Points from the Pastor's Pen

“The beginning of the End”
“All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:8

        As Covid 19 has spread across our planet I have had a number of conversations that begin with this question, “Is this the beginning of the end?” This is one of the questions the disciples asked Jesus in Matthew 24-25. So, I am choosing to point people to study Matthew 24-25 and draw their own conclusions. In this teaching Jesus gives us at leas six signs of the “beginning of the end.”

1) False prophets and christs. 24:5,11 “For many will come in my name saying ‘I am the Christ’ and deceive many.”

2) Wars and rumors of wars. 24:6 ”And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but the end is not yet.”

3) Famines & pestilences. 24:7 “And there will be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in various places.”

4) Earthquakes 24:7. “And there will be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in various places.”

5) Tribulations. 24:8,9. “Then they will deliver you to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of my name.”

6) The Gospel will be preached throughout the world, 24:14. “And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a witness to all nations and then the end will come.”

        Just a footnote here: As churches are mostly closed around the world, the gospel is being preached across the whole world via the internet as never before.

        Jesus concludes Matthew 24 by telling all Christ followers to “Keep watch,” because you do not know what day the Lord will come.” So as you study the Last Days teaching of Jesus, what are your conclusions? Does the Covid 19 qualify as pestilence? If so, I remind you of the words of Jesus in Luke 21:28 “When these things begin to take place, look up, and lift up your heads because your redemption draws near.”

Your Pastor and Friend,

Joel