In January, wildfires tore through California, claiming 29 lives, leaving dozens missing and destroying more than 16,000 structures. In the aftermath, investigators searched for answers, while those affected — grieving and uncertain — sought clarity.
As theories emerged, some rational and others speculative, religious interpretations surfaced: Could this devastation be a warning?
In the face of calamities, people often seek answers, hope and the reassurance of a higher purpose amidst the chaos. In our longing for the Second Coming, could the latest disaster be another sign of the end? After all, some authors suggest more than 100 signs of the Second Coming.
The term "signs" is a favorite in religious circles. "Signs of the times" has become a classic religious response to natural disasters, wars, epidemics, political upheavals and similar turbulent events that shake us and lead to reflection.
This discussion traces back to the Mount of Olives, where the disciples asked Jesus a crucial question, as recorded in three of the four gospels:
- In Luke 21:7, the disciples inquired, “Teacher, when will this happen? What will be the sign when all this will occur?”
- In Mark 13:4, they asked, “Tell us, when will this happen? What will be the sign when all this will come to an end?”
- In Matt. 24:3, they came to Him privately and said, “Tell us, when will this happen? What will be the sign that You are coming again, and when will the world come to an end?”
A careful reading reveals that the disciples spoke about a singular sign rather than multiple signs — a nuance particularly noted by Adventists versus other denominations. Jesus’ response in Matt. 24:4–13 to their question clarifies and emphasizes the singularity of a sign.
- Matt. 24:4: “Watch out that no one deceives you.”
- Matt. 24:6: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.”
- Matt. 24:7: “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.”
- Matt. 24:8: “All these are the beginning of birth pains.”
- Matt. 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
A closer examination shows that calamities — whether natural or man-made — do not signal the end times or the Second Coming of Jesus. Portraying these events as divine warnings risks misrepresenting God, casting Him as a vengeful, punitive force rather than the loving and compassionate deity He truly is.
The true sign is singular: the preaching of the gospel. This mission carries a dual nature — both proclamation and humanitarian outreach.
Evangelism is about sharing the good news and demonstrating Christ’s love in action, upholding the dignity of all people through compassionate service and tangible care.
If we perceive current events as heralds of the Second Coming, it deepens the significance of our commitment to preaching and caring for our neighbors. This understanding is crucial for Christians today.
I recall a Sabbath School lesson from 2002, Great Apocalyptic Prophecies, which reinforced this truth. The May 13 reading stated: “Two things must be noted regarding these predicted events. First, they are not signs of the end but events that will happen while God's people wait for the end.”
The lesson reading went on: “Although Jesus described various trials and tribulations His followers would face — persecution, prejudice, apostasy, treason and absence of love — none of these is ‘the sign’ of the end. The sign is the preaching of the gospel to the world, and then the end will come.”
As true disciples, we must stop viewing all these catastrophes as God's “evangelizing agents” for His return. Instead, we should redirect our focus to those who need a human voice to share the gospel of grace and love that Jesus commissioned us to deliver.
Do we genuinely want Jesus to come? Absolutely! Let us fulfill the mission He entrusted to us as His disciples. Then, and only then, will the end come.
