Recently, a writer commented on the "signs of the times" with a quote from Daniel 12:4, saying knowledge shall increase to and fro. The writer offered science, technology, medicine and computers as proof that these signs were being fulfilled today.

Certainly there is an increase in knowledge across the board for each of the above categories. The question we must answer is, do they qualify as signs of the times? For a sign to be a sign, it must "signify" its meaning in the time specified for the event or it is not a sign at all. This is where the above signs fail.

In the context of Daniel 12, reference is made to the time of the end and the great tribulation. Verse one states it would be a time of trouble unparalleled in ancient Israel's history.

That this prophecy is time specific is clearly shown by Christ's use of it in Matthew 24:21, where he quotes directly from Daniel. Christ does offer signs for the time of the end, but not one fits the categories listed above.

He mentions earthquakes, pestilences, famines, false christs, apostasy, the abomination of desolation, worldwide evangelism, the great tribulation and the ultimate sign of Jerusalem's fall to the Romans in 70 AD, all indicators of the nearness and arrival of his second presence (parousia).

Now all of the signs Christ announces fall within the parameters of his very own generation. He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away will all these things take place." (Matthew 24:34).

So not only are the above items (science, technology, medicine and computer advancements), not a sign of the end time, they are all far removed from the eschatological setting for the signs given in the text.

In like manner, the apostles all spoke of signs of the "time of the end in their writings. Paul spoke of the persecution of the both the Philippians (1:28) and the Thessalonicans, (2 Thessalonians 1:5). These are both contemporary signs in the first century.

Add to those the coming of the man of sin and the great apostasy of 2 Thessalonians 2:3. See 2 Peter 2:1-2 on false teachers as a sign of their impending judgment. Scoffers are alluded to by both Peter and Jude, 2 Peter 3:1; Jude 18.

John cites the anticrists and positive proof the last hour had arrived. The book of Revelation is a book of signs given to warn its recipients of events which were at hand and shortly to come to pass, (Revelation 1:1-3). Revelation, Daniel and Matthew 24, all speak of the same event, namely, the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Knowledge did increase as the Holy Spirit brought to the minds of the apostles things Christ taught them during his ministry and He also showed them things to come. This they taught to the world in the gospel of Christ. So, let's keep the signs within their context, otherwise we'll be headed in the wrong direction.