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Author: Stephen Weller
598 words, 3 minutes read time

Wars and Rumors of War

Scripture: Matthew 24:8; Mark 13:7; Luke 21:9-11

We ended the previous lesson with a warning to not be led astray by those who say, “The time is at hand!” In this lesson we will look at several signs that indicate the beginning of the time.

^{Mk 13:7} “And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. ^{Lk 21:9} the end will not be at once.”

As I think about these two verses, I wish I could go back in time and understand why Jesus drew the connection between war and rumors of wars and the end. What did the people see as a connection? At the time Jesus made that statement, Revelation had not been written and so they did not have the seals to look at which suggest wars before the return of Jesus Christ. Wars and rumors of wars is a common occurrence of our sinful life and will occur until the new heavens and the new earth arrive.

Jesus said that the end is not yet and it will not be at once. This statement causes me to have certain thoughts, especially concerning the doctrine of Imminence which supports the return of Jesus Christ at any moment. When Jesus says that the end is not yet then I have to ask what must take place before the end? It is easy to point out verses in connection with Jesus, Peter and Paul that had to be fulfilled before the return of Jesus. I ask the question pertaining to when will things be completed so that nothing else has to occur for Jesus to return at any time?

For me a discussion about Imminence and the time of the rapture is not important, and for our study I will not say much, if anything, until it is clear that I should say something. For now, I rest in the fact that the end is not yet and will not be at once. When it comes the important thing is that we must be ready.

^{Lk 21:10} Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. ^{Mt 24:8} All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.”

Most of these signs given have occurred since Jesus spoke of them. As the birth pains of a woman about to give birth increase in frequency so will these signs increase in frequency as the time of the end approaches. The one that attracts my attention is “terrors and great signs from heaven.” What are these great signs and have any occurred yet or are we still waiting for them to occur?

Conclusion

There is no question that activity is increasing on many fronts, suggesting that we are drawing closer to the end. At my advanced age, I wonder how much more I will be able to see. I often wonder how close we might be to the tribulation period and wonder if I am prepared to enter it if the pretribulation rapture position proves to be false. If the church should enter the tribulation period it will surely be a time of terror for the western church because we have not been prepared through teaching or by having to endure persecution.