The Beginning of Birth Pains

Whenever trouble in the Middle East escalates, many people jump to the conclusion that this is the end time scenario laid out in the Word of God.

While this is possibly true, I can only say dogmatically that this is the beginning of birth pains as our Lord Jesus warned us.

And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. Mark 13:7-8

In the last days, God wants us to pray fervently, witness faithfully and wait expectantly.

We are living in tumultuous times. It’s been over 50 years since we’ve seen such turmoil and violence and chaos in the streets, all around the world. Everyone longs for things to return to normal, but some things may never be the same.

If things do get back to normal, I pray that Jesus’ followers will not return to business as usual. The church has grown complacent in prayer and sharing the gospel. We need to get busy about our Father’s business. You don’t know when Jesus will return. And besides that, you don’t even know how long you will live. We must pray fervently, witness faithfully and wait expectantly.

Pray fervently

We are to do everything for God's glory.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 

“Whatever you do” includes prayer. We are commanded to pray and encouraged to pray. God longs to hear from His people. Prayer develops your relationship with God.

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Whatever you’re doing, keep in touch with the Lord all throughout the day. That will help eliminate much of your anxiety, worry and fears.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

God tells you to pray for your needs, but ultimately prayer is for God's glory. So how do you glorify God in prayer? What does that look like?

When you align your prayers with God's will… that brings Him glory.

When you call on God with bold faith, trusting Him to do the impossible… that brings Him glory.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

So, stop praying wimpy prayers and start praying prayers that only God can answer. That will increase your faith and that will bring Him glory.

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

If you are one of God’s people, it’s time to humble yourself, pray, seek God’s face, turn from your sinful ways. Repent of any known sin. Ask God to search your heart and see if there is any wickedness in you. So that God will hear from heaven, forgive our sin and heal our land. Maybe our nation hasn’t passed the point of no return. Prayer is a mighty weapon, not for getting your will done in heaven, but for getting God’s will done here in the earth. Pray fervently.

Witness faithfully

God is calling all people everywhere to repent. Just look around and it’s obvious that the world needs Jesus. And you have the answer. You may not have the remedy for the world’s problems, but you have the antidote to the spiritual pandemic that is destroying lives every day. If you haven’t been telling others about Jesus, you need to repent of that sin and learn to share your faith. God doesn’t want anyone to die and go to hell. That’s why he sent His Son.

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. Acts 17:30-31

Now more than ever, God is calling all people everywhere to repent. All of these things we are experiencing these days are reminders from God to repent while there is time.

Repentance means a change of heart, mind, and direction. Repentance is a radical change where you are renewed, regenerated and you learn to love God, love people, and you cherish Jesus above all your other relationships. Then you have the responsibility to go and make disciples.

Someone invited me to church back in 1976, and that’s when I first heard the gospel and gave my life to Christ. If you don’t want your friends and loved ones to end up in hell, then you need to tell them about Jesus.

You may be thinking, “I don’t know what to say. People might reject me.” You will never know how they will respond if you don’t give them the opportunity.

Remember the woman at the well. What did she do after she met Jesus?

So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” They went out of the town and were coming to him. John 4:28-30

The woman ran back to her town and shared her personal testimony. She found Jesus and she told everybody who would listen. And for two days people came to Jesus. All because of one woman’s testimony.

When I first got saved, nobody told me that I was supposed to be a witness. But my friends wondered why I stopped drinking and doing drugs with them. I simply told them that I got saved and that Jesus changed my life. Many of them laughed at me and called me names, but today some of them are Christians as well.

In Mark 16, Jesus gives us the great commission, but for some of us it’s the great omission, because you are not being obedient to his commands.

Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mark 16:15

When you received Jesus as Lord, He gave you the message of reconciliation and the ministry of reconciliation. You are now ambassadors for Christ. He makes His appeal through you. You are His representatives in the world. Represent Him well. No matter how you do it, just do it. Tell your friends and family about Jesus, if you really love them.

Wait expectantly

Jesus roamed the earth over 2000 years ago, but before leaving, He promised that He would return. When the disciples asked Jesus what would be the sign of His coming, He mentioned several things to look for.

Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. Luke 21:10-11

Jesus wants you to view things like wars, earthquakes, famines and plagues as reminders of His promise to return. He said you need to recognize the signs of the times. The handwriting is on the wall. When you see these things, remember, this is not the end. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

God wants you to wake up, get ready, be on guard, stay alert! 

One thing we know for sure about the end of the world, Jesus said…

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14

In 2020, many churches started broadcasting the gospel online. Maybe that’s one reason God allowed the pandemic, so the gospel will be proclaimed to more people, and ultimately to the whole world… and then the end will come.

Jesus is coming again! He is coming at an hour when you least expect it. The way to get ready is to receive Jesus Christ as Lord. If you are already a follower of Jesus, He has this word for you…

You are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6

Jesus is coming soon! This should come as no surprise for children of light. Are you awake and sober? Are you ready to meet Him?

Everything that occurs in life is part of God’s plan. Even though the world is in chaos and it seems like satan has the upper hand, God is always in control. He has planned His work and now He is working out His plan.

So, pray fervently, witness faithfully and wait expectantly.

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3