End Of The World?

The other day, I was thinking about the birth pangs of the end times. That’s how Jesus described it as contractions. 

When Sam was born, it was an emergency cesarean. Casey was in labor, but not for long. I could hear a woman from another room as clear as if she was in ours going through contractions, though.

Clearly, it’s painful.

Every generation wonders if it will be the last one. Over the years, many people have tried to put an exact date on it. There are whole sections with books about the end times in Christian bookstores.

I’m here to tell you when it will really happen.

Let’s walk through Matthew 21:3-14.

“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.”

Matthew 21:3-5

Jesus warns that many will come in his name, either saying they are Him or acting in His name. There are seven people alive right now that claim to be Jesus. They are:

1. Imri Cristo of Brazil
2. Moses Hilonwane of South Africa
3. Vissarion of Siberia
4. David Shyler of England
5. Matayoshi Mitsuo of Tokyo
6. Bupete Chibew Chishimba of Zambia
7. Alan John Miller of Australia

Seven men around the world who each claim to be Jesus Christ

“6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.”

Matthew 21:6-8

Let’s talk about birth pangs again. Jesus said these things are the beginning of them. A woman can be in labor for days before noticing it. As the time for the baby’s coming gets closer, so does the time between the contractions. 

Watching the news feels like I’m in a boxing ring. The hits just keep coming, and all I can do is cover up. 

9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”

Matthew 21:9-11

America has it easy compared to the world. Go to the Open Doors website and see. China is currently destroying state-sanctioned churches. And the Uighur ethnic group… they’re being treated almost as bad as the Jews in Nazi Germany:

Chinese hospitals aborted late-stage pregnancies killed newborns in effort to eradicate Uighur culture, report says

China is using Uighur slave labor to produce medical masks.

China forces abortions, birth control on Uighur women to suppress population.

Database leak shows China jails Uighurs due to religion.

Don’t get me started on the conspiracy theories…

“12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold…”

Matthew 21:12

This one makes me think of America right now. These riots are making even the calm and rational people I know polarized. Plus it’s an election year, with both sides practically painting the other as the antichrist. 

“Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold…” (AMP)

Have you noticed it?

“13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations…”

Matthew 21:13-14

But nothing will stop God. Jesus, as saving King, will be proclaimed everywhere.

So, when will the end come?

“…and then the end will come.”

When God is ready. 

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9