Signs of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Passages for further study about the Second Coming of Christ

• Jeremiah 30:7
• Daniel 12:1–4
• Matthew 24
• Mark 13
• Luke 21
• Acts 2:20
• 1 Thessalonians 5:3
• 2 Timothy 3:1-5
• 2 Peter 2:1; 3:3
• 1 John 2:18
• Revelation 6; 8-9; 12-14
• Revelation 18:11

Signs of Christ’s return found in the Bible

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko

The Bible talks about signs of the Second Coming in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. They’re mentioned in places like Daniel, the Gospel accounts, Paul’s writings, and the book of Revelation. But in Matthew 24, Jesus shares one of the most descriptive summaries of these signs:

• False christs and false prophets (verses 4-5, 11, 23-24)
• Worldwide wars and rumors of wars (verses 6-7)
• Famines and earthquakes (verse 7)
• Persecution of Christians (verse 9)
• Hate, betrayal, and lawlessness (verses 10, 12)
• Extreme hardship (verse 21)
• Strange events in the sky (verse 29)
• The Gospel taken to the whole world (verse 14)

Jesus used these signs to prepare people for two separate events. First, for the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD (the end of the ancient nation of Israel, at the time).² But also, for the future coming of Jesus, or the “end of the age” (Matthew 24:3, ESV).

The best definition of sign (or sémeion, in Greek³) for today’s use is “something that indicates what is present or is to come.”⁴

Now let’s break down the signs of Christ’s coming in each of the four categories:

Signs in religion

The Bible says we’ll see false prophets, false christs, and hardship (or tribulation). Here are the verses that describe this, and we’ll look at what makes it so important to recognize them.

1. False Christs and false prophets

“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. … Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many” (Matthew 24:5, 11).

 

“For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24, ESV).

 

“Jesus told them, ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and they will deceive many’” (Mark 13:5-6).

 

“There were indeed false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves” (2 Peter 2:1a).

 

“Then He said, “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Don’t follow them” (Luke 21:8).

 

“Children, it is the last hour. And as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. By this we know that it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18)

It’s said repeatedly that we’ll see an increase in false messiahs. But we’ll also see convincing miracles performed by false prophets and religious figures with their own underlying agendas (ultimately working under Satan’s power). And according to Scripture, many Christians won’t even realize they’re being misled.

So, how do we avoid deception? In two main ways:

First, by knowing that no one has to “announce” Jesus’ arrival because everyone will see Him at the same time. Matthew records that all the people of the earth will see the “Son of Man” (Jesus) appear in the sky in “great glory” (24:30). And the book of Revelation confirms it:

“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him…” (Revelation 1:7a, ESV).

He won’t be walking on the earth itself—so we won’t have to go and find Him (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

That’s why Jesus says not to follow those whose words and actions aren’t in line with biblical teachings:

“So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it” (Matthew 24:26, ESV).

Second, the Bible says not to believe anyone who doesn’t make it clear that they believe Jesus is the Son of God:

“And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already” (1 John 4:3, ESV).

 

“Many deceivers have gone out into the world; they do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist” (2 John 7).

2. Hardship and religious persecution

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be” (Matthew 24:21, ESV).

 

“Then they will hand you over to be persecuted, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name. Then many will fall away, betray one another, and hate one another” (Matthew 24:9-10).

 

“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. They will hand you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of My name” (Luke 21:12).

 

“But know this: Hard times will come in the last days” (2 Timothy 3:1).

 

“…There will be a time of distress such as never has occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape” (Daniel 12:1-2).

 

“How awful that day will be! There will be no other like it! It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it” (Jeremiah 30:7).

 

“So the dragon was furious with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep the commands of God and hold firmly to the testimony about Jesus” (Revelation 12:17).

This tells us that people loyal to God will face persecution, opposition, and betrayal in the last days (Luke 21:16). But we also have assurance that God will be victorious. He will continue to be “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Signs in nature (famines, disease, and more)

Photo by Doruk Aksel Anıl

Records of natural disasters go as far back as 1,600 BC when Mount Thera erupted. Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, fires, tsunamis, hurricanes, etc., are nothing new. But the way these disasters are discussed as a sign of the end times seems to indicate that they’ll become more frequent, more extreme, or happening in unprecedented ways.

The Bible also says we’ll see more famine and disease in the world. And immediately before Jesus returns, we’ll see things in the sky that we won’t be able to fully explain.

“There will be famines and earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:7b).

 

“There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.. … And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,” (Luke 21:11, 25, ESV).

 

“The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes” (Acts 2:20). (See also Revelation 6:12.)

 

“Immediately after the distress of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matthew 24:29). (See also Mark 13:24-25.)

This shows us that natural disasters will continue to be a part of our history, likely happening more often and with more severity. But the signs involving the sun, moon, and stars will react right before Jesus returns.

These signs might sound alarming, but God encourages us over and over to lean on Him. One of the most common instructions from God throughout the Bible is to fear not, don’t be afraid, do not worry, etc., which assures us that God will sustain us through it all (Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:9; Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 41:10; Luke 12:7; John 14:27; Hebrews 13:6…and many more).

Signs in global relations

Many leaders and organizations have admirable goals of achieving world peace. Near the end of time, many people will claim the world is growing closer to “peace and safety” (1 Thessalonians 5:3, NKJV). But according to the Bible, international struggles and economics will only get more volatile in this last prophetic era:

“You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6).

 

“When you hear of wars and rebellions, don’t be alarmed. Indeed, it is necessary that these things take place first, but the end won’t come right away. Then He told them, ‘Nation will be raised up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom’” (Luke 21:9-10).

 

“The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn…because no one buys their cargo any longer” (Revelation 18:11).

These signs are the natural result of a world filled with sin and selfishness. That’s why the world will grow even more uncertain. But Jesus tells us up front so we can focus on our future with Him instead of fretting over things we can’t control.

Signs in society

Photo by Kindel Media

The Bible talks about social morality as a sign of where humanity is headed, which will end up leading to Jesus’ return. Many will be absorbed by the very cares of life that Jesus Himself told us not to worry about. We’ll see more selfishness and fear, which will only make crime, corruption, and conflict worse.

“Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).

 

“But know this: Hard times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people” (2 Timothy 3:1-3).

 

“Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days scoffing and following their own evil desires” (2 Peter 3:3).

These verses show us that overall, we’ll continue to see a growing, global pattern of people being:

1. Lawless—not only in social behavior but in disregarding God’s law of love (Matthew 22:36-40, Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:14)
2. Acting out of selfish desire more than out of love for God and others
3. Preoccupied by things the world values (money, success, recognition, power, etc.) to the point of neglecting a relationship with Jesus
4. Living contrary to Christ’s example and the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
5. Hypocrites who appear righteous but have hidden, self-serving agendas
6. Expressing disdain toward those who hope in Jesus and the Second Coming

The final biblical sign: the Gospel message goes worldwide

Yes, this is another religious sign, but there’s a reason it’s mentioned last. The Bible says the worldwide spread of Gospel knowledge is the final sign before Jesus comes:

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14, ESV).

 

“Then I saw another angel flying high overhead, with the eternal gospel to announce to the inhabitants of the earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people” (Revelation 14:6).

 

“But you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam about, and knowledge will increase” (Daniel 12:4).

Bible prophecy shows us that the Gospel spread “like wildfire.” One way or another, God will make sure everyone has a chance to understand and accept His message of hope, deliverance, and redemption.

And this sign, unlike the others we’ve mentioned so far, ends things on a high note.

How to respond to signs of Jesus Christ’s return

God gives us signs of the trajectory of our sin-corrupted world so we can understand its patterns. That way, we’ll be able to recognize what’s happening and why.

We can think of it like a sudden dip an airplane takes when it encounters some weather. We’re likely to hear the pilot warning the passengers to buckle their seatbelts in preparation for turbulence ahead.

Pilots don’t do this to scare passengers into compliance. They do this to communicate that yes, things will get bumpy, but they’re in control. They just want to notify everyone what’s coming up so they won’t be afraid.

So when we recognize signs in life that match what we’ve read in the Bible, we can be the faithful passengers that follow instructions accordingly, trusting the pilot’s experience. Even if there’s quite a bit of turbulence ahead, we know it’s not our job to fly the plane, so we leave things to the pilot to handle.

It also helps to remember that the perfect world He created was never meant to end. It was never meant to be corrupted. His intention was for us to live forever with Him. But because of sin, much of the world and its inhabitants are moving further away from Him and heading toward self-destruction, with the help of Satan’s influence.

So these signs remind us that this world is a battlefield—not a place to stake our hopes on.

Thanks to Jesus’ selfless life, death on the Cross, and resurrection, the end of this world doesn’t have to be the end for us.

When Jesus returns, He’ll destroy sin once and for all. He’ll recreate the world as it once was—with all its peace, beauty, and selfless love. And He’ll grant eternal life to everyone who accepts His lifeline (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

So, how soon until Jesus returns?

Well, for someone who dies in Christ today, it’ll be like Jesus’s Second Coming is the next instant (Daniel 12:2)

But Jesus also compares the signs of His Second Coming to a fig tree at the start of summer:

“Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near—at the door (Matthew 24:32-33; see also Mark 13:28-29; Luke 21:29-33).

Jesus uses the fig tree example to show us He will return as He promised—as sure as the changing seasons. And it’s easy to see from how things are trending that the world could change in an instant. And then, “like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2), suddenly, Jesus appears!

The thief-like surprise is mostly felt by those who were chasing “peace and security” in the world, and not looking toward God (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

But that passage continues to tell us:

“But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief” (1 Thessalonians 5:4).

So as a recap, the Bible doesn’t give us signs so we can:

🚫Figure out the exact date of Jesus’ return (Matthew 24:36; Luke 12:40)
🚫Obsess over what the signs are and which ones have happened
🚫Hoard money or goods as “security” during the end times (James 5:1-3)

Jesus just gave us some helpful information that will help us understand the bigger picture, so that no matter how turbulent things get, we know what’s really happening—and Who we can put our faith in.

We can also think of this time period like tornado season in the Midwest. There are several signs that a tornado could form, and it’s smart to know what they are. It’s also smart to know what to do when the actual siren goes off, so that when it does, you don’t have to panic. It’s a scary situation, but you know what you’re supposed to do.

In the case of the Second Coming, our only safety is in the arms of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. So that’s who we run to when our internal alarm bells go off.

Photo by Jonathan Borba

One comparison the Bible uses compares the signs of the Second Coming to labor pains. A pregnant woman expects this discomfort because she knows it’s part of the process—it’s not cause for alarm.

It can even be seen as a positive thing—it signals her that her baby will be born soon. And when she goes from labor pains into the phase where it’s time to push the baby out, the pain increases more and more until the baby is born.

So when a woman is pregnant, it doesn’t mean she stops shopping for groceries, doing her daily work, or living her life. But everything—from the way she eats to the books she reads—makes it clear where her focus lies. She’s packed her hospital bag. The baby’s room is already set up. And she’s done her homework so that even if she’s at work or running errands or at a friend’s house when she feels those first pangs of labor…she knows what to do, who to call, and where to go.

That’s what Jesus wants for us:

“Based on His promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).

When we “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33), we won’t become preoccupied with the fleeting, volatile priorities of the world. We won’t be expecting to find security, peace, and purpose from within the world alone. Instead, we’ll see every moment here as an opportunity to:

• Build a trusting relationship with God
• Accept and understand salvation through Jesus
• Love and serve others like Christ did
• Show others what Jesus is like

But how do we stop worrying about the signs?

The signs of the Second Coming remind us to mainly focus on Jesus, and not on all the distractions around us. Scripture, the Word of God, reminds us that we don’t need to fear what’s happening in the world. Instead, we can look to God, who assures us that He’ll carry us through if we put our trust in Him. He helps us face things with courage from the Holy Spirit.

Let’s close with some reminders of God’s promises we can claim anytime:

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world” (John 16:33).

 

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

 

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful” (John 14:27).

 

“God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, though its water roars and foams and the mountains quake with its turmoil” (Psalms 46:1-3).

All signs point “North”

The signs that reveal the nearness of Jesus’ return can feel like a lot when you study them all at once. As the world gets closer and closer to this “Day of the Lord,” we’ll recognize more signs. We’ll gradually get a clearer, big-picture view of where things are headed, and see how the “tornado sirens” or “turbulence” could begin at any minute.

But the Bible also reminds us not to obsess over these signs. We don’t need to put our lives on hold or hoard resources. Instead, we’re to focus on Jesus—whether He arrives in our lifetime or not.

And we can take comfort in the good news that before Jesus comes, the Gospel truth will spread like wildfire!

So we can enjoy spending intentional time with God daily, learning to place our trust in Him. That way when Jesus returns, we won’t hesitate to let go of this corrupted world and hold onto Him.

The Second Coming will be the most glorious and wonderful day for everyone who believes in Jesus. But if you’re still feeling anxiety about the end times, you’re not alone. And we’ve got you covered!

1. Diamant, Jeff, “About Four-in-ten U.S. Adults Believe Humanity Is ‘Living in the End Times’.” Pew Research Center. [↵]
2. Nichol, Francis D., Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5 (1957), Review and Herald Publishing Association, p. 497. [↵]
3. Strong’s #4592 [↵]
4. “SIGN,” Merriam-Webster Dictionary. [↵]

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