"BEGINNING OF BIRTH PAINS!"

Matthew 24:3-14                              (ESV)

"3 As HE sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to HIM privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of YOUR coming and of the end of the age?"

4 And JESUS answered them, "See that no one leads you astray.

5 For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray.

6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.

7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

8 All these are but the "BEGINNING OF BIRTH PAINS".

9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for MY name's sake.

10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.

11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

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."

My second granddaughter is set to be born before the end of the month.  Remembering when my sons were born and the joy experienced from their appearance is something that will never be forgotten.  Seeing that joy reflected in my own sons and knowing the untold happiness that awaits them is something I don't have the vocabulary to describe.  The pleasure of seeing your kids holding their kids cannot explained!  I guess that is why they are called "grand" children?

Some births can occur rather quickly.  I was barely able to get into the delivery room with my second child before he was born.  But some births take a little while longer!  My oldest son took an extended amount of time getting here.  

JESUS told HIS disciples that when HE was come to earth again what to be looking for.  When HE said the "BEGINNING OF BIRTH PAINS" HE was not speaking of coming back that day.  I am told some women experience "contractions" for days, even weeks, prior to the birth of their child.  JESUS wanted us to be aware that the "contractions" may be unpleasant at times, but to FEAR NOT, that HE was coming back!  Matthew 24:14 says "and then the end will come"!!!

We have not experienced this kind of childbirth before.  We don't know what to expect nor exactly how to prepare!  The more familiar we are with GOD's Word and HIS revelations to us, the more comfortable we will be when the "BEGINNING OF BIRTH PAINS" start to occur.  "See that you are NOT ALARMED, for this must take place, but the end is NOT YET" is JESUS' way of telling us HE's got this and everything will be okay!  Child birth is GOD's way of allowing us to experience new life, and most times it is preceded by the "BEGINNING OF BIRTH PAINS"!  JESUS says "I've got this" and everything is going to be okay!!!