6 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. Matthew 24:6-8 (NKJV)
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I wrote yesterday about the massive tornado outbreak and the people who died in those storms. Today I want to talk about what lies ahead.
I have head a lot of speculation about whether these are judgements from God or the birth pains. Although I'm not going to get into that discussion now, I will say that things will get much worse.
For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Romans 8:22 (NKJV)
The book of Revelation talks about major earthquakes several times.
12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.
Revelation 6:12-13 (NKJV)
Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. Revelation 8:5 (NKJV)
In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. Revelation 11:13 (NKJV)
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. Revelation 11:19 (NKJV)
18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. Revelation 16:18-20 (NKJV)
Imagine, an earthquake so great that the mountains and islands are all gone. Now this sounds pretty horrible to me. I certainly don't want to be around for any of it. And I believe that it won't be just earthquakes. I can imagine more massive tornado outbreaks, volcanoes, and hurricanes.
Do I believe that these are all birth pains? Although there are many who many disagree with me, I believe they are. I believe they are warnings to those who have either rejected Jesus or have not yet made up their minds. Now, how about those of us who have accepted Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Should we be afraid? Although the human part of us does fear, we need to remember that, through all of this, God is still in control.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (NKJV)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
I've said it before and I will say it again. Time is short. We many not know the day or hour of his coming, but we are to be in the Word of God and we are to know the signs.
2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 3 and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. Matthew 16:2-3 (NKJV)
We, the Church need to be busy. We need to be witnessing and warning. We need to be telling people that time is short and Jesus IS coming back. And if you're still undecided, my warning to you is to look at the signs. The time for repentance is NOW. Tomorrow may be too late.
2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 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. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 (NKJV)
God willing, until next time
Maranatha
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