Are We Living in the Last Days? Here’s What to Watch For: Jesus gave His followers a powerful warning in Matthew 24:7–13, describing what would unfold before His return:

“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows… And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”

Take a moment to look around—do these signs seem familiar?

From political chaos and global conflict to natural disasters and deadly diseases, the very birth pangs Jesus spoke of are accelerating. Recent years have shown us just how quickly pestilence can impact the world. But Scripture says pestilence—plural. More are coming.

We’re also seeing intensified earthquakes and increasingly extreme weather. None of this is random. These are not merely climate or political issues. These are prophetic markers, alerting the spiritually awake to prepare their hearts for what’s ahead. The planet we are living on is travailing as we draw nearer to it’s climatic end-of-the-age.

A Time of Testing and Falling Away

Jesus warned that many would be offended, betray one another, and abandon their faith. Why? Because the cost of following Christ will rise. Earthly comforts will be threatened. Without a deep foundation in God’s Word and a firm commitment to Him, many will compromise truth for survival, full bellies and acceptance by others.

It’s not about fear—it’s about faithfulness.

Will We Recognize the Mark of the Beast?

Many believers ask, “Will I recognize the mark when it comes?” That’s a vital question—and one that we must all take seriously.

It won’t be as obvious as a visible “666” on a forehead. The Bible tells us it will involve allegiance to the Antichrist system and will be tied to commerce—the ability to buy and sell. We’re already seeing early prototypes of this system through technologies that track, scan, and potentially restrict participation in daily life. This will be a global scenario. Many countries are already experiencing extreme surveillance.

Will you be ready when that choice comes?

The pressure to conform won’t just stem from fear—it will come through the need to survive. “You can’t buy groceries… You can’t work … You can’t go anywhere…” Sound familiar? For many, COVID served as a wake-up call to prepare for what’s coming. Now is the time to ask yourself: Have I made any changes in my life to prepare for these realities?

Tribulation Before Deliverance

Scripture is clear—the final 7 years begin with a peace treaty. During the second half of that period, the 6th seal will be opened, and the rapture will take place (Revelation 7:9-17). Between now and then, we will face intense trials and deception. Many will fall—not from evil intent, but from a lack of preparation.

Digital currencies, government control, and global surveillance are already in motion. They’re not coming—they’re here. This is why it’s critical to strengthen your spiritual roots now.

Ground Yourself in the Word

God’s Word is your anchor in the storm. The Holy Spirit is your guide. Jesus is your Rock. Don’t wait for the storm to hit—build your house now. “As in the days of Noah…” those who obeyed God were protected.

The Lord has a plan of deliverance for His people. Revelation 3:10 tells us that He intends to “test” those who live on the earth. But He calls those who trust in Him to be alert, faithful, and courageous. Jesus tells us, “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”

He doesn’t warn us to scare us. He tells us so we can prepare to endure, overcome, and fulfill our assignment on earth.

He chose for you to live in these days. Not to be afraid, but to stand firm and shine brightly as you represent our Lord and Savior faithfully.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16

If you’re unsure where you stand with God, please visit our “Book Your Heaven Flight” by clicking the button at the bottom of the homepage of our website. Eternity is too important to leave to chance.

RESOURCES TO EQUIP YOU

Visit DaleBlack.org and access our Free Downloads:

18 Scriptures of the Coming Persecution
A Timeline of the Last Days
Emergency Preparedness Plan & Checklist

We are here to walk with you through this hour of history—equipping you with truth, encouragement, and tools to remain faithful.

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Let’s be a light in these times. Share this message with someone who needs hope and truth.

With God nothing is impossible,

Dale Black

Jacques LaFrance on June 28, 2025 at 8:42 pm

As usual a good article. But I would change a few things. First of all, John says in Revelation 7:9-17 he was told the ones he saw standing before the throne in white robes came out of the great tribulation. That doesn’t necessarily that they were “raptured”, especially since the rapture is a modern concept not mentioned in Scripture apart from Jesus saying that when he returns those of us that are still alive will be taken up in the air with him. At the same time, Jesus tells of many other things that will happen at that time, which don’t fit this part of Revelation. Jesus did say at that time many would be persecuted and killed. Could those before the altar be the ones killed in the great tribulation? When we die, by being killed or in whatever way, we are taken in the spirit out of this world into God’s glorious new world prepared for a love relationship between him and those of us that love Him. Personally, since I don’t see the Bible supporting the modern idea of the rapture, I suspect those before the throne were killed or died in the great tribulation. My opinion.

Secondly, from my studies of what the Bible says and what eyewitnesses to heaven were told by Jesus, the major message from all of this is for us to be ready for His return and that means, from Revelation, to have patient endurance and faithfulness. John mentions this twice in Revelation, in 13:10 and 14:12, both of which occur after the seventh trumpet. But the saints are mentioned later also. In 16:2 the ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. Why mention this unless there were some who had not taken the mark of the beast as they had been warned by the prophets? Nothing is mentioned again until 17:15 when the kings under the beast make war against the Lamb and the Lamb overcomes them, and with him are his called, chosen, and faithful followers. Were they here or did they come back with Him or both? I don’t think Scripture makes it clear, leaving open the possibility some of those who do battle with the Lamb are here when they join him.

This is a mystery, but I think the important thing from all of this (Scripture and the eyewitness testimony) is that we must be focused on being ready with patient endurance and faithfulness. That is what is most important for us to learn at this time, not whether we will be “raptured” or not. I believe that is where your discussion of Atomic Faith is most crucial, giving us the resources to have patient endurance and faithfulness to be able to trust God and depend on Him in new more challenging ways when we can’t buy groceries and are constantly monitored by the satanic government of the antichrist.

1 Comment

Jacques LaFrance on June 28, 2025 at 8:42 pm

As usual a good article. But I would change a few things. First of all, John says in Revelation 7:9-17 he was told the ones he saw standing before the throne in white robes came out of the great tribulation. That doesn’t necessarily that they were “raptured”, especially since the rapture is a modern concept not mentioned in Scripture apart from Jesus saying that when he returns those of us that are still alive will be taken up in the air with him. At the same time, Jesus tells of many other things that will happen at that time, which don’t fit this part of Revelation. Jesus did say at that time many would be persecuted and killed. Could those before the altar be the ones killed in the great tribulation? When we die, by being killed or in whatever way, we are taken in the spirit out of this world into God’s glorious new world prepared for a love relationship between him and those of us that love Him. Personally, since I don’t see the Bible supporting the modern idea of the rapture, I suspect those before the throne were killed or died in the great tribulation. My opinion.

Secondly, from my studies of what the Bible says and what eyewitnesses to heaven were told by Jesus, the major message from all of this is for us to be ready for His return and that means, from Revelation, to have patient endurance and faithfulness. John mentions this twice in Revelation, in 13:10 and 14:12, both of which occur after the seventh trumpet. But the saints are mentioned later also. In 16:2 the ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. Why mention this unless there were some who had not taken the mark of the beast as they had been warned by the prophets? Nothing is mentioned again until 17:15 when the kings under the beast make war against the Lamb and the Lamb overcomes them, and with him are his called, chosen, and faithful followers. Were they here or did they come back with Him or both? I don’t think Scripture makes it clear, leaving open the possibility some of those who do battle with the Lamb are here when they join him.

This is a mystery, but I think the important thing from all of this (Scripture and the eyewitness testimony) is that we must be focused on being ready with patient endurance and faithfulness. That is what is most important for us to learn at this time, not whether we will be “raptured” or not. I believe that is where your discussion of Atomic Faith is most crucial, giving us the resources to have patient endurance and faithfulness to be able to trust God and depend on Him in new more challenging ways when we can’t buy groceries and are constantly monitored by the satanic government of the antichrist.