Matthew 24:9-14

Jesus continued to answer the questions of the disciples: When will the end of the world happen? What will be the signs? The signs, Jesus said, will be very hard on us. People will turn away from the Christian faith. Christians will be hated by people because of their faith. False prophets will appear and lead many away from the truth of God’s Word. As the end of time approaches ungodliness will increase as the love of God in people’s hearts decreases.
 
All of these signs were already evident within years – almost within months – of Jesus' death and resurrection. The disciples later understood, as we should, that the end times began when Jesus left the earth at his ascension into heaven. From that time, up to the present, and into the future until the actual Last Day – these are the end times. Yes, we are living in them now.
 
But we still have work to do. Jesus also told the disciples that "the gospel...will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations." There’s hardly a region on earth that hasn't had some contact with the gospel in the past two thousand years. Although this sign is already completed (or very close to being completed), that doesn't mean we should stop reaching out with the message of salvation. There are people near each one of us who need Jesus. The end itself may happen at any time, "like a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2). But when it does, we want to have brought as many people as we could to the cross of Jesus Christ.

The message of Jesus is the power that brings people to faith in him as their Savior and keeps them firm in that faith so that they are prepared to meet their Lord when the end finally does come. That's why we say with the Apostle Paul, "Pray that I might proclaim it clearly, as I should." (Colossians 4:4).