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Sorrows
by Michael G. Mickey (10-9-05) It's one thing after another these days, isn't it? September 11th, the war on terrorism, Gulf War II, the Asian tsunami, roaring and deadly sea storms like Hurricane Katrina, Israel's existence being threatened, the threat of a bird flu pandemic looming that could kill millions upon millions globally, and now this: An earthquake in South Asia has killed AT LEAST 30,000 people! What are we to think when these things happen? Are we, as Christians, to be disheartened, broken in spirit or afraid? Not at all. We are to be cognizant of what these things are indicative of - the soon coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Matthew 24:6-7 spells all this out for us, doesn't it? This is precisely what we've been told to anticipate will take place! Matthew 24:6-7: And ye shall hear of wars and rumours 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. Earthquakes As I write this commentary, my prayers and heart goes out to all those in South Asia who have been impacted by the massive magnitude 7.7 earthquake that has left many wounded, homeless, and dead, but it's only a snapshot of what's going on around the world, reminding us that Jesus Christ is coming soon and the Word of God can - and better be - taken as literal truth! Pestilences An Indianapolis Star article reminds us that bird flu is a clear, if not present, threat. If a bird flu pandemic takes place, reminiscent of what we have only recently realized was behind the deadly Spanish Flu of 1918 that killed some 50 MILLION people, it is going to be a nightmare scenario, one so horrible many are beginning to question whether President Bush is planning to impose martial law in an effort to contain its spread! Talk about a pestilential warning sign of epic proportions! The Indy Star article states the following, which should be of particular interest to those who believe bird flu isn't the threat many believe it may be:
Nation against nation Seemingly unimpeded in spite of the efforts of the U.S. and others, terrorism continues to be a major issue in the news from almost everyone's perspective, particularly, however, for those of us watching for the return of Jesus Christ! What many fail to realize is we can see the war on terrorism within Matthew 24:6 where we see nation rising against nation. The word 'nation' or ethnos {eth'-nos}in the original Greek can be defined as follows:
The war on terror involves radical elements of Islam, primarily associated with the Arab nations of the Middle East, attempting to impose their distinctively Islamic culture on everyone around the globe whose cultures do not worship Allah, with special emphasis being placed on subjugating the Christian world, primarily the United States of America, and destroying the nation of Israel, the birthplace of both Christianity and Judaism. Exemplary of what goes on daily in this ongoing battle - a sign of the soon-coming return of Jesus Christ - we see that the terrorist organization Hamas is presently threatening Israel after Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz recently said that "if Hamas, Zahar, and others continue with their Qassam fire, we will send them to where Rantisi and Yassin are." Rantisi and Yassin, you may or may not recall, were killed by Israeli Defense Forces in retaliation for terror attacks on the nation of Israel that claimed numerous innocent lives. In response to Mofaz' threat that Hamas' continued unprovoked attacks on
Israel from Gaza, which Israel recently handed over to them in a gesture to
bring peace to the region no less, Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar threatened Israelis
by stating, "Israel knows full well that every strike at the Hamas leadership
endangers the lives of Israelis who live close to the Gaza Strip." Much as Israel continues to be threatened by radical Islam, the United States has been impacted by a recent series of threats apparently targeting New York City's subway system. Christians should not be troubled or afraid! In spite of how troubling all these issues can be to digest on a daily basis, Christ told us not to be troubled for these things must come to pass, in spite of the fact what we're presently witnessing is but the beginning of sorrows! Yes, it is going to get even worse - far worse! Matthew 24:6-7: And ye shall hear of wars and rumours 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. Matthew 24:8: All these are the beginning of sorrows. The generation that sees all these things, we're told in Scripture, will not pass until ALL is fulfilled! ALL includes Christ coming for His Church, as well as Him bringing all this madness to its conclusion! Matthew 24:33-34: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. While no man, we're definitively told in Matthew 24:36, knows the hour nor the day when Christ will return, Luke 21:28 should set the feet of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to dancing! Luke 21:28: And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Amid the sorrows of this time, the beginning of which demonstrates the prophesied seven-year Tribulation Period is rapidly approaching, Christ's message to the Church is this: Don't be looking around you with your eyes filled with fear. Instead, lift up your heads and look up for your redemption is drawing near! Spunk up, Church! Jesus Christ is Lord and He is coming for us SOON! |
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