For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginnings of the birth pains.” (Matt 24:7-8).
He says that disasters will come like birth pains. A woman who has given birth to children knows that no one can predict exactly when the baby in the womb will come to the world. She can know, however, approximately when: when her birth pain gets more and more frequent. Hence, the pains occur initially at intervals of several hours. Then the frequency shortens to, say, every half an hour, and then to several minutes.
Several things mentioned by the Bible have been increasing: wars, famines, earthquakes, sexual sins (in particular homosexuality). Take earthquakes for instance. There seems to be a spike in the frequency and severity of earthquakes over these few years: 9.3 in Aceh, Sumatra (2004); 7.9 in Sichuan, China (2008); 6.3 in Christchurch, New Zealand (21st Feb 2011); 7.2 in Honshu, Japan (9th Mar); 8.9 in Sendai, Japan (11th Mar 2011). There had also been several earthquakes measuring at least 7 on the Richter scale this year in Pakistan (19th Jan 2011), Chile (2nd Jan 2011), Argentina (1st Jan 2011), Loyalty Islands (13th Jan). People who live in Singapore can understand that the severity or birth pains of earthquakes have been increasing: We could feel buildings shake when earthquakes happen in our neighbouring countries like Indonesia. Before these few years, we had never felt such tremors.
Perhaps this is a one time off disaster and is not part of this birth pain that Jesus is talking about. Let us, however, be wise. It is also possible that what you see today is fulfilling what Jesus said over 2000 years ago. If it were, then Jesus’ return is near.
Dear friends, if you have not believed in Jesus, the Bible says that you are a sinner in God’s eyes because you have sinned against Him in your thought, word and deed (Rom 3:23). “For the wages of sin is death” which includes eternal torment in hell (rom 6:23). When Jesus returns, He will judge your sins and you will perish in hell for eternity. There will be no more chance for salvation. But Jesus loves you and has suffered and died on the cross for you: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This gift of eternal life is free. Be wise. Receive Jesus as your Saviour and Lord.
Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord, when Jesus returns, He will judge you: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Cor 5:10). His rewards are eternal. Stop loving sin and the world. Live holy lives. Bring lost souls to Christ. Be fervent for your Lord Jesus. There is not much time left to serve Him. Serve Him faithfully. You will soon see your Lord Jesus.