Each year brings the world closer to the end of the age Jesus described.

Why Matthew 24 Makes Sense Now: Wars, Famines, Pestilences, Deception, and Earth-Shaking Events

By Evangelist Peter Gee, Editor-in-Chief, Christianity News Daily
| 2026 Biblical & Prophetic Outlook

As the world moves into 2026, Christianity News Daily presents this comprehensive, Scripture-centered analysis to prepare believers for the times ahead—not with fear, speculation, or sensationalism, but with clarity rooted in the words of Jesus Christ Himself.

Jesus warned His followers so they would not be alarmed, confused, or deceived when global conditions deteriorate, and spiritual pressures intensify. The Olivet Discourse—recorded most clearly in Matthew 24—was given as a guide for discernment, endurance, and faithfulness as history approaches its appointed conclusion.

Each year brings the world closer to the end of the age Jesus described. The events unfolding around us are not random; they are converging exactly within the categories Christ identified. Christianity News Daily exists to help readers recognize these patterns so they are not taken by surprise when they accelerate.

The Five Foundational Signs Jesus Identified

In Matthew 24, Jesus outlined five recurring, escalating realities that would characterize the period leading up to the end of the age. These are not single events, nor are they meant to inspire date-setting. Jesus compared them to birth pains—growing in frequency and intensity as the moment of fulfillment draws nearer.

The five signs are:

1. Wars and rumors of wars
2. Famines
3. Pestilences (diseases)
4. Earthquakes in various places (along with the wider shaking of creation)
5. Deception and false christs

Understanding these signs is essential to understanding why the world of 2026 looks the way it does—and why Scripture says it will not improve before Christ returns.

Wars and Rumors of Wars: A World Conditioned for Conflict

Jesus said plainly, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars… nation will rise against nation.” He did not describe temporary conflict, but a persistent global condition in which war becomes expected and instability becomes normal.

As 2025 closed and 2026 began, the world continued to witness:

• The prolonged Russia–Ukraine war, now deeply embedded in global politics, energy markets, and military alliances
• Ongoing tensions involving Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah, with regional conflicts repeatedly threatening wider escalation
• Persistent warnings and military activity involving China and Taiwan, including large-scale drills and displays of force
• A global increase in defense spending, weapons development, and geopolitical posturing

Jesus warned believers not to be alarmed by these things. War, in biblical prophecy, is not a sign that God has lost control—it is a sign that history is unfolding exactly as He said it would.

Famines: When Provision Becomes Fragile

Jesus specifically named famines, a word that must not be softened or ignored. Famines are not limited to images of starvation alone; they describe a broader breakdown in food security, access, affordability, and stability.

In the modern world, famine increasingly appears through:

• Severe droughts that reduce harvests
• Catastrophic flooding that destroys crops and infrastructure
• War zones that turn farmland into battlegrounds
• Economic collapse and inflation that make food unaffordable
• Supply-chain disruptions that prevent food from reaching those who need it

Across multiple regions in 2025, humanitarian organizations warned of rising hunger due to conflict, climate disasters, and economic stress. Food shortages may look different in wealthy nations than in poorer ones, but the biblical category remains the same: provision becomes uncertain.

Jesus’ inclusion of famines signals that basic necessities will increasingly fail to provide the sense of security humanity depends upon—driving people toward fear, desperation, and dependence on systems promising stability.

Pestilences: Lingering Disease in a Post-Pandemic World

Jesus also warned of pestilences, a term encompassing widespread disease, outbreaks, and long-term health crises. While the COVID-19 pandemic has faded from daily headlines, its impact has not vanished.

Millions worldwide continue to experience:

• Chronic health complications associated with prior infection
• Long-term respiratory, neurological, and cardiovascular effects
• Increased vulnerability to future outbreaks

Jesus did not indicate that pestilences would be brief or isolated. Rather, they are part of a pattern that stresses societies, burdens healthcare systems, disrupts economies, and heightens fear.

Pestilence serves a prophetic function: it reminds humanity how fragile life is and how quickly modern confidence can collapse.

Earthquakes and the Shaking of Creation

Jesus said there would be earthquakes in various places. Scripture also speaks elsewhere of creation groaning under the weight of the curse, awaiting redemption.

In recent years, the world has witnessed:

• Powerful earthquakes causing mass casualties
• Floods washing away entire communities
• Hurricanes and typhoons devastating coastal regions
• Tornadoes and extreme storms destroying infrastructure
• Landslides following heavy rains and seismic activity

Earthquakes often trigger secondary disasters—tsunamis, fires, flooding—creating cascading crises. While Jesus named earthquakes specifically, the broader biblical picture is one of a shaking world, both physically and socially.

These events are not merely environmental. They disrupt economies, displace populations, and deepen global instability—contributing to the very conditions Jesus warned would characterize the last days.

Deception and False Christs: The Greatest Threat to the Church

Of all the signs Jesus listed, deception received the strongest warning. “Take heed that no one deceives you,” He said. False christs and false prophets, He warned, would deceive many—and attempt to deceive even the elect.

In the modern era, deception rarely appears as a single individual claiming to be the Messiah. More often, it manifests as religious systems and movements that use the name of Jesus while denying His biblical identity and gospel.

This includes:

• Teachings that deny the deity of Christ
• Systems that replace salvation by grace with works, rituals, or membership
• Movements that redefine sin, repentance, and holiness
• Denominational loyalty elevated above loyalty to Christ and Scripture

Denominations themselves are not inherently false, but denominationalism—when identity, authority, or salvation is tied to an institution rather than Christ—can function as a counterfeit gospel. Scripture is clear: no system, tradition, or hierarchy can replace the new birth Jesus described.

Deception thrives in times of instability. When wars rage, food becomes scarce, diseases persist, and disasters strike, people become vulnerable to false assurances of peace, unity, and spiritual safety.

“The Beginning of Sorrows”: Why Acceleration Should Not Surprise Us

Jesus described these signs as “the beginning of sorrows”, a phrase drawn from the imagery of birth pains. Birth pains do not reverse; they intensify as delivery approaches.

This is why Christianity News Daily emphasizes preparation over panic. Scripture does not teach that the world will gradually improve before Christ returns. It teaches that pressure will increase—globally and spiritually—while the gospel advances simultaneously.

Acceleration should not shock believers. Jesus explicitly said it would happen.

The Direction of History: Toward a False Peace and a True King

Periods of global instability create a powerful longing for peace, order, and unity. Scripture warns that this longing will eventually be exploited by a future figure who promises peace while opposing the truth of Christ. The New Testament repeatedly cautions that such a figure will arise in a world weary of chaos and desperate for solutions.

At the same time, God the Father is working according to His own timetable—just as He prepared the first coming of His Son, sending Him into the world to redeem humanity through the cross. History is moving toward the second coming of Jesus Christ, when He will return not as a suffering servant, but as King.

The Central Focus of Matthew 24: The Gospel of the Kingdom

Amid all the shaking, Jesus highlighted one non-negotiable priority:

“This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

Wars do not end history. Famines do not end history. Pestilences and earthquakes do not end history. The completion of the global gospel witness does.

Even as many churches in the West compromise or decline, the gospel is advancing rapidly across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and underground networks in hostile nations. God is fulfilling Matthew 24:14 without delay.

How Believers Should Live in 2026

Christianity News Daily calls readers to respond to these realities biblically:

• Stay anchored in Scripture
• Test every teaching and spirit
• Refuse fear-driven Christianity
• Pursue holiness and endurance
• Strengthen genuine Christian fellowship
• Keep the gospel central

Jesus did not reveal these signs to frighten His people, but to steady them.

🎥 Featured Video: In-Depth Eschatology Teaching

To help readers fully grasp the events and spiritual realities described in this article, including the fulfillment of Matthew 24 and broader end-time prophecy, Christianity News Daily strongly recommends watching this two-hour biblical presentation by Evangelist Peter Gee.

This authoritative teaching, titled:

Differences Between the Rapture, the Day of the Lord, and the Second Coming
— hosted on Jesus Christ Only TV under The Everlasting Gospel Program, with deep theological insight rooted in Scripture, clarifies key distinctions in end-time events and provides the biblical framework necessary for understanding the times in which we live. The Living God+1

This teaching complements the themes of this article — including wars, famines, pestilences, deception, and the nearness of Christ’s return — by unpacking the nature of Christ’s coming(s), the timing of the Church’s deliverance, the Day of the Lord, and what believers should expect and prepare for in 2026 and beyond.

You can watch the full message here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmuoKd4h0bk

📜 Transcript Excerpt

Differences Between the Rapture, the Day of the Lord, and the Second Coming

The Everlasting Gospel Program | Jesus Christ Only TV
Taught by Evangelist Peter Gee, Editor-in-Chief, Christianity News Daily

“One of the greatest areas of confusion in the Church today concerns the end-time events Jesus Himself described—particularly the Rapture, the Day of the Lord, and the Second Coming. These are not the same event, and Scripture does not treat them as the same event.”

“In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus outlines the signs of the end of the age—wars and rumors of wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, deception, and falling away. These signs are not given so that believers panic, but so that they discern the times and remain faithful.”

“The Rapture concerns the catching away of the true Church. The Day of the Lord speaks of divine judgment upon a rebellious world. The Second Coming is the visible, bodily return of Jesus Christ to reign. When these events are collapsed into one moment, confusion replaces clarity.”

“Jesus warned repeatedly about deception. False christs, false gospels, and counterfeit Christianity would increase as the end approaches. Many would claim authority, power, and truth while denying the very gospel that saves.”

“Wars, famines, pestilences, and global instability do not signal that God has lost control. They signal that prophecy is unfolding exactly as written. These are birth pains—intensifying as history moves toward God’s appointed conclusion.”

“The central issue is readiness. Not speculation. Not date-setting. Readiness. Jesus said the one who endures to the end shall be saved. That endurance is rooted in truth, repentance, holiness, and faith in Christ alone.”

“The gospel of the Kingdom must be preached to all nations. That is the priority of heaven. When the Church loses sight of that mission, it becomes vulnerable to deception. When it holds fast to the gospel, it remains anchored—regardless of how dark the world becomes.”

📌 Why This Teaching Matters for 2026

This video is not merely supplemental — it serves as a comprehensive biblical foundation for key end-time concepts that intersect with this article’s focus on Matthew 24:

• Clarifying the Rapture — Its biblical basis, distinct nature, and timing relative to tribulation. The Living God
• Explaining the Day of the Lord — A period of divine judgment referenced throughout Scripture, including the prophets and New Testament writings. Wikipedia
• Defining the Second Coming — How Christ’s return to the earth in glory differs from other aspects of His return. Wikipedia
• Connecting Matthew 24 with broader eschatological context — giving readers a unified biblical timeline rather than isolated concepts. Wikipedia

Christianity News Daily encourages all readers who want deep, Scripture-anchored preparation for the days ahead to watch this presentation in full — not as optional commentary, but as essential spiritual equipping.

🛡️ Strengthening Your Understanding and Discernment

Because end-time teaching is often misunderstood or misrepresented, this detailed exposition by Evangelist Peter Gee offers:

• Careful Scriptural analysis of key prophetic passages
• Clear distinctions between closely related events
• Practical spiritual application for believers living in the season of Matthew 24 signs
• A holistic biblical framework for interpreting current world events in light of God’s Word

Christianity News Daily affirms the importance of this teaching not just for academic understanding, but for spiritual grounding, discernment, and readiness — precisely the posture the Lord calls believers to as the end of the age approaches.

Conclusion: Jesus Told Us So We Would Be Ready

Matthew 24 makes sense because Jesus told the truth.

Wars are increasing.
Famines are spreading.
Pestilences linger.
The earth shakes.
Deception multiplies.

None of this means the Church has failed. It means God’s Word is being fulfilled.

As 2026 unfolds, Christianity News Daily remains committed to preparing believers with biblical clarity—so when these things happen, they will not be shaken in faith, but strengthened in hope, watchful in spirit, and faithful to Christ until the end.

Editorial Closing | Christianity News Daily — 2026

As this new year unfolds, Christianity News Daily remains committed to helping believers discern the times without fear and without compromise. The signs Jesus described in Matthew 24 are not given to sensationalize world events, but to steady the hearts of those who belong to Him.

Wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, deception, and global shaking are not evidence that God has lost control. They are evidence that His Word stands firm. Scripture does not call the Church to panic, retreat, or blend in with the spirit of the age. It calls believers to watchfulness, holiness, endurance, and faithfulness.

The purpose of prophecy is not curiosity—it is preparation. The closer the world moves toward the end of the age, the more urgent it becomes to anchor one’s life in truth, to reject deception, and to remain loyal to Jesus Christ alone.

Christianity News Daily will continue to report, teach, and warn from a biblical foundation—so that readers are not caught off guard by events Scripture already foretold, and so that Christ remains central in every conversation about the future.

A Call to Salvation and Reconciliation With God

The most important question for 2026 is not geopolitical, economic, or technological. It is spiritual:

Are you right with God?

The Bible declares that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, and that no one can save themselves through religion, good works, or affiliation. Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone, who was sent by the Father, lived without sin, died for our sins, rose bodily from the dead, and will return again.

Scripture says:

“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9

If you have never truly repented and trusted in Christ, or if you have drifted away from the truth, now is the time. Not tomorrow. Not after the next crisis. Scripture says, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

A Prayer of Repentance and Faith

If this reflects the desire of your heart, you may pray:

Father God, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, that He died for my sins, and that You raised Him from the dead. I turn away from my sin and place my trust in Jesus alone for forgiveness and eternal life. Make me new, lead me by Your Spirit, and help me to follow Christ in truth and obedience. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Salvation is not found in repeating words, but in genuine repentance and faith in Christ. If you prayed sincerely, Scripture promises that God hears, forgives, and makes new.

An Invitation to Our Readers — 2026

As we enter 2026, Christianity News Daily invites readers to do more than observe events—we invite you to engage biblically and live faithfully.

We encourage you to:

• Stay rooted in Scripture daily
• Test every teaching against God’s Word
• Strengthen fellowship with biblically faithful believers
• Pray for discernment in a deceptive age
• Share the gospel of the Kingdom boldly and wisely

We also invite you to:

• Share this article with others who are seeking understanding
• Engage thoughtfully in the conversation through comments and discussion
• Subscribe to Christianity News Daily for continued biblical reporting and prophetic insight
• Pray for the global Church, especially believers facing persecution

As the end of the age draws nearer, the Church’s calling becomes clearer—not to blend in, but to stand firm.

Christianity News Daily will continue to sound that call.

“He who endures to the end shall be saved.”

About the Author

Evangelist Peter Gee is the Founder and General Overseer of The Uttermost Gospel Network (TUGN), a global Christian media, theological, and publishing organization devoted to proclaiming the pure and unchanging gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation. He serves as Editor-in-Chief and a regular contributor to Christianity News Daily, where his Scripture-centered analysis, prophetic insight, and in-depth biblical teaching call the global Church back to holiness, truth, and spiritual discernment.