In Luke 21, Jesus gave His disciples a quick list of the signs they should look for as indications His return is near.

Jesus said, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven.” (Luke 21:10-11 NASB)

We find many of the signs Jesus mentioned throughout history. But recent developments make them more immediate than ever. That’s because there are three key differences between now and centuries past.

The first and most important is “Israel.” Second Coming prophecies throughout the Old and New Testaments require the existence of a reborn and legally recognized nation of Israel. The presence of the State of Israel and its control over the city of Jerusalem give meaning and urgency to all the prophecies concerning the Lord’s return.

The second factor that increases the sense of urgency is “Convergence.” The list of signs Jesus gave, and scores of others, are now happening all at once. We’re no longer seeing a random sign here or there. We are seeing a rapid confluence of all the signs.

The third thing that makes our time different is “Degree.” Just as Jesus warned, the intensity and frequency of the signs have either grown dramatically or appear on the verge of unprecedented acceleration.

On this week’s program, I will examine some of the latest developments from around the world that demonstrate how accurate these prophecies of Jesus are and how rapidly they are now being fulfilled.

Believers will be encouraged by the realization that the Rapture of the Church, our “blessed hope,” could happen at any moment. But if discussions like this frighten you, or cause you unease, then that means you are not confident in your relationship with God.

When I produce a program like this, one of my goals is to prove how accurate the Bible’s prophecies are. And if the Bible can be so spot-on about developments and events — even weapons of war — that could not possibly have been conceived of thousands of years ago, then the Bible can be trusted with everything else it says.

And the Bible tells us that we don’t have to be afraid when we see how rapidly this Age of Grace is coming to an end. In fact, it shows us explicitly how we can escape the horrible events that will soon burst upon this old world.

Nothing you can do on your own, nothing you can pay or promise, can gain you entrance into heaven when you die. But don’t be discouraged, that’s the good news. Jesus Christ has already done it for you! He bought you a ticket to heaven by taking upon Himself the guilt for all of your sins and dying in your place to pay the penalty you owed.

To redeem that ticket, all we must do is accept the free gift of pardon for our sins that Jesus purchased for us with His death on the cross.

And it is so simple to do. Just believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God. Admit to Him that you are a sinner and can never qualify for heaven on your own. Humbly ask Him to forgive you for that sin and cover you with His own righteousness. Then accept that pardon and believe that God will do everything He has promised.

If you do that sincerely, then you don’t have to be afraid as you see the prophecies of the Bible spring to life all around you. No matter if you die or if you are snatched away from this earth when Jesus returns to “rapture” us away to heaven, you will be ready to go.

For now you are a child of the Living God and part of his forever-family. When He comes or when you die, you’ll just be going home!

Don’t miss The Hal Lindsey Report on TBN, Daystar, CPM Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com. Please check your local listings.

God Bless,

Hal Lindsey