What Time is It? It's "Time's Up!"

Scripture: Revelation 1:3, Revelation 22:12

Hey, you! Yes, you—what time is it? Is it time for a quick snack? Time to check your phone for updates? Time to think about dinner? Well, let me tell you: it's not just any time. It’s God’s time, and it’s running out. The clock is ticking, and I’ve got a message for you today: Time's Up!

Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “Preacher, this sounds like one of those ‘end times’ sermons.” Well, guess what? You’re right! We are living in the end times. If you’ve been waiting for signs, wondering if Jesus is really coming back, I’m here to tell you: He is, and it’s closer than you think!

The Bible Says So

Let’s get straight to the Word. In Revelation 1:3, it says, “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” And then, in Revelation 22:12, Jesus says,

“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what they have done.”

Did you catch that? He’s coming soon! And He’s not just coming for a quick visit. He’s coming with rewards, and He’s bringing everything to an end. But here's the kicker: He doesn't tell us when. He just says, “I’m coming.” Could be today. Could be tomorrow. Could be in an hour. We don’t know, but we’re running out of time.

The Signs Are Everywhere

Look around you. Are you seeing the signs? You don’t need to be a Bible scholar to know that something is happening in the world today. Wars, earthquakes, pestilence, deception, and confusion—these are all things that Jesus talked about in the Gospels when He told us what the last days would look like. In Matthew 24, He said:

• "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars."

• "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom."

• "There will be famines and earthquakes in various places."

  
  

Sound familiar? It should. Because it’s happening now. We're in the middle of what could be the greatest spiritual battle of all time.

But here's the thing: just because the world looks crazy, doesn't mean it's out of control. God is still on the throne. But the signs are there. They’re like the flashing red lights on a countdown clock. Time is running out, and we need to wake up!

The Return of Jesus is Imminent

The return of Jesus is not a distant future event—it is imminent. Look around, and you'll see the signs clearly laid out in the Bible, and we are witnessing them unfold in our world today. Let me highlight a few key areas where the prophecies about the end times are becoming more real with each passing day.

False Prophets and Deception

Jesus warned us about the rise of false prophets and teachers in the last days, and we are certainly seeing that now. False prophets don’t always wear robes and claim to be divine. In fact, some of the most dangerous false teachings come from people and organizations that mix truth with lies.

• Celebrity leaders: Many so-called "spiritual leaders" who speak to millions today are distorting the Gospel for profit and fame. Think of the prosperity gospel movement, where pastors tell their followers that faith in Jesus guarantees financial success and physical health, as though Christianity is a business transaction. Names like Joel Osteen, Kenneth Copeland, and Creflo Dollar come to mind, promoting a message that focuses on self and material wealth rather than the true Gospel message of repentance and salvation.

  
  

• New Age spiritualism: People are turning away from the truth of God's Word and embracing New Age ideas, such as yoga as a path to spiritual enlightenment, astrology, or even channeling "spiritual guides." These ideas promote a false peace and lead people away from the only true source of salvation—Jesus Christ. Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and other influencers are leading the charge in spreading these dangerous, man-made spiritual ideas.

  
  

• Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, and other cults: These groups claim to be "Christian" but teach a radically different Jesus, one who is not the eternal Son of God or the only way to salvation. These false doctrines lead people into eternal darkness while they think they’re serving Christ.

  
  

This is exactly what Jesus warned about—false Christs and false prophets will arise and deceive many (Matthew 24:24). The deception is widespread, and people are falling for it every day.

The Gospel Spreading Rapidly

Now, let's talk about the incredible spread of the Gospel in our day. Jesus prophesied that the Gospel would be preached to the whole world before the end would come.

• As of today, the Gospel has reached virtually every nation on Earth. There are approximately 195 recognized nations in the world, and thanks to advancements in technology, translation efforts, and modern communication, the Gospel is being preached in nearly every language. The Bible is now available in over 3,000 languages, and translation work continues for the remaining languages.

  
  

• Missionary efforts are stronger than ever. Groups like Wycliffe Bible Translators and The Jesus Film Project are working tirelessly to ensure that people in every corner of the world have access to the message of Jesus Christ. Even in regions that were once considered unreachable, the Gospel is now penetrating communities.

  
  

• The internet and social media have also played a crucial role in spreading the Gospel. Preachers, evangelists, and ministries can now broadcast the Word of God to millions in real-time. Just think about it—sermons, worship services, and Bible studies are now being shared instantly around the globe.

  
  

As Jesus said in Matthew 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.” 

This is happening right before our eyes!

Moral Decay in Society

One of the most disturbing signs that we are in the last days is the moral decay we see in our society today. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul warned that in the last days, people would become

“lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good.”

He went on to say that people would have a form of godliness but deny its power.

Let’s look at what’s happening now:

• Transgender and LGBTQ agenda: The rise of transgender ideology and the aggressive push for LGBTQ rights is one of the clearest signs of moral decay. Gender is now being treated as fluid, and traditional biblical views on marriage and sexuality are being called "hate speech." The Bible clearly defines marriage as between one man and one woman, but society is embracing a radical shift that goes against God’s created order. Those who speak out against these ideologies, especially Christians, are being censored, shamed, or even criminalized.

  
  

• The rise of the demonic: Many in society are becoming more open to occult practices, witchcraft, and spiritual darkness. From Ouija boards to witchcraft influencers on social media, people are embracing demonic spiritual practices that are leading them away from the light of Christ. In fact, entire movements are rising, claiming to embrace “freedom” while they worship the powers of darkness.

  
  

• World Economic Forum and globalist agendas: There's a growing push for global control over economies, politics, and even religion. The World Economic Forum (WEF) promotes ideas like the Great Reset, advocating for a radical overhaul of the global financial system, pushing for a cashless society, and the centralization of power in the hands of a few. While some of these ideas might sound reasonable on the surface, they can be the building blocks of a one-world government and economy, which the Bible warns about in the book of Revelation. Revelation 13 speaks of a coming global leader (the Antichrist) who will control buying and selling, and the signs of this system are becoming more apparent.

  
  

• Christianity being banned in the West: In many parts of the West, Christian values are being pushed out of the public square. In Europe and parts of North America, there’s a growing intolerance for Christianity. Laws are being passed that restrict Christians from publicly sharing their faith, and those who stand for biblical truths are being persecuted. The culture has become so hostile toward Christianity that it’s starting to feel like we’re being silenced.

  
  

• Abortions, violence, and societal breakdown: The moral fabric of society continues to unravel. Laws that allow for the killing of unborn babies are being passed in more nations. Violence, sexual immorality, and hatred are becoming rampant, and the sanctity of life is no longer respected. As the world descends into chaos, many are turning their backs on God and embracing lawlessness.

  
  

In Revelation 9:21, it says that during the tribulation period, people will refuse to repent of their wicked deeds. This kind of moral depravity, seen on a global scale, is a sure sign that we are living in the last days.

The Hour is Late, and We Need to Wake Up

So, where does this leave us? Let’s not sugarcoat it—this is serious. We are living in the end times, and Jesus could return at any moment. Are we ready?

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins. Five were wise and ready for the bridegroom, but five were foolish and missed the moment. The door was shut, and it was too late. This is the reality of the situation. We have to be ready. We can’t wait until the last minute.

Time’s ticking down. The clock is counting down to zero, and we don't know when the buzzer will sound. So, let’s get serious about our faith, about living for Christ, and about spreading the Gospel to a world that desperately needs it.

Conclusion

The question isn’t “If Jesus will return.” The question is “When?” We don’t know when, but we do know this: It’s coming. And it’s coming soon.

So, ask yourself: What time is it? Time’s up, my friend. The clock is running out. It’s time to get right with God. It’s time to live for Christ. It’s time to stop playing games and start living in the reality that Jesus is coming soon!

Prayer

Father God, we come before You today with open hearts, ready to hear the call. We know that the time is near, and we want to be ready. Help us to live with urgency, to share Your Gospel, and to be faithful servants. Forgive us for the times we’ve been distracted, complacent, or lazy in our faith. Stir our hearts, wake us up, and empower us to live boldly for You. We long for Your return, Lord Jesus. We thank You for Your grace and for Your promises. May we be found ready when You come. In Jesus' name, amen.

Let’s live like we believe it. The time is now. Time’s up!