WILL, Jesus, began to say: “Take heed that NO ONE DECEIVES YOU. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,‘ and will deceive many. But when you hear of 1wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but THE END IS NOT YET. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be 2earthquakes in various places, and there will be 3famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.” (Mark 13:5-8)
- 1We cannot go through a day anymore without hearing of a war or some kind of armed fighting or conflict with people being killed somewhere on this earth, whether it is in Afghanistan, in Pakistan, in Iraq, in East Africa, in South America, or now even in the United States. It is happening all the time, and we are aware of it. We may not pay a great deal of attention, but it registers on our minds that it has occurred. It adds to the intensity of our stress and keeps us a little bit on edge. However, Jesus says that, despite hearing all these terrible things, the end is not yet.
- 2Scientists have warned there could be a big increase in numbers of devastating earthquakes around the world next year. They believe variations in the speed of Earth’s rotation could trigger intense seismic activity, particularly in heavily populated tropical regions.
- 3The UK Government’s Sustainable Development Commission – talking about the famine in Somalia that went on to kill roughly 250,000 people2. He seems certain that the rapid population growth witnessed in East Africa had made famine there ‘unavoidable’.
“For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.” (Mark 13:19) “God demonstrates His own love toward us, having now been justified by Jesus blood, WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM WRATH THROUGH HIM.” (Rom. 5:8-9) “…wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus WHO DELIVERS US FROM THE WRATH TO COME.” (1 Thess. 1:10) “…the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only HE WHO NOW RESTRAINS WILL DO SO UNTIL HE IS TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY.” (2 Thess. 2:7) The lawlessness is the evil becoming more present in this world but it is being restrained by the Holy Spirit who will soon take us out of here. Then there will be nothing to hold back the beast from unleashing his evilness, thankfully WILL, we’ll be gone.
IN A MOMENT, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE… (1 Corin. 15:52)
-William Stockham