The Encounter Podcast with David Diga Hernandez

Episode Title: The Forgotten End Times Sign
Release Date: March 16, 2026
Host: David Diga Hernandez
Podcast: David Hernandez Ministries

Episode Overview

In this episode, David Diga Hernandez addresses the heightened global instability following recent events in the Middle East, specifically referencing Operation Epic Fury by the US and Israel. Drawing from both current events and biblical prophecy, Hernandez identifies a largely overlooked "forgotten sign" of the end times—the worldwide expansion of the Gospel. Urging listeners away from a fear-based, defeatist mindset, he re-centers the discussion on hope, victory, and the ever-advancing Kingdom of God.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Current Global Events and Spiritual Climate

Hernandez opens by recognizing the "intensification of spiritual activity" that many Christians currently sense due to world events, especially upheaval in the Middle East after Operation Epic Fury (airstrikes against Iran, killing the Ayatollah) (00:14).
Acknowledges fear and speculation about possible escalation to World War III or "the end of the world," but pivots to the importance of discerning spiritual implications rather than succumbing to panic.

2. Biblical Framework for End Times Signs

References Matthew 24, where Jesus outlines signs of the end times:
- "Many will come in my name, claiming I am the Messiah... and deceive many." (02:15)
- "You will hear of wars and threats of wars... but don't panic." (03:10)
- Hernandez stresses: "This is key, especially for these days... This isn't a reason to fear." (03:25)
- Reminds listeners: "God has not given you a spirit of fear, but one of power, of love, and of a sound mind." (01:30)

3. The Forgotten Sign: The Gospel to All Nations

Crucial insight: Jesus in Matthew 24:14—"And the good news about the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come." (06:55)
Hernandez laments that discussions typically focus on fear, chaos, and catastrophe, but not on this mark of victory: worldwide Gospel proclamation.
- "There's one sign of the end that many are missing and that the modern church seems to have forgotten altogether." (01:50)
"The sign of the end times is revival, not defeat; victory, not retreat." (12:10)

4. Kingdom Mindset—Victory and Expansion

Emphasizes that God's Kingdom is ever-expanding: "The kingdom of God expands in dominion. The kingdom of God expands in power. The kingdom of God expands in influence— in the culture, in our lives, in our families." (09:10)
Pushes back against "remnant" or victim mentalities within the church—"Does that sound like victory to you?" (10:25)
- Cites Matthew 16:18: "Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it." (11:04)
- Supports a focus on Kingdom growth over fear of societal collapse.

5. Addressing Spiritual Trauma and Fear After COVID

Observes, "Ever since COVID... people have been living in this spiritual trauma... many have been driven to a conspiracy theory mindset. Many have become untrusting and disconnected." (12:00)
- Warns that a constant "waiting for the other shoe to drop" isn't biblical faith.
Calls for a return to "the basics of biblical truth," a rejection of conspiracy and fear-based teaching, and a renewed focus on the Gospel (13:55).

6. Active Gospel Engagement as End Times Preparation

Reminds: "The focus of the believer isn’t conspiracy... don't forget who you are in Christ. Don't forget who ultimately has the victory." (14:10)
Re-centers the mission: "As we preach the gospel, the kingdom of God is expanding. I don't know about you, but I'm a part of a kingdom that expands." (14:40)

7. Great Commission and the Assurance of Christ's Authority

Quotes Jesus: "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth... therefore go and make disciples of all the nations... And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (14:50–15:00)
Affirms: It's not paranoid vigilance, but steady, hope-filled obedience to Christ's command that marks true preparation for the end times.

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

On fear versus faith:
- “God has not given you a spirit of fear, but one of power, of love, and of a sound mind.” (01:30)
On current events and prophecy:
- “You're going to hear often about wars and rumors of wars. This isn't a reason to fear.” (03:10)
On the true marker of the end:
- “For this gospel shall be preached to the ends of the earth, and then the end will come.” (07:20)
On the kingdom's destiny:
- “The sign of the end times is revival, not defeat; victory, not retreat.” (12:10)
- "I know it may not look like it... but look around at what God is doing. His church is growing, expanding rapidly all around the world." (14:20)
Final rallying call:
- “Come back to who you are in Christ. Come back to the simplicity, the simplicity with which Jesus taught.” (14:58)

Key Timestamps

00:14 — Introduction to global events, Operation Epic Fury, and their spiritual implications
02:15–05:15 — Reading and applying Jesus’ words from Matthew 24
06:55–08:00 — Emphasis on the Gospel being preached as the true end-times sign
09:10–12:10 — Kingdom victory mindset vs. defeatist, remnant mindset
12:00–13:30 — Post-COVID trauma and fear; call to return to faith, not conspiracy
14:10–14:58 — Re-centering on the Gospel mission; the ever-expanding Kingdom

Tone & Style

Language/Tone: Encouraging, scriptural, faith-forward, occasionally corrective.
Approach: Seeks to ground listeners in biblical truth, away from panic and distraction, toward hope, confidence, and evangelistic action.

Summary Takeaway

David Diga Hernandez urges believers to recalibrate their focus from fear and speculation about end times toward the clear biblical sign: the worldwide preaching of the Gospel. As world events become more turbulent, he champions a victorious, expansive Kingdom mindset, reminding listeners that revival—and not defeat—marks the true signature of these last days. The task for the church, he says, is not to cower in expectation of collapse, but to rise in faith and obedience, furthering Christ's Kingdom until He returns.

Transcript

A (0:00)

You're listening to the Encounter Podcast featuring the latest messages and teachings by David Diga Hernandez. Don't forget to subscribe the Encounter Podcast. Encounter the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

B (0:14)

I know that you can sense it in the Spirit because many Christians all around the world are discerning an intensification of spiritual activity. You see, right now, the world is reacting to the events unfolding in the Middle East. As you probably know by now, on February 28, 2026, the US and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury. In this attack, key locations of Iran were targeted with airstrikes, and among those killed in the attacks was the Ayatollah. There, of course, were retaliatory attacks. Things are becoming chaotic, uncertain, and many are speculating on what this means for the future of the nations involved. And some fear that this could bring about World War III or even the end of the world. But what are the spiritual implications of what we're witnessing? More importantly, what does the Bible reveal about these prophetic times? What does this mean for the future of this church? What does this mean for you and for your family? Firstly, I think we need to be praying. Whatever the political implications, we need to pray that these events ultimately open more doors for the Gospel. Secondly, remember this. God has not given you a spirit of fear, but one of power, of love, and of a sound mind. Now, interestingly, in all of this, there's one truth I'm just not hearing much about. There's one sign of the end that many are missing and that the modern church seems to have forgotten altogether. To see this sign, we look to the words of Jesus. As Jesus was leaving the temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various temple buildings. But he responded, do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another. Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world? Jesus told them, don't let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming I am the Messiah. That right there is one of the signs of the end, that many will come claiming the name of Jesus. They'll say I'm of Christ, or they'll say, God sent me. But Jesus tells us plainly they will deceive many, and you will hear of wars and threats of wars, or wars and rumors of wars. But don't panic. This is key, especially for these days. You're going to hear often about wars and rumors of wars. This isn't a reason to fear. You may be asking, how does God want me to prepare in times like these? Just trust and obey. Follow him, obey his word, be at peace. God is still in control. I know that it's easy when watching the news or when reading articles that your friends maybe send you. It's easy to be filled with fear. It's easy to allow your mind to race and fear for your family. How will this impact me here at home? How will, how will people respond to what's happening? Are things going to get chaotic? Is the world coming apart? But you have to remember that this is the ebb and flow of human history. And this ebb and flow of human history repeats itself in cycles. And it does so until the point of intensification, where the kingdom of God is ultimately established. God is winning. Now we continue to read. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately. Jesus tells us the end is not following immediately. Nation will go to war against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. So even the earth itself will respond to the ebb and flow of that timeline. But all this is only the first of the birth pains with more to come. Then you will be arrested, persecuted and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. So persecution intensifies and we've seen historically that intensifies by region and also by historic periods. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. Here we see the division in the church. We're seeing a lot of that today for sure. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere. That's the decline of the moral standard. The intensification of sin and the love of many will grow cold. People are becoming cold in the heart. Sin, selfish, self centered, narcissistic. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Verse 14 and this is the key. This is that sign, by the way, that we don't hear much about. And I believe it is the sign of the end. And I'm going to give you this sign. But it's important that after I give you this sign that you hear why we need to focus on this sign as opposed to just focusing on all the others. Verse 14 Jesus says, and the good news about the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world so that all nations will hear it. And then the end will come. I think we have it backwards. Likely you're hearing a lot of end times preaching because anytime a current event happens that's of this type of significance, or anytime something happens in the Middle east or anytime the there's something politically shifting, immediately there is a release of teachings on the topic. And there's nothing wrong with that in and of itself. But I'm not hearing about this sign. I'm hearing that there's this focus on what causes fear, there's the focus on the chaos, there's the focus on what looks like defeat. But Jesus says the end's not going to follow those signs. The end is not yet. For this gospel shall be preached to the ends of the earth, and then the end will come. Now, it's important that we believe that. It's important that we focus on that because it shifts our whole perspective. You see, the kingdom of God has been established. When Christ died on the cross and he rose again from the dead, he shamed the powers of darkness, he embarrassed the devil, and he took authority. God rules and reigns in this earth. Now you may say, well, why is it, if God rules and reigns in this earth, why is it that we see all these bad things happening? Well, because the devil has reign. He has influence in the disobedient. So it's like if it's raining outside and you carry an umbrella. Just because you're holding an umbrella doesn't mean it's not raining outside. You are just blocking the flow of that rain. So you have your little subsphere of influence, so to speak. It's the same way God rules and reigns over this earth. And there are pockets of demonic influence where there is disobedience, disobedience being like that umbrella blocking off the influence of the kingdom. But ultimately God is in charge. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. Jesus sits high above all other thrones. Governments can make their plans, wicked people can make their plans, but Jesus is in charge, not them. He who sits in the heavens shall laugh. The nations are just like chess pieces on a board, and God moves them around according to the arrangement that he so desires to bring forth the outcome that he wills. And so why is it important that we focus on this sign? Because when we focus on this sign, we are of the victory mindset, not the victim mindset. See, many teach in a way that implies that the church is going to shrink back in influence, and we take somewhat of this pride in that. Like, I'm a part of the remnant, everyone else is fake, but I'm one of the few Real ones. And because of this, we become critical of any move of God that brings in us mass sweeping in of souls. We say, well, too many people are responding positively to that, so that surely that can't be the gospel. But this isn't the kingdom mindset. The kingdom of God has been established. The kingdom of God is here and now. It's also then and there. The kingdom of God is everywhere. The kingdom of God is within you. And the kingdom of God is ever expanding. The kingdom of God expands in dominion. The kingdom of God expands in power. The kingdom of God expands in influence in the culture, in our lives, in our families. And that expanding kingdom will continue to expand until Christ has full reign over this earth. And so that is the opposite of what we're hearing. What we hear today, whenever something like this happens in our world is, oh my goodness, there it is. Everybody buckle up. Everything's going to fall apart now. And we're going to be huddled in some church underground somewhere waiting for the government to take our lives. And we're going to lose this earth, but we're going to escape and make it to heaven. Does that sound like victory to you? Here's what Jesus is saying, that these sign of the end times is revival, not defeat, victory, not retreat. That the kingdom of God advances. Look at what he says in Matthew 16:18. Now I say to you that you are Peter, which means rock, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. There's this sense of foreboding that develops in the heart of people. And I'm going to say it plainly like this. I've made an observation. Ever since COVID when the world shut down, ever since COVID when everything was just pulled out from under us, people have been living in this spiritual trauma. And because of it, many have been driven to a conspiracy theory mindset. Many have become untrusting and disconnected. Many read into things when there's nothing there to read into. And what ends up happening is the enemy uses that against you to produce fear and paranoia in your heart. So ever since COVID we've kind of been waiting for the other shoe to drop, so to speak. Ever since COVID we've kind of been in this place of, well, you know, I believe things are stable, I believe things are good, but at any moment it can all be taken from us. And that's true because Jesus does describe signs of the times. But I think that has shifted some of the mindsets within the church where people once look forward with Faith and with hope. And they once focused on the kingdom and expanding the influence of God in the earth. We now are just kind of waiting for some big thing to happen in the natural that ultimately signals the collapse of all society and then the rise of the kingdom. But if that's what you're waiting for, you may be waiting another thousand years. I know you may not like what I'm telling you, but I'm telling you this as your brother in Christ to try to get you to focus on the basics of biblical truth again, to not get all wrapped up in these weird and wild thoughts. Yes, some of it's based on some truth, I'm sure, but the focus of the believer isn't conspiracy. The focus of the believer isn't necessarily just the political climate. Yeah, be aware of those things, that's fine if you want to look into them. You ought to be aware of how the enemy moves in this earth, that's fine. But don't forget who you are in Christ. Don't forget who ultimately has the victory. The don't forget that our victory depends upon what Christ accomplished on the cross and when he rose from the dead and not in some happening in our world today. And so we need to come back to the place where we're getting focused again, where we're not focusing on these big theories and fear based thinking, where instead we're here, back grounded in the scripture, empowered by the Holy Spirit, focused on our one message, which is Christ and him crucified, preaching that gospel, knowing that as we preach the gospel, the kingdom of God is expanding. I don't know about you, but I'm a part of a kingdom that expands. I'm a part of a kingdom that grows in influence. Now I know there are many different scriptures we can point to that seem to indicate that it ends in defeat for the church or that things just get worse and worse. And I've gone through those before. For now I just want to address that basic principle that the kingdom of God is expanding. That the sign of the times is that the gospel goes out to the nations of the world. Look at this. Jesus came and told his disciples, I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Well, I'm going to believe Jesus. And he says this, therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, not just individuals. He says, go take the nations. That's an order from Jesus our Lord. And he says, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. So that that sense of foreboding, that fear where you're just constantly waiting for everything to fall apart, could it fall apart? Sure, I don't have too much confidence in societies built by man anyway. But that sense of foreboding, that fear, that focus on those things, that should not be the case for the believer. We're not even of this world, of the kingdom of God. And Christ rules. Yeah, it may not look like how we want it to look, but ultimately he is victorious. Ultimately the gospel goes out. Ultimately, there is a great harvest of souls. Think about what Jesus said. He said the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. He didn't say the harvest is very small and there are many laborers. He said the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. So there will be a sweeping of souls. Revival is the exclamation point that God ends. The sentence with revival is how God punctuates this time in history. And I know it may not look like it, especially with the news lying to us and especially with social media. The advent of social media has intensified the influence of the spirit of fear because we can highlight all the bad things happening in our world. But look around at what God is doing. His church is growing, expanding rapidly all around the world. The kingdom is expanding. Christ's influence is growing. We're not going to be a weak, huddled remnant in the corner. We are in the army of God. We are of the Kingdom of the Most High. And so you and I have to shift our focus back from fear and depending upon exterior forces, depending upon exterior happenings. Being so focused on all of those things. Again, be aware. Sure, aware, but not paranoid. Come back to who you are in Christ. Come back to the simplicity, the simplicity with which Jesus taught.