When Jesus' disciples questioned Him about the time of His return to earth and asked for some signs of the end of the age, Jesus replied by giving a long list of indicators. Then he concluded with this statement: "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened." (Man. 24:34; Mark 13:30; Luke 21:32). "All these things" include His physical return; so it becomes clear that at least some of those people who are alive to see the various indicators occurring all around them also will witness Christ's second coming.

The list that Jesus gave, along with some clues given by the prophet Daniel, focuses primarily on the beginning of that "last generation" time period. Many of the signs He described are phenomena that have existed throughout human history, while others are one4ime events. For each of the long standing indicators, one must look for a dramatic and unprecedented increase in number and intensity. As such, these signs have appeared between 1940 and 1960, with the average falling around 1950. (See examples on the following page). Here is the list of the signs:

1. Explosive increase in human knowledge (Dan 12:4).
2. Vast increase in travel (Dan. 12:4).
3. Appearance of many false Christs (Matt. 24:5, 23, 26; Mark 13:6, 21).
4. Numerous and intense wars (Matt. 24:6; Mark 13:7).
5. Numerous rumors of wars (Matt. 24:6; Mark 13:7).
6. Numerous and widespread national conflicts (Matt. 24:7; Mark 13:8).
7. Great earthquakes in various places (Matt. 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11).
8. Great famines in various places (Matt. 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11).
9. Widespread hate and persecution of Christians (Matt. 24:9; Mark 13:9,13).
10. Spread of the gospel to all nations (Matt. 24:14; Mark 13:10).
11. Rebellion in the homes of unbelievers (Mark 13:12; 2 Tim. 3:2).
12. Rise of numerous cults accompanied by Satanic miracles (Matt. 24:11, 24; Mark 13:22; 1 Tim. 4:1-4).
13. Rebirth of Israel as a Jewish nation (Dan. 8 and 9; Ezek. 36, 37, and 38; Matt. 24:32; Mark 13:28).
14. Callous attitude among unbelievers (Is. 22:13; Matt. 24:12).
15. Widespread apostasy (Matt. 24:10; 2 Thes. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4:1-4).
16. Widespread revelry, "partying" (Matt. 24:38).
17. Widespread ignorance of the calamitous situation (Matt. 24:39).
18. Numerous revolutions and civil wars (Luke 21:9).
19. Widespread attacks by pestilence (Luke 21:11).
20. Unusual occurrences in the heavens (Luke 21:25).
21. Perplexity and anxiety about storms (Luke 21:25).
22. Apprehension about what is happening to the world (Luke 21:26).
23. Healing in the homes of Christians (Mal. 4: 5-6).
24. Unprecedented godlessness and debauchery (2 Tim. 3:1-9; 2 Tim. 4:3-4).
25. Scoffing attitude toward Biblical prophecies about "the end" (2 Pet. 3:3-15).

How long is a generation?

In the Old Testament, a generation is the period of time during which a person is able to function physically and mentally as an adult, roughly between ages 20 and 60 or 70. At least twice in Scripture, statements similar to that in Matt. 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 appear. One refers to the Jews' wandering in the wilderness until Moses' generation died off–38 years (Num. 14:29-30), and the other to the destruction of the second temple during the disciples' generation–40 years (Matt. 24:2; Luke 19:44).

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