The Beginning of Sorrows

Romans 8:22
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Four hurricanes have struck Florida and the eastern U.S. in the last 6 weeks killing hundreds, causing billions of dollars worth of damage and leaving thousand homeless.  The stress from these storms is beginning to takes its toll as mental health officials report being flooded with calls from people distraught, depressed and anxious. Authorities say suicides and domestic violence are up in some places

An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck central California’s San Andreas fault today followed by hundreds of aftershocks measuring as high as magnitude 4.0. This moderate earthquake comes on the heels of last week’s swarm of small quakes on the California, Nevada border. 

On Sunday, Sept 26, the U.S. Geological survey issued a notice of volcanic unrest for the Mt St. Helens area after a swarm of small (less than 1.0) quakes at first seemed to peak on the 24th but then increased in number and intensity through the 26th. Scientists say that the quakes indicate an increased probability of explosions from the lava dome of this active volcano.

Seismically active Alaska has been on the receiving end of several moderate quakes in recent weeks including several in the 5.0 range.

A 3.7 quake struck eastern Kentucky on Sept. 17 coming less than a week after a quake of similar intensity shook central Indiana.

According to a story reported by AFP, On Wednesday Sept. 29, Earth will get its closest known shave this century from a major asteroid, a monster big enough to extinguish billions of lives were it ever to collide with the planet. But, in contrast to the warnings of a handful of doomsayers, scientists say the peril from this rock is negligible.

The U.S. war on terror continues in Iraq as coalition troops battle insurgent forces of Islamic extremists in and around Najaf and Fallujah.  Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi spoke before congress this week saying that we are succeeding in Iraq and proclaiming that the nationwide elections planned for January 2005 will go ahead as scheduled

Reports from Iran indicate that the regime’s nuclear development intensified last week as Tehran began converting raw uranium into the gas needed for enrichment, an important step in making a nuclear bomb. In another troubling development for the region it was reported that Iran has acquired a new medium range ballistic missile that is capable of reaching London, Berlin, and Paris as well as all of Africa and most of Asia. Iranian officials say that any attempt by the U.S. or Israel to prevent them from developing nuclear capability will be resisted in the strongest possible terms. 

World Net Daily  has reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is attempting to broker a deal with Iran to secure safe haven for a group of Iraqi nuclear scientists who were sent by Saddam Hussein to Damascus before the U.S. invasion.  Many believe that Hussein also shipped stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons to Syria prior to the war.

What in the world is going on?

Luke 21:9-11
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. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Jesus said the signs we are now seeing are only the beginning of sorrows. He went on to say that eventually there would come such great distress that men’s hearts will fail them for fear of what is coming upon the earth.

But for his disciples he said that when we see these things we should look up because our redemption draws near.

Don’t be afraid. Paul said that the creation itself is waiting in earnest expectation for the manifestation of the sons of God. That is what is happening. The creation is groaning in travail as the very character and nature of Christ is being formed in us.

Now is the time that the world should begin to see a real difference between those of us who are Jesus disciples and everyone else. While most people wonder and fear, we should be filled with joy at the expectation of our soon emancipation from this world of sin.

As we see these things continue and intensify our response should be to draw even closer to Him. We should use this as an opportunity to give an answer to everyone who asks the reason for the hope which is within us.

God is calling forth the first fruits of His spirit. Do you hear the call? Do have a longing to sanctify yourself, to leave behind the cares and deceitfulness of this world system and follow Him?  If you hear Him calling, you must obey.

Set aside the temporal things of this world. Take hold of the eternal things of God. Die to yourself, to your will, to your desires. Seek Him. Mortify the deeds of the body that you may live. Be led by the Spirit of God in all things that you might become a true Son of God!

Rom 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

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originally published 9-27-04

Steve Lumbley 2004  www.apostasywatch.com
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