“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.“All these are the beginning of sorrows. Matthew 24:6:8. NKJV
Most believers who are familiar with Jesus’ words in Matthew chapter 24 recognize that it is a description of events that He also compares to labor pains in a woman preparing to give birth. As most understand, labor pains grow in frequency and intensity the closer that the time of the actual birthing is set to arrive. So to, we should expect an increase in the frequency and intensity of the signs Jesus speaks about in this passage as a sign that the departure of His Church is near.
I have often heard a familiar phrase repeated over the years concerning this passage that you yourself may have heard or considered. “There have always been “wars and rumors of wars” correct? While you could make that argument, let’s not forget to factor in the “increase in frequency and intensity” argument into the equation. I think virtually everyone reading this has noticed that 2024 has quite literally started of “with a bang”. What follows is just a very small sample of what I am talking about.
Israel readies for war on 7 fronts as attacks recorded in neighbouring countries
https://news.yahoo.com/israel-readies-war-7-fronts-182517175.html
US, UK airstrikes pound Yemen for first time after weeks of Houthi Red Sea attacks
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-uk-airstrikes-pound-yemen-after-weeks-of-red-sea-attacks-by-iran-backed-houthis/?utm_campaign=most_popular&utm_source=website&utm_medium=article_end&utm_content=8
Video: US strikes 60+ Iran-backed terrorist targets
https://americanmilitarynews.com/2024/01/video-us-strikes-60-iran-backed-terrorist-targets/
Turkey launches airstrikes against Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria after 9 soldiers were killed
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/turkey-launches-airstrikes-kurdish-militants-iraq-syria-after-106346857
North Korea set to send new class of missiles to Russia, Seoul says
https://americanmilitarynews.com/2024/01/north-korea-set-to-send-new-class-of-missiles-to-russia-seoul-says/
Ukraine war: What Russia's escalating air attacks mean
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67871729
China's Xi says 'reunification' with Taiwan is inevitable
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-calls-taiwan-president-frontrunner-destroyer-peace-2023-12-31/
Iran’s IRGC claims missile strike targeted Mossad ‘espionage headquarters’ in Iraqi Kurdistan
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/irans-irgc-claims-missile-strike-targeted-mossad-espionage-headquarters-in-iraqi-kurdistan/
Pakistan condemns deadly Iranian missile strike on its territory
https://news.yahoo.com/pakistan-says-children-killed-iranian-232500372.html
Iranian ballistic missiles strike near U.S. facilities in northern Iraq
https://news.yahoo.com/u-says-no-damage-injuries-025327298.html
North Korea's Kim Jong Un preparing for war − citing 'unprecedented' US behavior
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/12/28/north-korea-kim-jong-un-war-preparations/72047125007/
As Iran Escalates, Rising Risk of a Wider Regional War
https://www.newsmax.com/world/globaltalk/iran-pakistan-baluchistan-strike-tensions-israel-hamas/2024/01/17/id/1149961/
China Conducts Large Military Maneuvers Around Taiwan As Fears Of Invasion Loom
https://www.dailywire.com/news/china-conducts-large-military-maneuvers-around-taiwan-as-fears-of-invasion-loom
Expect a Chinese show of force against Taiwan soon, says INDOPACOM head
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2024/01/expect-chinese-show-force-against-taiwan-soon-says-indopacom-head/393418/
All Of A Sudden, Leaders All Over The World Are Warning That World War III Is Very Close
https://endoftheamericandream.com/all-of-a-sudden-leaders-all-over-the-world-are-warning-that-world-war-iii-is-very-close/
When I consider this passage where Jesus speaks of the signs of the end of the age, His comment on wars immediately focuses my attention on the wars that the Bible clearly tells us will occur. Most teachers and scholars, if not all, agree that these are Psalm 83, Isaiah 17, and Ezekiel 38,39. While there is some discussion on the possibility that the passage from Psalm 83 is simply what some describe as an “imprecatory” prayer, I believe that it does accurately predict and refer to the situation which we now see existing between Israel and it’s enemies at this very point in time.
The opinion of the political leaders of Israel, as well as the military, believe they are currently fighting a multi-front war being orchestrated by none other than Iran, who the Bible identifies as the protagonist of the wars listed in these passages. While it is to be expected that not all would agree, I find it rather surprising then that at this point in time there is almost universal agreement in the body that we are standing at the door of seeing all these things come to pass.
If you have chosen to study Biblical prophecy, I’m sure you have either heard or read that the most asked question concerning the end times is “Where is America?” in all of this? What I have always believed is that if the United States were relevant, it would be mentioned in scripture. The fact that it seems to be absent lends weight to the idea that for one reason or another, America as we know it is rendered irrelevant. Considering where we are right now as sentiment towards the conflict between Israel and its enemies seems to be wavering from our usual support from both the government and some of the populace, one has to wonder if we would come to their defense should an overt attack by Israel’s enemies were to occur.
I have reasons to believe that in the coming months we will see “these things” mentioned by Jesus begin to take place. I will elaborate on that next week but the most important thing to remember is this; if these events are staring us in the face, so is the rapture of the Church when all true believers will be taken out of this world to live with our Father forever in His presence.
I pray you are one of those who can truthfully say, I see and hear. The good news, the gospel of Jesus Christ, promises deliverance from this time of judgment by the gift of eternal life through the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. If you have never made the choice to accept that gift, I urge you to do it now by praying a simple prayer like this;
Jesus I know I am a sinner. I have sinned against you, but I know you loved me enough to send your Son, Jesus Christ to die for my sins and then rise from the dead so that I may live forever with You. Lord forgive me of my sins and come into my life and help me to begin to live for You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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