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 15 Wars and Rumors of Wars

In a study published in 2014, there were only 11 countries of 162 that were considered peaceful.  Matthew 24:6 tells us that in the end, there will be wars and rumors of wars. It is not just your perception that the world is become increasingly more violent and unstable, it is a documented fact.  Watch this short video below, pay particular attention to minute 1:02, we'll pick up on that after the video.

Deaths in violent conflict have risen 210% in the last 5 years.  Terrorism deaths have increased dramatically, especially in the Middle East and Africa.  Armed conflicts, violent demonstrations, internal factional fighting, regional conflicts have escalated in the world's hot spots.  These are the headlines of the day, or at least they used to be... I fear we have become so used to violence and war we no longer take notice unless it touches home.

Peace and Security among Wars and Rumors of Wars

Let us again go deeper in this series and I'd ask you to take this journey with me.  I'd like to look at the most peaceful countries, those they talked about in minute 1:00 of the video...

1 Thessalonians 5:3 applies to them... It is largely Europe who has been on the military welfare of the US for the last 60 years, who are the largest critics of Israel.  They stand and watch while Iran, Turkey and Russia make their evil scheme against Israel (Ezekiel 38:13).  "We are facing many challenges in our communities and we are aiming to achieve peace and security and stability with the help of the United States," said John Kerry of the Iran Nuclear Deal (source).  Thus, while the nations rage - even the seemingly peaceful are powder kegs about to come under severe judgement.   These wars and rumors of wars have been with us for the last 60 years, but they are escalating... and have begun giving birth to the stronger birth pangs of Nation against Nation but we will perhaps cover that on another day.