“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.
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And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” – Matthew 24:6-8,14
Today, our year-long journey through the Bible brings us to these timely words of Jesus. War will continue to be a part of this sinful, fallen world until Christ returns to triumph over every opponent. As the people of God, we must pray and work for peace but shouldn’t be surprised when war comes.
Indeed, we should understand that things will become worse (far worse) in this world before they become better. Violence, warfare, and disaster are but the beginning. They are the pain that precedes the joy of Christ’s return. What we’re witnessing now isn’t the end, because God’s plan to redeem for Himself a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation isn’t yet complete.
Rather than be paralyzed by the news of yet another terrible turn of events in these tumultuous times, we must be energized to do the work assigned to us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We must proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom. We must preach Christ crucified and resurrected far and wide – in our neighborhoods and to all nations. We have important work to do before the end. Let us be found faithful!