“All these are the beginning of sorrows.”- Matthew 24:8
Recommended Reading:
Matthew 24:1-13
I believe the number one question I have been asked, in the past 60 days is, “Are we living in the last days?” My answer is emphatic, YES! There is no doubt, in my mind, that we are living in the very last moments, right before, JESUS returns! What an AMAZING time to be a Christian! What an AMAZING time to reach people with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Now, there are always people who claim to “know” when the Lord is going to return, and there are some who even step out as far as to “predict” a date. Let me just clear all of that up right now. THEY ARE LIARS. The Bible says, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” – Matthew 24:36
As you can see, the Bible makes it clear that NO MAN, not even the ANGELS know when the rapture will take place, only God the Father knows. So beware of anyone who says differently. They are clearly going contrary to the word of God, and you will have a front-row seat to watching their, “predictions” miserably come up short every time!
However, the word of God does give us insight as to what will be taking place right before He returns. Let’s look at the word of God.
In Matthew 24:4-12 the Bible says, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you”.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
Jesus gives us a clear indication of what to expect right before He comes to take us home. He said there will be wars and rumors of wars. Every day we hear more and more of this taking place around the world. Jesus goes on to say there will be pestilences(that’s plural). Look at all of the plagues, diseases, and illness that is all over the world… the latest being, COVID-19.
Jesus also says in the last days that famines, (once again plural), would take place. Literally, all over the world, we see this happening. Most notably, South Africa, where swarms of locusts have destroyed all of the food, and people are literally starving to death. Also, we now hear of the food supply chain starting to crumble in America due to Coronavirus. In my opinion, I believe soon, America will start seeing famine(s) hit our society. We are already in famine spiritually, but I believe we will soon be in famine physically as well.
The Bible also says there will be earthquakes in diverse places (once again plural). Now we know this word’s diverse meaning is two-fold here. One, it means in the most unlikely place. Two, it means in deep places, such as, deep in the oceans that then trigger tsunamis. We are seeing this come to pass as well. Each and every day we are seeing earthquakes take place in very strange places. Most recently, Utah and Idaho to name a couple.
One other interesting characteristic of the last days is found in verse 10 where Jesus tells the disciples that you will know I am about to return because MANY WILL BE OFFENDED AND SHALL BETRAY AND HATE ONE ANOTHER. Wow!!! If this is not NOW – I don’t know what is! I’ve never seen such a super-sensitive generation, not just outside the church, but it has POLLUTED THE INSIDE OF THE CHURCH! People are so easily offended, and at the drop of a hat, will betray you and you will become their hated enemy in a matter of moments! Friends we are here!
The word of God also points out that right before He returns that persecution will take place. Vs 9 of our text makes this clear. Now, many are saying, what we are currently facing with this virus, is persecution. I personally believe this is not true. I believe this virus is proving just how spoiled we are as a nation. However, I do believe, that through this virus, our government has tasted a level of power, and has been given a level of authority, that they will not be so quick to turn back over. I believe once you give the government an inch, you will then suffer the consequences of seeing them take a mile.
American Christianity does not have a clue as to what persecution is. Friend I hate to burst your bubble, but someone gossiping about you is NOT persecution. Friend, getting a flat tire or your heating and air unit going bad is NOT persecution. Getting a head cold, or even COVID 19 is NOT persecution. We have yet to see what REAL PERSECUTION is in America. However, I do believe we will see it soon! I believe there is coming a day where we as the children of God, are going to have to take a stand for what we believe in. I believe that many of us may even lose our life standing for our faith! You say, “DR I don’t believe that!”… my friend’s Matthew 24 is clear. I truly believe that America will experience true persecution right before Jesus returns!
So you may ask, “DR is this thing wrapping up?”, I believe, with all of my heart, that yes it is! I believe, based on Matthew 24, that we are so CLOSE to the return of Christ! I believe that soon and very soon, we are going to see the king!
One thing is for sure, we are closer today than we were yesterday! I can truly say, I AM READY TO GO! The question is, ARE YOU READY?