CHAPLAIN’S PAGE: THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS
UK
As all of our readers are conversant with the Israel message, Matthew’s description of the last days in chapter 24 leaves no room for complacency. How accurately Jesus describes the world scene for this end time period. One can almost imagine that the Holy Spirit sat Matthew down in front of a screen and showed him the action being played out on the nations at this time.
Until quite recently events moved at a relatively slow pace, but now they have moved on a gear and everything is speeding up. We see great tribulation and many Christians being deceived and following false gods. There are more and more distractions to tempt and steer us away from the Saviour than at any previous time in our history. It needs a conscious and determined effort to pull away from the mainstream and steer a new course.
At the time of writing normal daily activities have shut down and city centers are ghost towns. Row upon row of closed shops and nothing moves. The long-term effect on our economy is extremely grave.
Matthew continues in chapter 24: 7
“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.”
These words are a sure indication that we are entering into a new time period which won’t go away next month or next year. The world situation will deteriorate until the Saviour returns in glory.
The chapter continues and shows us that what lies ahead will be so alarming that it will be necessary for Christ Himself to intervene before humanity is wiped off the face of the planet.
Is it possible that man has come all this way through the ages to be wiped out by his own folly? If that was to be the case how could such wonderful prophecies as Isaiah 65:24-25 be fulfilled?
“24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.”
Has there ever been a time when all of nature has been tamed and wild animals docile like pussy cats? This wonderful glimpse of world peace is surely still a future that John was allowed to see in Revelation 20 and 21. Even such promises as these are not sufficient for some Christians who can’t wait to get beamed up like Captain Kirk from Star Trek. How can Christians simply bypass all those wonderful prophecies which so clearly relate to this planet? Their thinking shows a disregard for what the Scriptures teach.
Finally, I urge our readers to think and pray not only for our families and loved ones but also for our nation. A nation that has totally lost its way and the only way back is to follow the teachings of Christ who stated “I am the way, the truth and the life”.
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.
