The Bible tells us that the earth began suffering from the time Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. God told Adam, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return." Genesis 3:17-19
Paul alluded to this reference when he told the church in Rome; "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subject to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." Romans 8:18-23
When Jesus was asked by His disciples for a sign of His coming and what to expect at the end of the age, He told them that there would be wars, famines and earthquakes but that these were the beginnings of birth pangs. Matthew 24:7
The earth is in labor awaiting the return of Christ. It has been in a state of decay and no technology in the world can prevent the inevitable from happening. Labor pains start out small and are spaced far apart. But as the time of delivery approaches, the pains gain in intensity and length until the baby is born. The earth is approaching its delivery from decay and we can expect to see more wild weather as the day of the Lord nears.
Jesus had a foreknowledge of what was to take place on the earth before He came a second time to set up His eternal kingdom, but warned that know one knows the day or the hour of His return. Yet He gave His disciples signs to watch for so they could stand firm to the end.
Paul also warned the believers in Thessalonica. "Now brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'Peace and safety,' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief." 1 Thessalonians 5:1-4
Jesus explained to his followers that the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations before the end will come. Matthew 24:14
He also quoted from the prophet Joel who had predicted that the sun will turn to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. But Joel also added a message of hope. "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the survivors whom the Lord calls." Joel 2:31-32
Jesus gave many signs of what was to come before the end of the age. "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in aguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:25-28
Instead of being worried and fearful, as Christians we should instead praise God that we are living at this time in history. The world needs Christ as never before and the harvest for the kingdom of God is plentiful but the workers are few. Share the hope that you have because of Jesus with those who are living in fear.
The final scripture in Revelation sums it all up, "He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen." Revelation 22:20-21
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