Podcast Summary: "Shockwaves and the Second Coming"

Rick Renner Podcast (Audio)
Host: Rick Renner Ministries
Date: January 12, 2026

Overview

This episode of the Rick Renner Podcast delves into biblical prophecy regarding the end times, focusing on the signs Jesus gave His disciples as recorded in Matthew 24 and Luke 21. Rick Renner systematically unpacks these teachings, explaining the original Greek terms and the significance of each sign as it pertains to understanding where we are on the prophetic timeline. The discussion is rooted in scripture, aiming to equip listeners to discern "How Close Are We to the End?" by recognizing key events Jesus said would precede His return.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Disciples' Private Questions (Matthew 24:3)

• Context: Jesus and His disciples sit on the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem, and the disciples ask privately about signs of the end times.

• Renner's Emphasis: Private time with Jesus allows for deeper, more direct answers.

  “When you come to Jesus privately, you can ask things that you cannot ask when you're with a group. And when you're privately with the Lord, he's gonna say things to your heart and to your mind that he's not gonna say to you when you're with a lot of other people.”
  — Rick Renner, [02:33]

• The Disciples' Questions:

  • When will these things be? (Greek: pote – requesting exact timing)
  • What will be the sign? (Greek: ti – seeking minute details)
  • Of your coming? (Greek: parousia – not just presence, but authoritative arrival)
  • Of the end of the age? (Greek: sunteleia and aionos, meaning culmination of an age, not world’s physical end.)

Greek Words Unpacked

Rick Renner explores the Greek words to clarify the disciples’ questions:

• When (pote): Seeks precise timing, not a general period.

• What (ti): Desires detailed specifics.

• Sign (sēmeion): Prophetic markers or road signs indicating progress toward the climax.

• Coming (parousia): Technically used for the grand arrival of a king, suggesting a powerful intervention.

• End (sunteleia) of Age (aionos): Not the destruction of the world, but the wrapping up of a particular era.

  “This word parousia is really from the word per, which means alongside. And the word usia means to be present. You put the two words together, it describes the coming or the presence of the Lord.”
  — Rick Renner, [11:14]

Review of Signs Leading to the End

Previously Covered Signs (1–11)

• Worldwide deception
• Wars and rumors of wars
• National and ethnic unrest
• Economic woes
• Pestilence and epidemics

New Signs Discussed in This Episode (Signs 12, 13, 14)

1. Catastrophic Events / Seismic Activity

• Matthew 24:7 & Luke 21:11: Jesus foretells earthquakes.

• Greek: Seismos (where “seismograph” derives).

• Not limited to earthquakes—includes various seismic or geologic upheavals (volcanic, etc).

• Plural and “Great” in Greek: Megaloi seismoi signifies both increase in number and intensity worldwide.

  “In Luke's Gospel, Jesus said there would be great seismic activity as the time of his return approached. And we can infer from this scripture that great may mean great in quantity.”
  — Rick Renner, [16:17]

• Modern Parallels: USGS records millions of earthquakes yearly, many undetected but demonstrating increased global seismic activity.

2. Monstrous Developments / “Monsters”

• Luke 21:11: Jesus mentions “fearful sights.”

• Greek: Phobetron—more accurately, monstrous or scary abnormalities.

  • Used in ancient Greek for literal monsters or frightening creatures.
  • May also mean monstrous events, not just living beings.

  “The word phobetron described monsters. Monsters. That is a literal translation. Scary. Scary creatures that are abnormalities. It describes monstrous events. Scary events. Or again, it was used by the Greeks to describe monsters.”
  — Rick Renner, [18:24]

• Modern Application: Renner suggests some current cultural and technological phenomena could fit this description (biological alterations, AI fears, social changes).

3. Signs from the Heavens

• Jesus’ Statement: Great signs will appear “from heaven.”

• Greek: Apo—directly out of the skies/heavens.

• Speculation: Could refer to meteors, asteroids, or contemporary sightings of UFOs/UAPs; the key point is public fixation on unexplained phenomena in the sky.

  “Jesus said when you come to the very, very end of the age, there's going to be the appearance of monsters and people are going to be fixated with things coming down out of the heavens.”
  — Rick Renner, [19:54]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Reading Greek for Deeper Understanding:

  “I hope you enjoy having all these Greek words.”
  — Rick Renner, [13:33]

• On Jesus’ Intent:

  “Father, I thank youk that yout are not in the business of scaring us, but yout love us so much that yout are in the business of preparing us. And Lord Jesus, we thank youk that yout gave us these signs so we will see where we are on the prophetic road to the end of the age.”
  — Rick Renner, [24:27]

• Emphasizing Discernment:

  “We need to know where we are prophetically, in time. ... Jesus said, when this happens, you'll know you've come to the very close of the age.”
  — Rick Renner, [20:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | | ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | | 00:38 | Introduction/Subtext: Importance of biblical prophecy | | 02:33 | The power of private questions and prayer | | 06:00 | The disciples’ specific questions, Greek word study | | 10:20 | Meaning of “parousia” and its significance | | 13:33 | Meaning of “sunteleia” (culmination) and “aionos” | | 15:30 | Review of previous signs and segue to new signs | | 16:17 | Earthquakes and seismic activity interpreted | | 18:24 | “Phobetron”—Monstrous events/monsters | | 19:54 | Signs "from the heavens"—possible interpretations | | 20:00 | Renner’s summary on the signs and their modern parallels| | 24:27 | Prayer and assurance: Preparation, not fear |

Conclusion

Rick Renner emphasizes that recognizing these prophetic signs—seismic upheaval, monstrous events, and celestial phenomena—should not incite fear among believers, but rather prepare and embolden them to understand prophetic times. By examining the Greek text closely, he clarifies common misunderstandings and empowers listeners to track where we are on the biblical timeline. All listeners are encouraged to remain prayerful, vigilant, and rooted in scripture as world events unfold.

Recommended Next Listen: Tomorrow’s episode will continue with further end-times signs and deeper scriptural exploration.