How close are we untill the Lord returns?

There have been many many predictions of the return of Jesus over the past 2000 years. And, of course, all of them have been wrong. Dates have come and gone and believers have been disappointed time and time again. Unfortunately, many believers have become jaded when it comes to end times. They are sick of getting their hopes up only to see them crushed. Many just shrug and decide that no one will know and we should stop watching and expecting.  But that actually isn't very Biblical. The Lord told us multiple times to stay awake, watch, and pray. A simple search for the word, "watch" produces 40 results in the New Testament.  I would even go so far as to say that those believers who've given up and are laughing at believers who are still watching are fulfilling end times prophecy themselves.

Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation 2 Peter 3:3-4

I've been looking for Jesus to return since I got saved 25 years ago. Yes, I've been disappointed in many dates, but it has only increased my fervor to keep watch. Why? Because I know that one of these days, HE will come, and as more time passes, that day is approaching.

I believe most people who are truly filled with and led by the Holy Spirit will have some inkling as to that approaching day. We may not know the exact day, but we will sense it is close. The excitement of the Holy Spirit will spill over into our spirits. How can it not?  It is our minds and emotions we must keep in check for they can run wild with speculations and calculations that are inaccurate.

So, what do we do?  I say, let's go to Someone who knows everything and who never lies. Jesus, Himself. Here's what He said in Matthew 24:32-34

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place." Matt 24:32-34

Jesus told us the exact timing of His return. When the "fig tree" starts to put on leaves, that generation that is alive at that time will not die off before He returns.

Ask any Biblical scholar what the fig tree represents, and they will say Israel. But just in case you need proof, I searched the Scriptures.  Israel is often referred to by God as a fig tree

“I found Israel
Like grapes in the wilderness;
I saw your fathers
As the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season." Hosea 9:10

Jeremiah received the vision of two baskets of figs, which represented Israel: 
"Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah" (Jer. 24:5).

For a nation has come up against My land,
Strong, and without number;
His teeth are the teeth of a lion,
And he has the fangs of a fierce lion.
 He has laid waste My vine,
And ruined My fig tree;
He has stripped it bare and thrown it away;
Its branches are made white. Joel 1:6-7

And from Jesus, Himself
And seeing a fig tree by the road, He (Jesus) came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away. Matt 21:19

When Jesus cursed this fig tree, it was only days before his crucifixion and the day after he entered Jerusalem on a donkey. 

He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’  But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.  And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ Luke 13:6-9

So, if Israel is the fig tree, when did it start putting on leaves? Anyone who knows history knows that Israel did not exist as a nation from 70AD to 1948, when they declared statehood. Hence, the fig tree started putting on leaves in 1948. 70 years ago. 

70. Hmm. where have I heard that number before?  Oh yes, Jesus predicted that the temple in Jerusalem would be completely destroyed, with not one stone still standing. And that happened within that generation in 70 AD.  Also Israel spent 70 years in captivity in Babylon for their sins. 70 is an important number to God. I encourage you to do a search on "seventy" in the entire Bible. 

In Psalm 90:10, we are told 
The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

Strange that it uses the term "fly away". 

What am I saying?  I'm saying we are 70 years into the generation that has witnessed the budding of the fig tree. What is a generation? Psalms 90 seems to say it is 70-80 years. The current lifespan of Americans is 78.7 years. Do you think God wouldn't have known how long we would live in this generation? 

So, taken all together, and from the lips of Jesus, Himself, we are within 10 years of seeing His return. If that doesn't get you excited, you'd better make sure you really know Him. 

Then if you add to that, current world events

• Star of Bethlehem appeared in the sky in 2015. A sign?
• The September 23rd, Revelation 12 sign in 2017
• 4 Blood moon tetrads that occurred on Israeli feast days
• Great solar eclipse that crossed America in 2017
• Trump moving US embassy to Jerusalem, announcing to the world, it is Israel's capital. (Jerusalem will be a stumbling block for the nations in the end. Zechariah 12:3)
• Kushner peace deal that is about to be made  (Daniel 9:27)

Then add to that....

• Earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, pestilences
• Christian persecution higher than ever
• LBGTQ (Sodom and Gomorrah)
• Cults, False messiahs, Apostasy
• Hatred, violence, riots
• Signs in the heavens (see above)
• Mark of the Beast chip
• Robots/ Big Brother/ Spying/
• Corruption at every level of government - Socialism in the rise
• Rise of global government (most of which is hidden behind the scenes)
• Wars and rumors of wars
• Massive deception via education and news media

   
I'm not out to depress you. Quite the opposite! I want you to see where we are in the ultimate plan of God. I want you to see for yourself how close we are!  Don't take my word for it. Take it from Jesus, Himself. This generation will not pass away until ALL these things take place" 

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thess 4:17-18