Out Of The Shadows

In Matthew 24:6-8 Jesus is quoted as saying, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of ‘birth pains’.”
 
Prior to every birth come the physical pains (or as Jesus described them, ‘sorrows’). The “pains/sorrows” allegory Jesus spoke of foretold the experience of childbirth, which his hearers and we readers can easily identify with. The tone of His warnings in the description of these sorrows give us a glimpse of the severity an unbelieving world will suffer. It’s these final birth pains that have started for this last generation and are coming evermore rapidly before our eyes.
 
Jesus declares as these birth pains escalate, their frequency and intensities become markedly more horrific and widespread across the globe. Those with ears to hear and eyes to see will not dismiss these events or their implications if they choose to recognize the direct correlations between the bible’s prophetic words of warning for present and future ‘last days’ consequences.
 
The importance of these approaching events for us is to understand and realize God’s offer of forgiveness and eternal life comes through belief in and profession that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah. For two thousand years the words, deeds and actions of Jesus have been told, retold and taught so the world’s multitudes might hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and respond affirmatively, ensuring salvation.
 
We are indeed entering the run up to the ‘new birth’ (Second Coming of Christ) and His coming “Millennial Kingdom” reign. As with all new life the period between conception and birth is most acutely acknowledged in the immediacy right before birth occurs. The process of pregnancy followed by the onset of ‘labor’ (marked by the ‘breaking of one’s water’) sets into motion the severe ‘contraction pains’ representing an escalating finality.
 
My belief is these birth pains began for mankind when Jesus ascended to heaven (after He spent forty days with his disciples and followers after his resurrection) to sit at the right hand of God, the Father. It was upon His return to God’s throne that He received ‘the deed’ (described as the “scroll” in the book of ‘Revelation’) of ownership/inheritance of the earth and its inhabitants.
 
It was then that Jesus (“the Lamb of God” and “Lion of Judah” described by John in Revelation) took the scroll from the hand of God the Father and broke open the first five seals, releasing the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse as recorded in the books of Revelation, Zachariah and Ezekiel.
 
Two questions many have about the End Times are, why? “Why are these things happening?” And, “Will it get worse?” The answer to the first is, God is giving the world’s inhabitants recognizable opportunities now to turn from abject moral and ethical disobedience by returning to Him in mind, body and spirit.
 
The simple answer to the second question is sadly, Yes. Things will get progressively more intensely undeniable and chaotic. It’s time to become cognizant of our new reality so you and your family, loved ones, and friends can be more prepared and knowledgeable.
 
Join me next time for part 4 when we look at the near-term fallout.

Questions always welcomed and answered.