30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 15 1/2 Wars and Rumors vs. Nation against Nation

This bit is expository in nature.  We looked at Wars and Rumors of Wars, we've also looked at commotions, but I wanted to elaborate a bit more on how this differs from Nation against Nation.

To do this, I found this great article by Wilfred Hahn who writes:  "The timing and the roles of the two signs of “hearing of wars and rumors of wars” and “nations rising against nation” are very different. They do not refer to the same end time phenomena for at least two reasons.

First, they occur in different time periods. To illustrate this observation, we must note that Christ clearly partitions the Olivet prophecies into three separate time periods:

1. That which is before the “end” comes (“the end is not yet”);
2. the beginning of the end, which is also referred to as the “beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:9); and
3. the time that comes thereafter (events described from Matthew 24:9 and Mark 13:9 onward). These periods correspond to the time leading up to the Tribulation Period, the first half of the Tribulation (42 months), and the next 42 months, often referred to as the Great Tribulation.

We must therefore notice that inter-country conflicts are mentioned in two different contexts: Firstly, the “hearing of wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6) occur before the end comes (this meaning the period before the Tribulation period starts). Secondly, we must then note that the occurrence of “nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” unfolds at a different and later time. This phenomenon is clearly part of the time that is called the “beginning of sorrows.” “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:7-8)."

Prayers in a Foxhole

The original plan was for Day 16 (tomorrow as I sit here) to be about Kingdom rising against Kingdom but that does not feel right, so I'll keep myself open to the Lord's prompting tomorrow and let the Spirit lead.

30 Days of Birth Pangs - Day 6 Commotions

Luke 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

Commotions - it reminds me of my Dad breaking up a fight between my sister and I. "What kind of commotion is going on over here?"  The Greek work is Akatastasia and is used only 5 times and means instability, a state of disorder, disturbance, confusion.  Sounds like every country and city in the world right now, doesn't it?

Greek Protests

Greece - a country in absolute disarray.  Looming economic collapse, runs on banks, runs on food:  the whole house of cards is going to come tumbling down.  Italy, Ireland, and Spain will follow shortly thereafter.

Baltimore, Oakland, Ferguson - Commotion everywhere.

Africa - South Sudan, the world's youngest country, has about a year of stability after 23 years of civil war - fighting broke out 19 months ago and shows no signs of stabilizing.  Nigeria - terror from Boko Haram.  Fighting in CAR, DRC, Kenya.  Political upheaval in Burkina Faso, Mali, and else where.

Syria, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Yemen - all flowing with the blood of martyrs and deposed dictators.

Ukraine and Russia - peace talks and cease fires have collapsed and dozens of soldiers and civilians have been killed in the last two weeks (read more).

Global Conflicts August 19, 2015 (source)

In Mexico we have political and criminal unrest as a corrupt government fights with the drug cartels.  Venezuela has disintegrated under Chavez with the currency being so devalued it is being used as napkins (source).

Thus, our Day 6 Birth Pangs are well documented, commotions...

Lovers of Self - Day 1 - Rapture Index Score:  10 out of 10
Perplexities of Nations - Day 2 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10
Mass Animal Deaths - Day 3 - Rapture Index Score:  7 out of 10
Revilers - Day 4 - Rapture Index Score:  8 out of 10
Signs in the Heavens - Rapture Index Score:  9 out of 10
Commotions - Rapture Index Score:  7 out of 10