“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:5-6).

The verses quoted above were part of Jesus’ response to the question, “What will be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3).

The Lord’s reply to the question is known to Bible scholars as the “Olivet Discourse” because (1) Jesus was standing ‘upon the Mount of Olives’ at the time, and (2) His answer, which is contained in the three Synoptic Gospels, fills the entire chapter. It is one of the most lengthy teaching discourses in the New Testament.

The Olivet Discourse focuses its attention on events that take place DURING THE TRIBULATION but begins by describing the events that conspire together to bring it about.

The period of wars and rumors of wars has been ongoing now since 1914, with the first truly global war in human history. It was followed by a second global war in 1939, whose conclusion brought about the ultimate ‘rumor of war’ between the West and the Soviet Empire.

There are two different entities under discussion, ‘nations’ and ‘kingdoms.’ The word ‘nation’ is translated from the Greek word ‘ethnos’ and describes an ethnic state, like Israel or one of the ethnic states of the Arab world. Or North Korea.

The word translated ‘kingdom’ ‘basileia’ means “royal power, kingship, dominion, rule,” and it describes a national entity bound together by economic/social interests rather than ethnic relationships.

America would fit the Biblical understanding of a ‘kingdom’ in the sense Americans are not bound together by blood or ethnicity but rather by common social and economic benefits. The same could be applied to the member/states of the EU. Individually, some European countries might be ethnic in origin, but the Common Market exists for economic reasons.

The collapse of the Soviet Union uncorked a new round of ethnic unrest and international conflict, but, as Jesus was careful to note, “the end is not yet.”

Assessment

Ethnic or economic strife has been responsible for all the wars of modern times. The world wars were wars aimed at conquest for economic reasons. Hitler’s Nazis sought both ethnic purity and “liebensraum” (living space) for Germany.

Japan’s Imperial government set out to conquer Asia to ensure a steady supply of raw materials and to establish ethnic Japanese rule over Greater Asia.

Skeptics might argue that wars, ethnic unrest, even famines, earthquakes and pestilences all have been part of the human condition since the Fall of Man at the Garden of Eden. (Or since the first amoeba turned into a person… for the skeptic who can’t bring himself to believe in God but finds no conflict of faith in a frog turning into a prince.)

Note that Jesus said, “all these are the beginning of sorrows.” The word ‘sorrow’ first appears in Scripture in Genesis 3:16 when God tells Eve, “I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children.” “Sorrow” is translated from the Hebrew “itstsabown” and refers to labor pains.

The Greek word ‘odin’ translated as ‘sorrows’ in Matthew 24:8 also refers to labor pains.

Every parent who has ever lived could instantly grasp the meaning of this metaphor — that is why Jesus chose it. As the birth of a child approaches, the mother begins to experience labor pains, which, having once begun, continue to increase in both frequency and intensity as the moment of birth approaches.

Prospective parents in Jesus’ day did exactly what I did with each of my kids — timed the interval between the contractions. It was a carefully chosen metaphor designed to resonate with all people, of all cultures, in all generations. But, to the generation to whom those signs were addressed, the meaning would be unmistakable.

When one compares the accuracy of the Bible’s account of the unknowable future to the ever-changing scientific ‘explanations’ for the distant past, doubts melt away. The skeptic has multiple explanations for static events that have already happened.

The Bible gives a single explanation for a fluid, changeable series of events predicted to happen thousands of years in the future — the events that define our present day. Which is more convincing?

Bible prophecy proves Jesus was the Son of God, regardless of the latest scientific, archeological or historical discovery. No matter what else might be offered as ‘evidence’ to the contrary, there is no other explanation for Bible prophecy. It is our generation’s unique miracle.

It proves that He remains in charge of the affairs of men. Scripture records His Promise in all three Gospel accounts, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33).

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).

Bible prophecy is proof positive that God remains on the Throne, that His Word will NOT return to Him void, and that all the chaos and terror of the world notwithstanding, all continues to go according to His plan.

Given the unbeliever’s explanation of uncontrolled chaos, Bible prophecy isn’t all that depressing after all. What WOULD be depressing would be to be among the lost, not knowing what this world is coming to, and believing the world is in a state of uncontrolled chaos.

For the believer, Bible prophecy can be pretty encouraging, which is what the Lord intended for the last days’ Church all along:

“But these things have I told you, that WHEN THE TIME SHALL COME, ye may remember that I told you of them” (John 16:4).

This article was written by Jack Kinsella on July 5, 2006.

The original article was posted on Omegaletter.com.

 

Today, more than ever, we need to establish a relationship with the Lord God Jehovah, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. The “nay-sayers” will tell you there’s plenty of time, and besides, there are many ways to Heaven. Some say all religions worship the same god, and Jesus was a good prophet but is not God Himself. Also, the Bible is just a book of ancient mythical stories and is not the true word of God, nor is it relevant today. (ESV – all emphasis mine)

First, for me, the Bible is the absolute true word from our Heavenly Father, as He would waste no time on legends or myths. He cannot lie (Titus 1:2), and what He gives us as the absolute pathway to Him is pure truth.

Two verses about this are: 2 Timothy 3:16; “All scripture is breathed out by God, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.” Next is 2 Peter 1:21; “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Of course, it’s obvious that a person must believe the Bible is God’s word, or even the above verses would be foolishness to them. One way to tell if something is true or not is to check the historical records for correctness. Some scholars, far more experienced than I, have stated that during His time on earth, Jesus fulfilled more than 300 prophecies with 100% accuracy. Their calculations state that even if only eight (8) were completed as given, the odds would be 1 in 10 to the 17th power. To fulfill over 300, the number cannot be calculated by human means.

Also, recorded History about the Savior’s time on earth gives proof He actually was here and is more verifiable than even the life of Pilate. Even so, Satan influences many to not accept Jesus.

John 14:6; “Jesus said to him, I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Acts 4:12; “And there is Salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

John 3:18; “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

John 10:30; “I and the Father are One.”

1 John 5:12; “Whoever has the Son, has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Romans 8:1; “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

And the list could go on and on. Satan will do everything in his power to convince us that this is all bogus. His famous line, “Did God really say?” in Genesis 3 is just as effective today. People would rather believe the lie and enjoy the so-called pleasures of this earth than to be saved and have an eternal home in Heaven. I used to believe people could not be so deceived, but witnessing the changing attitudes over the past decade has convinced me otherwise. And the trend against Jesus is accelerating daily.

Up to about 35 years ago, my life was on the pathway leading to the White Throne Judgment. My belief was that I believed in Jesus but never really called out for Him to be my true Savior. Since then, I have learned that my relationship with Him is more valuable than anything else this earth offers. I am pleased to say my wife believes the same way, and we look forward to our eternity with Jesus.

God is not some bearded ancient person sitting on a huge throne figuring ways He can condemn us. Question: who but a loving, caring Father would send a valuable part of Himself to a sin-filled lost world to be our only perfect sacrifice that He could accept? Man could never meet the requirement of sinless perfection to satisfy our Father’s demand for purity. In fact, when man turned to sin, it’s amazing that the Father didn’t just destroy us.

Next, why would one-third of the Heavenly Holy Trinity agree to come here to be that sacrifice, knowing full well what He would have to endure? In our frail, twisted minds, this would make no sense. However, this is exactly what happened. John 10:18; “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.”

John 3:16-17; “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” I’ve already given John 3:18, which gives the consequences for refusing to accept the Son. That is the unforgivable sin.

In 2 Peter 3:9, we read, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness; but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

And to top this all off, our only requirement is to receive and accept His Son. Ephesians 2:8-9; “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast.”

Jim Reeves wrote and performed a song, “He Will.” As a young teenager, I had the privilege of attending one of His concerts in my hometown before his death. I still remember the pleasant voice and his wonderful personality. Please enjoy the words, and his version can be heard on YouTube.

1.) He will open up the doorway you never knew was there; He will show you many things you knew not how. He will let you know He listens to your every prayer. He will save you by the mercy of His love.

2.) He will guide you through life’s battles; He will give you power; He will answer when you call Him night or day. He will shine His light upon you in the darkest hours; He will love you and go with you all the way.

3.) He will take you by the hand and lead you as you would a child, down the straight and narrow aisle through Satan’s mill. He will take you when the time is right, and in just a little while, He will love you and go with you all the way.

He will give you life eternal; He Will; He Will.

God will accept all who truly call on His Son to be saved. He will force no one but allows each of us to choose our eternal destiny. Revelation 19:20 and Revelation 20:10-15 give the outcome of Satan and all who follow him. Anyone who would tell you that no one will be in hell forever or that hell is not real has not read and believed these verses (Matthew 15:41). As I said, God does not waste His time on lies and myths.

All the signs today are getting stronger that the end of this age is very near. For true believers, our final chapter here will end. After the Rapture, this world will go through a 7-year tribulation/wrath period of time, followed by the 1,000-year reign of Jesus from Jerusalem (Revelation 20:1-8).

All who will have received and accepted Jesus prior to the wrath will not be here for any of it. We see the signs today, but what is happening is child-play compared to what is coming. Our reservation is made, and God promised He would honor it when that time comes.

It could be at any moment now, so there’s no time to waste. That’s what Satan would like for you to do. Be ready, know that God’s word is absolute truth, and avoid that long line that will be at the Great White Throne. When Paul said it would happen in “the twinkling of an eye” in 1 Corinthians 15:52, he was telling us that we won’t have time to prepare when the call goes out.

Right now would not be too early to receive and accept the Son of the Living God to be your eternal Savior. He will save you – He Will!

Come, Lord Jesus!

huebshman46@gmail.com