Jesus is Essential
Matthew 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. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Jesus describes the events leading up to His return in glory and indicates signs of that return. In this section, He described the first half of the seven-year period preceding His second coming. That period is called the Seventieth Week of Daniel. The events described correspond somewhat to the seven seals in Revelation 6. That period will be characterized by (a) false Christs, (b) wars and rumors of wars in which nations will rise up against each other on a global scale and (c) unusual disturbances in nature including famines and earthquakes.
These things, Jesus said, will be the beginning of birth pains. As a pregnant woman’s birth pains indicate that her child will soon be born, these universal conflicts and catastrophes will mean the end of this Age is near. 1
Walking with Jesus
Knowing that these global disturbances will continue to intensify until the rapture of the church, are you intensifying your personal pursuit of God? Are you digging deeper into His Word? Are you staying away from the sinful attractions of this world? Is your character becoming more Christlike? Can you rejoice in your salvation?
For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:3
Before the birth of something new, a period of extended labor usually occurs.
Praying
Lord, thank You for letting us know about the coming trials.
1. Walvoord, John F., & Zuck, R. B., Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary.
