THE ANSWER TO WHEN – part 2:
Verse 6. “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. Verse 7. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. Verse 8. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
AN IMPORTANT HISTORICAL AND CHRONOLOGICAL MARKER:
Jesus’ disciples heard of wars and rumors of wars in their day, and His disciples, since that day, have been hearing of wars and rumors of wars. These conflicts have increased in frequency and intensity, but Jesus is clear that wars and rumors of wars are not yet the end. He also said nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and we have had a myriad of global conflicts including two world wars, but once again he is clear that this is not yet the end for these things must first take place.
Jesus goes on to tell his disciples, both then and now, that we will experience famines and earthquakes, and we have seen an increase in the frequency and the severity of famines and earthquakes over the ensuing decades, in various places. Again, Jesus says these are just the beginning of birth pangs, which is an apt metaphor to describe the coming birth of something new and terrible.
IMPORTANT: Jesus’ words, as recorded in Matthew 24:6-8, regarding ‘wars, rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes’ are a summary of His remarks recorded in the book of The Revelation, chapter 6, which goes into greater detail about the breaking of the first 4 seals of the scroll of the tribulation, also known as ‘birth pangs’ or the ‘days of distress’ which had begun sometime around A.D. 1 to A.D. 25.
NEXT: THE ANSWER TO “WHEN” – Part 3: THE GREAT FALLING AWAY.
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THE INTRODUCTION: THE END OF THE AGE?
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