It comes from the ancient Greek word ἀποκάλυψις and is known to modern man as the apocalypse, which means there will be an unearthing or an uncovering of the truth. For those who have an intimate knowledge of the Book of Revelations, and who watched films depicting the end of times, many await to witness the final battle of the age. But there is plenty of assumption between these pages on when this war will begin. Some believe it's happening now, while others believe it's a tale of Hollywood fiction. Regardless, the topic is shrouded in inscrutability and scholars continue to deliberate its projection. Then there is the symbolism in the book and this typology can be seen with the usage of the number 7 as it is listed 54 times in Revelations and used 735 times in the Bible overall. Some believe it's the number of completeness, perfection and of fullness like the divine ordering of the world. This could mean completion of life and the final arrival of Christ, but again it's a puzzle. Jesus spoke of His second coming, but also affirmed that no one would know the day. Whether it's symbolism of the number 7, or assuming we have the end times figured out, believers need to harken to the voice of God and live like the apocalypse is approaching. Whatever the circumstance, and whatever you believe about this troubling time, keep your mind open. Consider 6 clues that the apocalypse near.

Our love has grown cold.

The Bible states that most our love will grow cold toward God. This is considered a sign that we are living in the last days. In America alone, we've become secularized, paganized and full of hatred. A Pew Report indicated that there is an increase of more Americans not associated with a religion, and they are embracing more secular culture forms found throughout Europe. Christianity is being targeted and Jesus said that the destruction of society is imminent when our hearts grow cold towards God. Secularism takes our religious independence away when we can't pray or read the Bible during lunch time. It's destroying the religious freedoms of our country and hides behind the lies of liberation and equality.

Natural disasters.

In Matthew 24:6-7, Christ shared that “There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” There is no doubt, the world is not in a healthy state. Not every earthquake or uptick in famine can be construed as being a sign, and yet, we know it could be a precursor to His arrival. The Public Religion Research Institute and the American Academy of Religion reported that 49 percent of Americans believe that severe natural disasters are evidence of the Biblical end times, 52 percent of Republicans versus 48 percent of Democrats believe this is the case. The Bible warned: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. The nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” Maybe God is giving us more time as the Bible also states that the Word needs to be preached to the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Greed.

Paul said we will become lovers of self, lovers of money and lovers of pleasure. But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. People will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good and treacherous. Being a people of greed rather than a lover of God and His Kingdom is a sign of the end times and all we have to do is look at the news of how lukewarm we've become as Christians.

The rise of the Jewish State.

In Ezekiel 36:24, we find the promise God made to the Jewish people to finally have their own land. “For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.” Evangelical Christians believe that the nation of Israel will play a central role in the unfolding of end-times events, especially after it was predicted in the Bible that they would become a nation after 19,000 years. The modern day Israel is being viewed a major player during the last days.

The persecution of Christians.

Animosity towards Christianity reportedly reached record numbers in 2014, according to Open Doors USA. China reached a 300 percent increase in abuses towards believers in 2014, and 322 Christians are killed monthly because of their faith. According to the Pew Research Center, over 75 percent of the world’s population lives in areas with severe religious restrictions. Also, according to the United States Department of State, Christians face persecution from the governments. God promises that He will be with us as we pass through the waters. "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer," Revelations 2:10 said. "The devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for 10 days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown."

The devil is alive and well.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms," the Bible warns. The devil knows his time is running short and he knows the game is almost over. We can see his work in the world today through the occult, violence, hate and jealousy. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him. "When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it,” it said according to John 8:44.

The Lord revealed to John what the apocalypse would be like and yet, we erroneously, believe that we have it figured out. Regardless, of when it happens all believers should ban together to be prepared for anything that is coming.