Birth Pains

September 11

(Luke 21:6-11 NIV) ““As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down." {7} "Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?" {8} He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. {9} When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." {10} Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. {11} There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.””

(Matthew 24:3-8 NIV) ““As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" {4} Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. {5} For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many. {6} 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. {7} Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. {8} All these are the beginning of birth pains.””

The signs of Christ’s return are present in every age, but there will be an intensification of these signs in the days before He comes again. When we look at end time’s prophecy we must realize that there is mystery involved. Anyone saying they have it all figured out should be viewed with suspicion. We will never have all the answers on this side of eternity. The run-up to the end of the age will be marked by false messiahs, claiming divine knowledge and demanding divine respect. They will be phonies. Wars and revolutions will abound. Violence will increase. Earthquakes will shake the foundations of the Earth. Famine will cause millions of deaths. Pestilence and disease will overpower the healthcare systems. Things will happen in the heavens that bring great fear and anxiety. In Matthew’s gospel Jesus calls these events, “the beginning of birth pains”. Get ready. Something big is coming. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day