Matthew 24:3-8  And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?  (4)  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.  (5)  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.  (6)  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  (7)  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  ( 8 )  All these are the beginning of sorrows. (9)  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

We are living in the “beginning of sorrows.” The Greek word behind “sorrows” is odin, and its definition is vital: it means “birth pangs.” This is why we see the world’s problems happening with greater frequency and intensity. Like a woman entering labor, the world is experiencing prophetic contractions that are getting closer together and harder to ignore. These aren’t just “bad times”; they are the specific pains that lead directly to the birth of the Kingdom of God and the return of the King.

ὠδίν
ōdin
o-deen’
Akin to G3601; a pang or throe, especially of childbirth: – pain, sorrow, travail.

If you ask any woman who has delivered a child, she’ll tell you: labor is a game-changer. At the start, the pains are small enough that you might think, “This isn’t so bad; I’ve got this!” That was certainly my experience—until reality set in. Those “feelings” were a poor guide, because the pains soon became much stronger and the breaks between them much shorter. Jesus used this specific comparison for a reason. He wanted us to understand that the signs of His coming wouldn’t just be “bad events,” but a literal progression of intensity that cannot be stopped once it begins.

History repeats itself, but the intensity of today’s events is unprecedented. What we see now is a “perfect storm” where prophetic signs are occurring concurrently across the globe. Jesus pointed toward verse 9 as a specific marker—a time of intense affliction. The level of antisemitic vitriol we see today is a haunting echo of the 1940s, as Israel faces nations that openly call for her destruction. This is the reality of the hour we live in. My dear reader, don’t let your heart be troubled. These signs are the heralds of our King. Look up, for our deliverance is closer than we ever imagined!

Luke 21:28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

All the signs point to one imminent event: Jesus is coming to rescue His Bride. The Rapture is the finish line for the Church age, and it is closer than ever before. Don’t you want to be included in that headcount? Don’t let this world distract you from the invitation of a lifetime. The door is open, the Master is coming, and you are invited to join Him in the clouds.

Luke 21:36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

When Jesus speaks of an “escape,” He is referring to the horrific events of the coming Tribulation. This is a powerful promise that the Church will be delivered from that hour of trial. Scripturally, this period is known as “Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7). Since Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, we see that this seven-year period is God’s final dealing with the Jewish nation. The Rapture serves as the “period” at the end of the Church Age. Once the Bride is safe with her Groom, the spotlight of prophecy shifts back to Israel, preparing their hearts to finally recognize Jesus as their King.

My friend, regardless of your background or your perspective on these things, there is one non-negotiable truth: you must be born again to be part of God’s kingdom. It is no coincidence that you are reading these words right now; God has placed you here “for such a time as this” so that you might find salvation today. Don’t you want to be among the Church when she is caught up into the clouds to meet our Savior face-to-face? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!