Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 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.”
Dearly Beloved,
Saints of God, even as we have been warned about things that has happened throughout human history, such as false messiahs, wars and rumors of wars, natural disasters (famines, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and droughts), and even pandemics and plagues; Jesus tells us to watch and not be alarmed as this is the beginning of birth pains.
Just as natural birth pains increase in frequency and intensity, so shall there be a worsening of these signs as the end of this age gets closer to the return of the Lord. The great persecution of the church and the falling away from the faith is evident even now. In the last hundred years, more Christians have died for their faith than in the first nineteenth centuries combined. This great persecution will weed out the false believers from the true believers in the church.
Many cults and false religions are drawing people away from the truth of God’s Word. We must study God’s word so we can discern the TRUTH from deception, falsehood, and lies. Some will fall away because of persecution and false teaching, but all who fall away will do so because their love for God has grown cold.
People of God, watch what goes into your ear and eye gate. Saturate yourselves in the word of God, and keep your heart and mind stayed on Him. Your love for God will be a beacon of light for others to follow. Keep your lamp trimmed and burning. Be watchful. If they say come, the Messiah is over there, don’t believe it! Even if they perform some great signs, wonders, and miracles, don’t believe it! Jesus said these things would happen, but for us not to be alarmed.