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The Labor Pains of the End Times

Jesus names “labor pains,” signs that foreshadow the conclusion of history. Each of these signs has always been with us. The difference is that, like labor pains, they will become more frequent and more severe until Jesus appears.

The first of the signs is widespread falsehood and deception. Matthew 24:4-5 says: “Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.’” We see this happening already. Waves of deceivers have brought false, unbiblical “gospels” into the church, deceiving many.

Famine and Earthquake

In Luke 21:11, Jesus says, “There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” In other words, there will be natural catastrophes of staggering proportions, including plagues and terror and signs in the heavens.

When Jesus says, “There will be famines and earthquakes in various places,” He means in many places at the same time, all over the world. John, in the book of Revelation, experiences a vision of that time and he describes it using the imagery of a scroll with a series of seals that are broken, one after the other. The breaking of the sixth seal causes the stars to fall from heaven. The breaking of the seventh seal causes the crops and the vegetation to be devastated.

Yet, as terrifying as these signs are, Jesus reminds us that this is not yet the end of history. “All these,” He says, “are the beginning of birth pains” (Matt. 24:8).

Believers Will Be Hated

Believers will be hated because they proclaim the name of Jesus: “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” (Matt. 24:9)

Please understand, when the world hates us and persecutes us, all that rage is not directed against us. The world is raging against God. When the resurrected Lord Jesus appeared to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, He did not say, “Why are you persecuting my people?” Jesus said, “Why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 22:6-7). Don’t take persecution personally. Instead, count it an honor to suffer for the sake of Jesus.