The disciples asked about the end of time. Jesus here answers them giving a list of things to watch for. These include wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes, an increase in wickedness and a decrease in love, false prophets and false messiahs. Jesus not only tells what kinds of events to watch for, but also why He is prophesying these events: so that we will not be alarmed when the occur (verse 6).
Many times over the years people have put together charts and timetables and timelines and calendars to predict exactly when Jesus will come again. Most of these people are well intentioned (I guess), but miss the point. The point is simply that we be prepared and not be alarmed. These cataclysmic events were predicted. Jesus said they must happen.
In fact, Jesus said that these events would be like birth pains. Labor pains get more intense and more frequent as the time of birth draws closer. In the same way, according to Jesus, earthquakes and famines and natural disasters and wars and wickedness will increase in intensity and frequency as the time for Christ's return draws closer. Even though things may seem out of control, they are not.
I don't think very many people would argue as we look around our world today that earthquakes and famines and wars and wickedness and natural disasters of all sorts are increasing in intensity and frequency. We don't know when the end will come, but we know for certain that it will come. And we know for certain that the events that Jesus predicted are occurring.
Don't be alarmed, but do be ready.
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