As I read today's news reports about China and the European Union, I recalled some things Jesus said about the signs of the end-times. Jesus said:

But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near (Luke 21: 28 New American Standard Bible).

Yet, that wasn't all Jesus had to say about this. Only a few verses later He also said:

Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place (Luke 21:32)

Jesus said we're to lift up our heads when we see these things begin to take place. And, this naturally brings us to the question: What things?

Here we can easily go wrong. Since our subject is Bible prophecy, the things Jesus wanted us to watch for are the fulfillment of the end-times prophecies. And Jesus' words imply there is an event that will signal the beginning of their fulfillment. 

I think this first event is revealed in the 12th chapter of the book of Revelation. And, I believe this event is the sudden appearance of the woman -- the rebirth of the nation Israel. You see, at the time Revelation was written in 95 AD, Israel no longer existed as a nation and the temple had been destroyed. So, in chapter 12 we learn about the mother of all end-times signs, the rebirth of Israel. And I believe when this event occurs, all the other signs of prophecy will soon follow. The Apostle John wrote:

And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and pain to give birth (Revelation 1:1-2).

However, there is another sign we are to watch for. John continued:

Then another sign appeared in heaven, and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads where seven diadems (Revelation 12:3).

This great dragon represents Satan and the seven Gentile kingdoms he has, and will, use against Israel and God's people. And, it is commonly believed the seventh head of this dragon will be a revival of the old Roman Empire under 10 kings -- which is the meaning of the 10 horns.

Here's my point: In today's news we read about China sending their first astronauts into space (Read about it here). In our next story we learn how China is seeing what's going on in this new, super EU for what it actually is, the rebirth of the old Roman Empire (Read about it here).

What am I saying? Not only have we already seen the first great sign of end-times prophecy of the woman -- the rebirth of Israel, now we're seeing the second great sign of the dragon -- the revival of the Roman Empire.

In other words, it's not only time to look up, it's past time to look up.

Stay tuned!