According to the teaching of Jesus Christ, He told us exactly the signs of His second return. This is what will happen before He will return (Luke 21):
1. "...they will lay their hands on you and persecute you..." "...even by parents, and brothers, relatives and friends; they will put some of you to death.": The first thing will happen is somehow everyone turns against Jesus' followers (the Christians). It did happen in the past, it happens now, and it will happen in the future. However, this does not seem to be an event that will happen to a few or it is a local event. He was talking about something of global in magnitude. Christians are not to trust even family members when this will occur. Most likely, this will occur under a global dictator that hates Christians; someone who will rule the entire Earth. Is this the "anti-Christ"? Jesus does not name him, but it is kind of implied by His words.
2. After the Christians are captured or killed then "...nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.": This is very common. Kingdoms always fought among each others. Jesus was telling us that during that period, wars will still be fought. It is somehow hard to reconcile this item with the first one. If there will be a global ruler who will order Christians to be destroyed, then how come nations will still be fighting in wars? There may be local fighting among individual nations, and perhaps the "anti-Christ" will be fueling them because it will be part of his plan of destruction. These wars may be between "Christian nations" and "non-Christian nations". It is not specified by Jesus, but may be implied if one considers item 1 above.
3. "And there will be great earthquakes in various places...": Also, another vague item that occurs all the time. There is a website that records the number of earthquakes and documents them 24/7. Earthquakes happen all the time, even hourly. Jesus was talking about "great" ones and occurring at the same time. It is like you do not have to watch your TV for an earthquake happening in some far away place because you have to deal with the one happening at your own place as well. And, these will be "great" earthquakes. Earthquakes are meant to physically destroy everything, including buildings, cars, trains, planes, houses, restaurants, movie theaters, schools, electricity, Internet, TV, radio, etc. The Earth is going to be in a mess. If you survive these earthquakes, life is going to be miserable. Somehow, perhaps the Lord made the Christians be killed first so that He saves them from the miseries happening afterward.
4. "...and famines and pestilences...": These are the miseries that will be brought up due to items 2 and 3 above. Being dead during those days is a blessing.
5. "...and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven..." "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars..": Well, this one is scary just to think about it. The entire Universe will be shaken. Jesus did not tell us what people will see as signs, but He did mention that "...and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity." I did "Google" the word "perplexity" and this is what I found: "it is a state of confusion or a complicated and difficult situation or thing" according to the Cambridge English Dictionary. So, in summary, everybody will be fearful and confused about what is happening in the Universe. By the way, do not depend on NASA to be there for you either. Just remember item 3 and 4 above.
6. "...the sea and the waves roaring...": Like what we watch in the movies how the oceans go inland, the sea-coastal areas will be completely taken up by water. If anyone is still alive after item 5, this one perhaps easier to avoid, but do not count on it. Oceans in the past have swallowed up continents (remember Atlantis).
7. "...men's hearts falling them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heavens will be shaken.": This goes without saying; everybody is in utmost confusion and fear.
8. "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.": Indeed, He will come back to put a stop to all of this.
Is there a way to escape all of this? Jesus did say "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass..." Some Christians believe that they will be taken up to Heaven before all of this happens. They call it the "Rapture".
Other books in the Bible fill in some more details to the above 8 items.
1. "...they will lay their hands on you and persecute you..." "...even by parents, and brothers, relatives and friends; they will put some of you to death.": The first thing will happen is somehow everyone turns against Jesus' followers (the Christians). It did happen in the past, it happens now, and it will happen in the future. However, this does not seem to be an event that will happen to a few or it is a local event. He was talking about something of global in magnitude. Christians are not to trust even family members when this will occur. Most likely, this will occur under a global dictator that hates Christians; someone who will rule the entire Earth. Is this the "anti-Christ"? Jesus does not name him, but it is kind of implied by His words.
2. After the Christians are captured or killed then "...nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.": This is very common. Kingdoms always fought among each others. Jesus was telling us that during that period, wars will still be fought. It is somehow hard to reconcile this item with the first one. If there will be a global ruler who will order Christians to be destroyed, then how come nations will still be fighting in wars? There may be local fighting among individual nations, and perhaps the "anti-Christ" will be fueling them because it will be part of his plan of destruction. These wars may be between "Christian nations" and "non-Christian nations". It is not specified by Jesus, but may be implied if one considers item 1 above.
3. "And there will be great earthquakes in various places...": Also, another vague item that occurs all the time. There is a website that records the number of earthquakes and documents them 24/7. Earthquakes happen all the time, even hourly. Jesus was talking about "great" ones and occurring at the same time. It is like you do not have to watch your TV for an earthquake happening in some far away place because you have to deal with the one happening at your own place as well. And, these will be "great" earthquakes. Earthquakes are meant to physically destroy everything, including buildings, cars, trains, planes, houses, restaurants, movie theaters, schools, electricity, Internet, TV, radio, etc. The Earth is going to be in a mess. If you survive these earthquakes, life is going to be miserable. Somehow, perhaps the Lord made the Christians be killed first so that He saves them from the miseries happening afterward.
4. "...and famines and pestilences...": These are the miseries that will be brought up due to items 2 and 3 above. Being dead during those days is a blessing.
5. "...and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven..." "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars..": Well, this one is scary just to think about it. The entire Universe will be shaken. Jesus did not tell us what people will see as signs, but He did mention that "...and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity." I did "Google" the word "perplexity" and this is what I found: "it is a state of confusion or a complicated and difficult situation or thing" according to the Cambridge English Dictionary. So, in summary, everybody will be fearful and confused about what is happening in the Universe. By the way, do not depend on NASA to be there for you either. Just remember item 3 and 4 above.
6. "...the sea and the waves roaring...": Like what we watch in the movies how the oceans go inland, the sea-coastal areas will be completely taken up by water. If anyone is still alive after item 5, this one perhaps easier to avoid, but do not count on it. Oceans in the past have swallowed up continents (remember Atlantis).
7. "...men's hearts falling them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heavens will be shaken.": This goes without saying; everybody is in utmost confusion and fear.
8. "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.": Indeed, He will come back to put a stop to all of this.
Is there a way to escape all of this? Jesus did say "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass..." Some Christians believe that they will be taken up to Heaven before all of this happens. They call it the "Rapture".
Other books in the Bible fill in some more details to the above 8 items.
