Matthew 24:8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

The thing Jesus tells us about the signs of the end times are said to be just the beginning of birth pains. What do we know about birth pains?

What we have hoped for is coming soon.

Our labor is just beginning.

The pains come closer together and more intense.

That is enough for now. We don’t have to try and make every birth experience about signs of the end because some labors are shorter than others and the conclusions are not all the same.

What is important to most of us about these signs is a desire to have a proper interpretation of the scriptures to support our hope in the promises of God. If our interpretations are wrong we can be disappointed. That does not mean the promises are wrong, only that our hopes might be driven by personal desires.

In relation to those signs and frequencies as indicated by birthing pains, are they more intense and closer together or is it just that news about events has come faster in this electronic age? It is faster than how information was shared 2,000 years ago. 

The very first thing Jesus had to say about these signs was this; Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.”

How reliable is the information we are gathering? With this new technology involving Artificial Intelligence illusions appear to be very real but are nothing more than creations of sick imaginations that seek to distort reality. The weak and sinful are drawn to the fantasy because the realities of this present time are ugly and dangerous. Or is my interpretation of the scriptures based more on a desire to see an end to all this rather than His second coming?

2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,

We are asked to gather together and talk about the scriptures with other believers.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

Paul uses the same warning first issued by Jesus even though he was not part of the twelve at the time that Jesus spoke those words in Matthew 24:4. While Paul repeats that warning, he adds another. A rebellion against the Word of Christ is coming. Or has it already begun? The Apostasy is predicted.

Daniel 12 English Standard Version

The Time of the End

1 “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. 6 And someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. 8 I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” 9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. 13 But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”

If anyone is wondering where the “bad news” is here in Daniel 12 it is this; the offer of salvation is time limited. It does not matter if you know what He means about time in verse 7, time has limits. It does not matter if we live long enough to realize 1,290 days or even last the 1,335 days, our days are numbered.

We live in the here and now and we are called to preach the gospel while we have time.

Matthew 24:14 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.

If we truly believe that we are seeing the signs of Matthew 24:4-13 then it is in the best interest of all who can be saved that we press forward with the gospel message.

Matthew 24:40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.

Matthew 24:41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.

Let those who have ears hear. The clock is ticking.