Before the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, HE told us some things to expect to see upon this earth before the second coming of Jesus and the great tribulation and the end of this world.
Jesus said:
Matthew 24:6-8 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Wars, rumors of wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes ... which we have seen for centuries.
Two other things which must happen before Jesus returns:
II Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (of the Lord) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
In 1982, God said to me: The falling away are not people leaving the churches. The falling away are the churches leaving the scriptures. (This we have seen for many generations as various denominations are set up by men and doctrines other than those in New Testament Bible become a part of their church groups.)
Matthew 24:14 Jesus says: And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
(Hasn't Internet been a very big factor in fulfilling this with both blogs and podcasts?)
I believe we have seen all these things happen.
No one knows exactly when Jesus will returns and the great tribulation will come, but we are told to "be ready".
Most of the people of this world are oblivious to these things that are approaching, but we, the church, know these things are coming and many of us think they are coming soon, perhaps in our own lifetimes.
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but MY words shall not pass away.
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (over indulgence), and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.