Jesus also predicted the events we are seeing today on the evening news. But these are not direct signposts of the Latter Days. They are what must happen prior to the seven year period spoken of by Daniel. The seven year period will be worse than anything in human history. [See Seven Year Tribulation Period for more information]
(Mat 24:6-8) "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. {7} "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and
earthquakes in various places. {8} "All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Jesus is showing what to look for just before and during the Latter Days. He is revealing these events because he knows that whatever state the world happens to be, people will think it is perfectly normal. He realizes people will adapt to whatever environment they are subjected. Hence, he gives us these signposts.
Some believe that the rumors or threats of war in the Last Days refer to the impending nuclear crisis. Since the 1950's, every new generation has grown up with the rumor and threat of a nuclear attack. The problem is only worsening as the number of countries and terrorist groups have access to nuclear technology from the disintegration of the former Soviet Union. Some are developing the technology to build the weapons themselves.