Jesus continues to speak of the end of the age. He says "There will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now - and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened."

Before Jesus returns, the earth WILL experience trouble - extreme trouble. There is one response to trouble that "trumps" all other responses and that response is this: REPENTANCE. When troubles come, we need to turn (or return) to God. It would be uncharacteristic of God to send Jesus back to the earth without Him also providing us with "warning" signs to let us know how near that day was. St. Peter wrote that God is "slow" in order to give opportunity for more people to come to repentance.

Again, we hear of false Christs and false prophets who will perform great signs and miracles. These are meant to deceive many - even the elect if that were possible. But Jesus tells us that when he returns, he will be visible to all. Therefore, there is no need for us to head out to where someone claims he is. He is not there. No one will be in doubt when he returns. We will know.