It marked a historic shift, launching humanity into the last days—a period continuous with conflict, warfare, and modern violence.

Famine, Disease, and Earthquakes

Scripture speaks of conditions, events, and mindsets that signal what’s often called “the conclusion of the system of things” or “the end of the world” (Matthew 24:3). The Scriptures refer to this era as “the last days” and the “time of the end” (2 Timothy 3:1; Daniel 8:19).

What signs mark these final days?

The Bible outlines several overlapping markers that together form a clear indicator (Luke 21:7). Here are key examples:

• Global Warfare – Jesus predicted that “nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:7). Revelation 6:4 similarly describes a symbolic rider taking peace from the world.
• Widespread Food Shortages – Jesus warned that “there will be food shortages” (Matthew 24:7). Revelation 6:5, 6 reinforces this with a rider symbolising massive food scarcity.
• Severe Earthquakes – Jesus noted there’d be “earthquakes in one place after another” (Matthew 24:7; Luke 21:11), causing immense suffering across the world.
• Disease and Pandemics—According to Jesus, humanity would face pestilences, described as epidemics of “terrible diseases” (Luke 21:11).
• Rising Crime – While wrongdoing isn’t new, Jesus foretold an “increasing of lawlessness” during this era (Matthew 24:12).
• Environmental and Moral Ruin – Revelation 11:18 warns of people “ruining the earth” through violence, corruption, and harm to the planet’s environment.
• Shift in Mindsets and Morals – At 2 Timothy 3:1-4, the Bible notes that folks would become “unthankful, disloyal, . . . not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride.” These behaviours make it a period of “critical times hard to deal with”.
• Breakdown of Family Units—Scripture foretells that many wouldn’t show “natural affection” toward family, and children would be “disobedient to parents” (2 Timothy 3:2, 3).
• Fading Devotion to God – Jesus warned that “the love of the greater number will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12), meaning devotion to Him would fade. 2 Timothy 3:4 adds that people would be “lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God.”
• Pretence of Faith – According to 2 Timothy 3:5, many would claim to follow Him while refusing to live by His standards.
• Clearer Understanding of Prophecy – The book of Daniel highlights that during “the time of the end”, people would gain deeper insights into Biblical truth and prophetic meaning (Daniel 12:4).
• Worldwide Preaching Effort – Jesus stated that “this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth” (Matthew 24:14).
• Indifference and Mockery – Jesus warned that most people would ignore the clear indicators (Matthew 24:37-39). Additionally, 2 Peter 3:3, 4 notes that some would openly scoff at the proof.
• Concurrent Fulfilment – Jesus explained that this period is marked by all these events happening at once, rather than just a few isolated occurrences (Matthew 24:33).

Welcome News!

Jesus also gave positive news… “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth as a witness to all the nations.” (Matthew 24…14). Today, millions of Witnesses share this Bible message globally across hundreds of languages. Jesus didn’t say life would stop completely, but that these combined conditions would form a clear global pattern.

Own Interests Come First

People frequently ignore everyday warning signs because of personal desires or distractions. Similarly, many disregard Jesus’ warning due to apathy, routine, greed, or fear of losing status. Ignoring these signs isn’t wise when your future is on the line.

Life on a Paradise Earth

Many people heed this warning. For instance, Chris and his wife in Germany spend time sharing the Bible’s message. Another couple, Mark and his wife, encourage others about a future paradise. They help fulfil the global preaching work Jesus foretold.

When these final days end, Jesus will remove the current system. His Kingdom will bring paradise conditions to the world, eliminating sickness and death while restoring life to loved ones. Learning about this sign and acting on it is urgent for everyone.