# Signs of the Times Ellen White wrote extensively about the signs of the times, teaching that we are living in the final period of earth's history. She declared that "the signs of the times declare that we are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events" (
Ev 703.3), and emphasized that these signs should awaken us to the nearness of Christ's return. ## Biblical Signs in Nature Ellen White pointed to the specific signs Jesus prophesied in Scripture. She wrote that "there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations" (
LDE 19), and that those who behold these harbingers of Christ's coming are to "know that it is near, even at the doors" (
LDE 19). She used the illustration of nature to help us understand: "When the trees put forth their leaves in the spring, we know that summer is near. Just so surely, when the signs appear in the sun and the moon and the stars, we are to know that Christ's coming is near" (
SJ 176.2). ## Signs in World Events Beyond celestial signs, Ellen White identified numerous earthly indicators. She referenced Christ's prophecy: "Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars.... Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places" (
Ev 703.3). She observed that "rulers and statesmen recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place—that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis" (
SS 278.3). ## Increasing Calamities Ellen White saw the multiplication of disasters as a sign of the times. She noted that "the passing days are eventful and full of peril. Signs of a most startling character appear in floods, in hurricanes, in tornadoes, in earthquakes, in casualties by sea and land" (SW March 1, 1909, par. 2).
She taught that "the judgments of God are falling on the world, that men may be awakened to the fact that Christ will come speedily" (SW March 1, 1909, par. 2). ## Spiritual Withdrawal A particularly sobering sign Ellen White identified was the withdrawal of God's Spirit. She warned that "the Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God" (
3TT 280). She emphasized that "the signs of the times are ominous. Coming events cast their shadows before. The Spirit of God is withdrawing from the earth, and calamity follows calamity" (
HLv 427.4). ## The Church's Response Despite these clear signs, Ellen White observed a troubling reality: "The signs of the times are fulfilling in our world, yet the churches generally are represented as slumbering" (
15MR 229.1). She used the parable of the ten virgins to warn against spiritual unpreparedness, reminding us that when Christ comes, it will be too late for those who have not prepared. ## The Urgency of Our Time Ellen White's counsel was clear about the urgency of our era. Writing from Europe in 1886, she observed: "The signs of the times tell us we are surely in the last days... Things are rapidly developing. All are ranging under their respective banners; all are preparing for some great event; all are watching for the morning" (
8MR 105.1).
She declared that "we are living in the time of the end. The fast-fulfilling signs of the times declare that the coming of Christ is near at hand" (
3TT 280). The cumulative message of these signs is unmistakable: Christ's return is imminent, and we must be spiritually prepared. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:**
• What did Ellen White say about how we should prepare for Christ's coming?
• How did she describe the final events before the close of probation?
• What counsel did she give about maintaining faith during the time of trouble? --- 📚 **thousands of passages found** containing these search terms — [Explore in Full-Text Search](/advanced-search?q=Signs+of+the+time)
Ellen Chat