The signs of the times¹ are prophetic events during the current sixth seal² that warn people to prepare themselves for Christ's Second Coming.³ Prophetic signs similarly alerted spiritually sensitive people to Christ's first coming and helped them to prepare for that advent.⁴ Today, the signs of the times pertain specifically to the last days,⁵ which began in 1820 with Joseph Smith's First Vision.⁶ The First Vision began the dispensation of the fullness of times⁷ or what might be called the fullness of signs.⁸ The last days will continue until the Second Coming.⁹ Until then, the latter-day signs of the times will increasingly indicate that the Second Coming¹⁰ is close, even at the door.¹¹

The warning signs of the sixth seal are like beacons¹² that guide righteous people to prepare¹³ for the end of the world that will accompany the Second Coming.¹⁴ With the aid of the Spirit,¹⁵ people are given to know the signs of the times.¹⁶ That is, they can anticipate and discern the time of the end,¹⁷ just as a woman in travail can anticipate the time of her child's birth.¹⁸ For those that fail to heed the signs of the times, the judgments of the Second Coming¹⁹ shall come upon them as a thief in the night.²⁰

Revelation 6:12-17 identifies seven prophetic events or signs of the times in the period of the sixth seal (latter days).²¹ They include (1) a great earthquake,²² (2) a dark sun, (3) a blood-red moon, (4) falling stars,²³ (5) the heavens opening as a scroll,²⁴ (6) the displacement of mountains and islands by the great earthquake,²⁵ and (7) seven classes of people that will be overcome with fear.²⁶ These seven signs and seven classes of fearful people in Revelation 6:12-17²⁷ symbolize the fullness of all prophetic signs of the times during the latter days of the sixth seal.²⁸ These seven signs will literally manifest themselves as actual events when the sixth seal ends in the very near future.²⁹

The signs of the times are increasing both qualitatively and quantitatively, which means their number and their intensity are both increasing as the end of the sixth seal approaches. These signs can be seen in the daily reports of natural disasters throughout the world,³⁰ economic turmoil,³¹ plagues and sickness,³² wars and rumors of war,³³ moral and spiritual decay,³⁴ as well as political and social upheavals.³⁵ On a more positive note, the restoration of God's latter-day church and kingdom is a major sign of the times that has come to pass and is also increasing as an influence for good in all the world.³⁶

When the final seven signs of the sixth seal are finally given, they will foreshadow seven similar signs that will occur as literal events with even greater intensity during the seventh seal. The start of the seventh seal will include very severe plagues that accompany the seven trumpet angels in Revelation chapters 8 to 14, and the seven Vial Plagues that will bring even worse plagues in Revelation chapters 15 to 19.³⁷

Many signs of the times can be difficult to recognize for what they are³⁸ even for the most spiritually sensitive people.³⁹ This is true because prophetic events repeat themselves⁴⁰ over vast periods of time,⁴¹ and they often differ only in degree and intensity.⁴² The prophetic events also overlap and very few begin and/or end at specific times.⁴³ They frequently occur and recur as events in nature that are typically described and explained away without reference to their Second Coming significance.⁴⁴ The signs can also be confusing because, in general, the Lord has not given a key to understand the specific order in which certain signs are to occur.⁴⁵ Events are predicted only in general terms⁴⁶ in relationship to the Second Coming,⁴⁷ without specifics as to their timing.⁴⁸ Finally, Satan actively tries to deceive the elect about the meaning of many signs of the times.⁴⁹ The signs and literal events are like a parable, which faithless people can see but lack the spiritual discernment to understand.⁵⁰ The signs of the times can be understood, but only through careful consideration, diligent study,⁵¹ and an exercise of faith.⁵²

The signs of the times during the sixth seal will include, and already do include, cataclysmic events in nature throughout the earth.⁵³ There will also be significant spiritual commotion and a polarization of good and evil throughout the world.⁵⁴ Wicked people are already drunken with iniquity,⁵⁵ and because iniquity shall abound, the love of men shall wax cold.⁵⁶ This refers to an absence of Christ-like love.⁵⁷ In the absence of such love, peace shall be taken from the earth,⁵⁸ and the devil shall have power over his own dominion.⁵⁹

The period of the sixth seal is the great day of Satan's power.⁶⁰ As Satan's dominions increase in this modern era, the spirit of the Lord (i.e., light of Christ) will increasingly withdraw from the world.⁶¹ Crime will increase.⁶² People will increasingly kill and murder each other,⁶³ including many murders inspired by secret combinations.⁶⁴ The moral decay in society will bring about anarchy⁶⁵ and even threats to the United States government.⁶⁶ There will be a desolating scourge,⁶⁷ abominations,⁶⁸ and legalized immorality⁶⁹ not seen since the days of Noah,⁷⁰ and in Sodom and Gomorrah.⁷¹ The last days of the sixth seal are spiritually perilous times,⁷² and the signs of the times serve as an ongoing warning that the sword of God's vengeance hangs over the wicked.⁷³