All these are the beginning of sorrows. Matthew 24:8 NKJV

Are we on the brink of the end times, or are we merely witnessing the warning signs? According to Matthew 24:8, we’re not in the thick of it yet. We’re in the time just before it, where things are getting pretty shaky.

Jesus spoke of a series of signs that would precede his return and the culmination of human history. He called these signs “the beginning of sorrows.” It’s like when a woman is about to give birth, and those labor pains start intensifying.

Think of it this way: at first, the contractions are manageable, but as the moment approaches, they become more frequent and intense. That’s what Jesus meant by “sorrows” – things are going to escalate as we draw nearer to the end.

In the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, Matthew 24:8 puts it succinctly: “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” It’s a warning sign that things are about to get serious.

Take a look back over the past 25 years, or even just the last decade. Notice how major disasters have become more common? Events that used to be rare occurrences are now happening with alarming frequency. Jesus foresaw this trend, indicating it as a precursor to the end.

Matthew 24:7 mentions earthquakes, famines, and pestilences, which are occurring more frequently. Devastating earthquakes like the one in Haiti in 2010, famines afflicting various parts of the world, and pandemics like COVID-19 impacting the entire globe are exactly the signs Jesus warned us about.

It’s crucial to pay attention to what’s happening around us. Each major event serves as a reminder that time is running short. We need to prepare ourselves for what lies ahead.

Matthew 24:44 advises, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” We can’t afford to be complacent. We must be vigilant and prepared for whatever challenges come our way.

But amidst the uncertainty, there is hope. Just as labor pains signify the imminent arrival of a baby, the trials we face today indicate that something better is on the horizon. For those who are ready, it’s a sign of impending redemption and renewal.

Matthew 25:13 urges us to “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” We must be like wise individuals who keep their lamps burning, ready for the moment of reunion.

In summary, we’re not in the thick of the end times yet, but we’re certainly moving in that direction. The signs are unmistakable, and they’re becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. It’s time to wake up, pay attention, and prepare ourselves for what lies ahead.

—Josh Mullins—