If you're like me, you're horrified at all the terrible natural disasters that have occured just in the past few weeks. The cyclone in Myanmar which left 62,000 dead or missing. The Tornadoes in the midwest, the earthquake in China where 26,000 dead or injured and another 18,000 possibly buried beneath the rubble. What is going on? 1800 people died when Katrina hit New Orleans. Magnify that by 30 times and you still won't reach the dead in Myanmar. Have we become immune to hearing about such castastophies?
In Luke 21:10-11 Jesus spoke about the last days "Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. "
The disciples had asked Jesus what would be the sign of His coming and the end of the age. Matthew 24 and Luke 21 give us His answer. I encourage you to read them.
Yes, I know we've had earthquakes, and storms, famines and plagues throughout history, and I'm certainly not one of those people who predicts the end of the world, but with all that's happening it does make one think.
In 1 Thess 5, Paul describes these disasters before the coming of the Lord as labor pains and as any woman knows who's had a baby, these pains get more and more intense and more and more painful, the closer to the birth.
Listen to this cool scripture found in Romans 8
20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
Creation. That's everything. Rocks, trees, oceans, moutains, forest. Do you realize that when man fell in Eden, so did all of Creation. Wow, And the earth is groaning in anticipation for Christ's return, the birth of the new Kingdom on earth. And leading up to that new birth, the labor pains are increasing.
Does God care about all this suffering? Absolutely. But He cares more about the souls of men and where they will spend eternity than anything temporary on this earth. If given a choice, would a woman not want to give birth to her baby, keep him or her in her womb forever, just to avoid the pain of childbirth? I doubt it.
The birth of God's glorious kingdom on this earth will be so wonderful, so beyond anything we could ever imagine. But as it is written: “ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,Nor have entered into the heart of manThe things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
So, instead of being afraid, be encouraged. Seek Jesus, Seek God's will. Read the word, and look up, for the King of Kings is returning soon.
Hi :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I hear talk of the end it can scare me some even though I know that I've been saved. So thanks for the post, it did encourage me. :)
Also, I have been wanting to read your book, "The Redemption" and I finally got it a couple of weeks ago. I haven't finished it yet but I am enjoying it and at times wish I could read it instead of work. ;)