Read: Luke 24: 6-8
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
Reflect:
I remember hearing a sermon in the late 80’s on the topic of a time of sudden events including the toppling of the Soviet Union, At that time many wondered how a nation could collapse so quickly. Today, we are facing a tumultuous time in our country. Following the lockdowns and economic impact of 40 million lost jobs, we are now facing riots in many American cities. I told a group of people today from different races that we were all in solidarity that the killing of George Floyd. People have a right to protest, but why are some burning and looting and killing other innocents along the way.
Another consequence of the economic collapse is the impact on other countries around the world. Other economies are dependent on ours and food may be scare according to some. On the global scene, China and Iran continue to make threats. Some may see our internal strife as an opportunity.
Is this the time Jesus warned about in the verse above? I don’t know.
Respond:
But I do know this. At the end of the verses above, Jesus describes these kinds of events as “the beginning of birth pains.” While I didn’t experience the pain myself, I was present for the births of our three beautiful kids. Birth pains bring life and that is why we should have hope in the midst of the crisis.
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