The tagline of the real deal states: ‘To know where you are going, you must first know where you are.’

Today’s post is an update to the first article in this series that was first published October 18, 2018. We will periodically examine where we are in relation to the signs of the times as revealed by Jesus himself in Matthew 24.
There are two great eschatological narratives in the Bible- in the books of Daniel and Revelation. I lack the vision and understanding to properly- as do most who undertake such an attempt- interpret the meaning of the symbolism and descriptions. They are very detailed revelations, describing physical events, people, and things. They are open to rampant interpretation and speculation.
Matthew 24 is a spiritual overview, with highlights on important touchstone spiritual events. Anyone with ‘eyes to see and ears to hear’ and is seeking Truth, can understand Matthew 24:

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

Without going into too much detail- as literally hundreds of examples could be given- survey the spiritual landscape today: It is littered with pedophile scandals, private jets, palatial homes and “churches”, prosperity gospel, mysticism, and all manner of concessions to wordly customs and popular beliefs. The new morality is the old immorality and preaching has become a sitcom. There are a lot of con artists saying “Lo here”.
Update 1-12-21: I haven’t seen proof of any improvement. I do see increased capitulation to protect 501c3
Status: Nearly fulfilled
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:…
As of 9-30-18:
Africa: 253 wars in 29 countries
Asia: 176 wars in 16 countries
Europe: 82 wars in 10 countries
Middle East: 259 wars in 7 countries
Americas: 30 wars in 7 countries
Total: 807 wars in 69 countries. Did you have any idea?
Update 1-12-2021:
Africa: 270 in 30 countries +17- +1
Asia: 186 in 16 countries +10 even
Europe: 83 in 10 countries +1 even
Middle East: 261 in 7 countries +2 even
Americas: 32 in 7 countries +2 even
Total: 832 wars +25; 70 countries +1
Status: Being fulfilled
…and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Famines: Currently, famines are being experienced in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Unity State, and Yemen. There are 50,000 known children deaths. It is not known how many adults have died. Several areas are suspected of experiencing current famine or at-risk including North Korea, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, and several smaller regions of Africa and Asia.
Update 1-12-21:
Famines: Currently, famines are being experienced in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Unity State, and Yemen. There are 85,000 known children deaths. It is not known how many adults have died. Several areas are suspected of experiencing current famine or at-risk including North Korea, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, and several smaller regions of Africa and Asia.
Total: +35,000 children deaths in Yemen; there has been no reports from any of the other countries or reports of adult deaths. Further research is needed, but there is no formula that would reduce this number.
Pestilences: This is a topic that could be written on extensively. For the purposes of this post, a brief summary should include Lassa fever, the opioid epidemic, influenza, and various regional outbreaks. Today’s worldwide travel networks have exponentially increased the probability of a global pandemic/epidemic occurring at any time with rapid transmission rates. It is beginning to be revealed by healthcare scientists that anti-biotics are experiencing a drastic loss in effectiveness. Male fertility is declining rapidly, particularly in the West.
Update 1-12-21:
Covid-19. Enough said.

Earthquakes: A couple of interesting quotes from the research- “Large earthquakes greater than 8.0 in magnitude have struck the Earth at a record high rate since 2004 but scientists have analyzed the historical record and found that the increase in seismic activity was likely due to mere chance.” and “In the past 44 years, from 1973 through 2017, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes only 11 times, in 1976, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2016.“
Notice a trend?
Update 1-12-21: Earthquake activity experienced a decrease in most categories, except for smaller quakes. It is expected this was due to decreased solar activity. However, earthquakes are still on the increase in areas that are not usually known for experiencing earthquakes.
Status: Being fulfilled
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
All across the globe, a silent war on Christians is underway. From outright slaughter, as in China, the Middle East, and Indonesia- to more subtle persecutions in various stages. In Europe, Christianity is being purged. The values and beliefs of Christians are being attacked, belittled, and marginalized in the US, Canada, and Australia. Every possible belief, doctrine, and theory that is at variance with Christianity is promoted as progressive, enlightened, and tolerant while obeying God is ignorant, backwards, and bigoted.
Update 1-12-21: There has been no improvement in this category. If some great revival has occurred, I missed it.
Status: Nearly fulfilled
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
America is in the throes of this right now. So is everybody else. This one is well underway.
Update 1-12-21: I DARE somebody to tell me this has improved.
Status: Being fulfilled
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Look around. You can also read this article I wrote on the topic.
Update 1-12-21: Love is disappearing from our world. It is being replaced by envy, lust, jealousy, and materialism. Prove me wrong.
 Status: Fulfilled
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
There’s several countries that have banned Christianity, mostly in the Muslim world and China, but a little invention called the internet has opened a lot of doors. This one is definitely coming to pass.
Update 1-12-21: This one has been fulfilled. Now it is going the other way.
Status: Fulfilled
Estimated time left: <18 years*
1-12-21 update: <15 years*
Still to come: the Abomination of Desolation stands in the holy place (15); the day of flight (16-20); Great tribulation (21-22); powerful and charismatic deceivers and sophisticated frauds (23-27); vigilance is required (32-51).
Update 1-12-21: the text in bold is now underway and will be included in the next update
*estimate is based upon geopolitical and current events, natural science, Biblical prophecy, and personal opinion. No man knows the day or hour.
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