Everyone wants to know what the future holds. With world trends and conditions growing grimmer by the day, what lies ahead for all nations has become the very greatest concern. Millions are searching—wondering about the course of daily events.

Many “sense” or even firmly believe that we are in the last days. But they have rarely sought to prove this. Yet they can—and should—know whether we are. So must you!

It has become painfully obvious that this world is in terrible trouble. Mankind is overwhelmed with every kind of trouble, evil and ill—war, terrorism, violence of every kind, famine, disease, pollution, overpopulation, political upheaval, religious confusion and tremendous economic turmoil and decline, threatening to make the Great Depression look like child’s play.

Then there are the hundreds of millions who live in abject poverty, ignorance and oppression. Now add rampant and worsening immorality and perversion in every Western nation, growing hatred, unrest and the never-ending cycle of war in the Middle East, deteriorating conditions throughout Africa, frightening weather patterns across many parts of the world, devastating fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, drought and floods occurring with greater frequency and intensity—and headlines screaming of murder, rape, robbery and crimes of every kind. These mushrooming problems now threaten all nations.

Is all of this really only a little temporary worsening of what is otherwise “business as usual” for planet Earth? Many—and much louder!—are the voices that say time is running out to solve the really big problems facing the world. More and more world leaders are expressing pessimism about the rise of troubles within and between nations. So are educators, military planners, sociologists and scientists. Because this is also an age of religious sundowners and doomsayers, most will not pay real—serious!—attention.

Almost 2,000 years ago, Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matt. 24:3).

Jesus answered, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse [various] places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (vs. 4-8).

When Christ foretold the “end of the world,” He meant man’s civilization—not the planet “blowing up.” In the Greek, end of the “world” means end of the “age.”

He further stated, “And when these things begin to come to pass then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28). The “these things” He referred to include a whole series of events prophesied to occur for the first time in history! These things are happening—and intensifying—NOW! They are another powerful indicator that these are the last days!

Most believe man is capable at the last minute of “snatching victory from the jaws of defeat,” and will save himself by solving his own problems! They think “everything will turn out all right, somehow!” Though wrong in the short term, this is ultimately correct—but by very different means! Yet you do not need to fear the future. Just as God reveals what lies ahead, He also provides a way of escape for those willing to listen.

To learn much more about this subject, watch The World to Come broadcasts “Are We in the Last Days?” and “Is the End Near?”