Episode Summary: “Deception. Wars. Earthquakes.”

Podcast: Rick Renner Podcast (Audio)
Host: Rick Renner (Rick Renner Ministries)
Date: January 13, 2026

Main Theme

This episode is part of Rick Renner’s series, “How Close Are We to the End of the Age?”, which explores Jesus’ prophetic teachings in Matthew 24 concerning the signs that indicate the nearness of the end times. Renner delves deeply into the biblical prophecies, focusing particularly on the theme of increasing worldwide persecution against Christians as one of the clearest markers of the coming end of the age.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Understanding the Timeline

• Reference: Matthew 24:3
  • Renner recounts Jesus’ discourse with his disciples on the Mount of Olives, where they ask about the sign of His coming and “the end of the world.”
  • He encourages listeners to revisit previous teachings for a thorough breakdown of this foundational verse.
  • Quote (01:58):

    “They asked for a sign, but they were privately with Jesus. And when you get along with Jesus, he'll answer your one question and he'll tell you other things as well.”

  • Jesus provides a series of signs rather than only one, which include deception, wars, famines, pestilence, and signs from heaven (cf. Matthew 24:4-7).

2. The Birth Pains Analogy

• Reference: Matthew 24:8—“beginning of sorrows”
  • The Greek word "odin" is highlighted, which refers to birth pains, likening end time events to contractions that intensify and quicken as the end approaches.
  • Renner illustrates with a personal story about his wife Denise’s experience with birth contractions to explain how events will accelerate and become more severe.
  • Quote (06:50):

    "She wasn't even really sure she had a birth pain… But it wasn't long until she wasn't guessing any longer… until finally it was one contraction on top of the next, on top of the next."

  • Key Point: Current global crises are birth pains "piling up," just as prophesied.

3. Clarifying the Timeline – The Last Days and the Age of Grace

• From the cross (A.D. 33) and Pentecost to the present is called “the last days”—a 2000-year Church Age or Age of Grace.
• The Rapture is presented as the next prophetic event:
  • “The rapture is not a fantasy. It's really going to take place… Jesus is going to come into the clouds… he's going to snatch those who belong to him and take them to heaven for the marriage feast of the Lamb and for the Bema, judgment seat of Christ.” (09:05)
• Following the rapture: seven years of tribulation, culminating in the Second Coming and 1000-year millennial reign.

4. The Outpouring of the Spirit & End-Time Signs

• Renner quotes Acts 2:14-21, connecting Pentecost (“the last days”) with end-time events:
  • Prophecy, visions, dreams, and “wonders in heaven… signs in earth beneath… before that great and notable day of the Lord.”
  • Tribulation is identified as “the great day of the Lord.”

5. Sign #15: Worldwide Persecution (13:41)

The Reality of Modern Persecution

• “Right now, more than 200 million Christians are suffering to some degree for their faith.”
• Only a small fraction of the world is free from Christian persecution.
• Types of persecution: harassment, pressure, violence, even death—implemented by governments, communities, and terrorist groups.
• Renner cites US Department of State statistics: in more than 60 countries, Christians face persecution.

Biblical Terms and What They Reveal

• Afflicted (thlipsis):
  • “A heavy pressure situation… It was first used to describe an act of torture… to crush him.” (15:18)
• Killed (apokteno):
  • “Describes butchery… to slaughter, massacre, butcher, to ruthlessly kill, or to torture.” (17:35)
• Hated (miseo):
  • “Hate. It means to abhor… a dangerous, deep-seated aversion.” (18:35)
• Offended (scandalizo):
  • “Where we get the word for a scandal… at the end of the age, the lost world will become so negative about Christians that they will find Christians to be objectionable and even scandalous.” (19:15)
• Betray (paradidomi):
  • “To hand over or deliver… weaponizing of the legal system at the very end of the age.” (20:20)

Practical Call to Prayer and Action

• Urges listeners to pray and support persecuted Christians worldwide.
  • “We've got to pray fervently for our brothers and sisters in Christ that are in jeopardy. We've got to do everything we can that is possible to help them.” (21:07)
• “Jesus said it's going to come to the whole world at the end of the age.” (21:28)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Tightening Birth Pains:

  “Events that happen every day now used to occur once in a while… now there are so many happening simultaneously, people are nearly numb to how earth-shattering these events are.” (08:34)

• On Affliction:

  “It pictures affliction, tribulation, trouble, great pressure, crushing pressure, suffocating pressure, a horribly tight, life-threatening squeeze." (15:55)

• On Being Hated:

  "They won't just dislike them, there will actually be a hatred that brews in society against Christians all over the world at the end of the age.” (18:52)

• On Offense and Scandal:

  "How dare you say Jesus is the only way? How dare you say there is only one gender. How dare you be so bigoted and narrow-minded… they will find Christians simply to be scandalous.” (19:30)

• Encouragement to Stand Firm:

  “This is going to be your opportunity to speak of Jesus… I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.” (20:50, referencing Luke 21:14-15)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:01 – 04:00: Introduction, recap of series and foundational verse (Matthew 24:3)
• 05:00 – 10:00: Prophetic timeline from Cross to Rapture, explanation of “birth pains”
• 10:00 – 13:40: Acts 2, the Last Days, coming tribulation
• 13:41 – 21:00: Sign #15: Worldwide Persecution, Greek word studies, scope of global persecution, call to prayer/action
• 21:51: Brief ad for related resources (SKIP for content)
• 23:12 – 27:25: Closing encouragement, practical steps for intercession, concluding prayers and scriptural promise (Hebrews 13:3, Ecclesiastes 8:4)

Tone and Style

Rick Renner’s delivery is pastoral, earnest, and engaging—blending deep scriptural insight with practical encouragement and personal anecdotes. He frequently encourages listeners to deepen their study, pray, and tangibly support persecuted fellow believers.

Key Takeaways for Listeners

• We are living in the escalating phase of “birth pains”—contractions—prophesied by Jesus in Matthew 24.
• Waves of persecution against Christians are one of the main signs that the end of the age is approaching.
• Suffering ranges from legal pressure to outright violence and death, and is already at a global scale, affecting more than 200 million believers.
• Jesus foretold not just opposition, but actual hatred, betrayal, and scandalization of Christian beliefs, tied to specific Greek terms loaded with meaning.
• Believers are called to pray, support, and not ignore those suffering for their faith, and to remain steadfast even if and when persecution comes to their own doorstep.

Closing Blessing

“We thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit that gives us courage to face our times. In Jesus name, Amen.” (26:20)

For further study: Rick Renner’s book Signs You’ll See Just Before Jesus Comes and his 10-part series are available at renner.org. He also offers a downloadable End Times timeline for deeper prophetic understanding.