Mat 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 rumors 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.

The Lord Jesus spoke of a period of time right before His return, that would be a time of sorrows. This is not the tribulation period but is the beginning of sorrows. The disciples asked Him "what will be the sign of thy coming and the end of the world?" His answer is found in the above scripture.

War

Rumors of wars

Nation against nation

Kingdom against kingdom

Famines

Pestilences

Earthquakes

He said that these things would just be the beginning of sorrows.

A person could say that these things have been going on for centuries but I believe that the Lord is speaking about a certain period of time, that is right before His return.

My personal belief is that we have entered into this period of time. I don't know when we did; I just believe in my spirit that we have.

When He says nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom, He is also speaking of a nation fighting against itself. Inner conflict, civil unrest, turmoil and division. Have you noticed the increase of earthquakes, pestilences and famines?

One major ingredient in the conflicts will be oil. The lack of oil will bring about the collapse of many nation's economies; which will produce civil unrest, which will prompt governments to take actions that will lead to armed conflict. The results of war and the collapse of economies produce famines and pestilences. Thrown into the mix is earthquakes and other natural disasters.

I don't want to sound like a prophet of doom but I believe that we will see an increase of these things taking place here in the United States. We have already begun to notice the storm clouds gathering. Natural disasters, division, turmoil in government, war, the lost of companies and jobs are but a few of the rain drops.

I should not say if but when, we see gas prices jump significantly as other countries have already done to $6.00 a gallon; our economy will plummet.

On the positive side:

People will be saved

Backsliders will repent

Sometimes a person must loose it all before they will repent and turn to God.

The Lord is preparing His church to be received unto Him, at His return.

Please notice:

Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

2Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Zech. 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

I don't know about you but if I were engaged to be married, I would not want someone who was unwilling to forsake all her other lovers. God will use this period of time to purify His church, to cleanse us from idols and ungodliness. Christians are to reign with Christ, do you think He wants a harlot for a bride?

Hebrews 12:6-10 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

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.

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