Birth Pangs
One day the disciples came to Jesus while he was in the temple area and marveled at the beauty of the buildings. The disciples often followed Jesus in the hopes he would say something very important. On this day, they were not disappointed. Jesus sensed their interest; He asked them, “Are you looking at these buildings? The fact is, they will be destroyed. Every stone will be thrown down to the ground. Not one stone will be left on another.”(Matt.24:2) 70 years later, the Romans burned the temple to the ground once again proving the validity of Jesus' words. But, Jesus wasn't finished with the disciples this day, he had something very important to say to them about our present day generations. The disciples asked “Tell us when these things will happen. And what will happen to prepare us for your coming and the end of time?”(24:3) Jesus had previously told them he would be leaving Earth, but he would come back to them at the end of time. If Jesus was right about the destruction of the temple, shouldn't we pay close attention to his description of the end of the age?
Jesus went on to explain there would be much trouble surrounding his return. Humanity would be in such a dismal state of decadent corruption that if he didn't return men would self-destruct and life on earth would end. He told his followers the trouble would start slowly and then rapidly intensify until there seemed to be no hope. But, at that time, he would return with the armies of heaven and put down the rebellion. “Then there will be something in the sky that shows the Son of Man is coming. All the people of the world will cry. Everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds in the sky. He will come with power and great glory.(24:30) Jesus went on to tell his disciples that there would be signs to look for, false messiahs, wars and the rumors of wars, nations would rise against nations, there would be famines and earthquakes. He then warned them that this was just the beginning of trouble. He likened it to birth pangs. “These things are only the beginning of troubles, like the first pains of a woman giving birth.”(24:8)
If you are paying any attention to world conditions, you will realize these things are beginning to happen. The disciples were concerned about how they should prepare for such a time as this. Preparation is simple,“if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”(Ro.10:9) Ask any mother, and she will tell you the new life she brings forth is worth any pain she may endure in the beginning. There is a new and wonderful world ready to come forth, but first, the birth pangs. For more about the new world and the end of this age read Beam me up Commander, it's free!
