The End or Not

Reading: Hosea 8-11 and Mark 13

 

Scripture: Mark 13:6-8, Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 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.

 

Thoughts: Watching the state of the country and world today, I hear many people saying things like “The Lord is coming soon.” or “The end time are here.” The way I see it we have been in the end times since Christ ascended to heaven and took his place at the right hand of God. There have been wars and rumors of war seemingly forever, there are famines and earthquakes all over. Here Jesus responding to the disciples asking when things were to happen, “These are the beginning of the birth pains.” Ask any woman who has given birth what the begging was like verses how it was when the baby was born and you will learn about then difference between contractions 30-40 minutes apart and the ring of fire and why God put it in the minds of those who created the epidural. As the father of two wonderful children who regularly test our sanity I have watched my wife go through this twice. In the beginning we are at home going for walks and doing what we can to help her to be comfortable as her body prepares to give birth. With all that we are seeing going on around the world the are only the beginning of the birth pains. We need to not be complacent that every day we move one more day towards eternity but be driven by that thought that we are moving towards eternity. We don’t know if Jesus will return tomorrow or another thousand years in the future but we need to live as if it will end tomorrow because it could for someone. How little do you have to care about someone to not throw them a life ring when they are drowning. Let us toss the life ring, some will grab ahold and others will not accept it, but we are doing out part and putting it out there. 

 

Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for sending your Son, who took my sins, my failures, and washed them clean. I thank you that you are working in my life, that you are providing my needs. I thank you that you are molding me and refining me that I can reflect you better. I ask that you help me to grow my boldness and my discernment that I can overcome the evil one. Lead me and guide me as I go about my days.