Matthew 24: 6-8

"Turkey deploys warships to monitor Israeli naval activity" "Egypt, Libya and other Muslim Countries turned over in Civil Wars" "Mexican Gov't Declares War against Drug Cartels" "Syria on the brink of Civil War" "War, WAr, WAR"

This year has been awash with wars and rumours of wars. Preceding this year, America, The United Kingdom, and others, have been in a bitter war against terrorism. Korean powers have tested long range missiles, frightening America into response for fear of war, and many nations have struggled to refine nuclear capabilities. We are in an age of unprecedented military uncertainty. There has not been a singular enemy in which one could focus on, as in wars in the past, but there have been increasingly bitter threats, attacks and escalating struggles. Humanity is at war with itself.

There is no other way to explain it. Nation has risen against nation. Long time allies (Turkey and Israel) have aligned themselves against each other in military posturing. Kingdom has risen against kingdom. The Muslim religious kingdom has moved beyond declarations of war into implementing acts of war against not only Israel but all of western culture. We are in a troubled time. A time in which flesh is not at peace with each other and desire the destruction of their neighbor as a group.

We must note that this passage addresses not personal struggles of one person against another but whole kingdoms and nations rising against each other. Binding together in a unity of destruction and hate. 

"6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled. for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom..."

Jesus knew that these troubling times of war were coming. He notes that in our nature during these times we would be fearful that we are in the end, but He reminded us that, although the troubles are like nothing we have ever seen and hate resounds around us, to be not troubled. Be at peace. He gave us the comforter which is the Holy Ghost which comes in His name. Yes,we are in the midst of turbulent times when we don't know if the next flight we take could be our last but take comfort in the fact that it is not the end for us we are here to do His work. Be aware of the signs of the times but no Christian should be fearful in this time for we have the answer!!

"7 ...and there shall be famines, and pestilences (diseases), and earthquakes in divers (many) places."

I am holding in my hand over 35 pages of raw data on deadly famines, floods, storms, earthquakes, and more that have struck the earth, escalating in intensity and frequency, since the year 2000. This doesn't even include the death tolls from these events which range from over 5 million in famines alone to countless millions from earthquake related fatalities. Over 5 MILLION people starved to death in as short as 11 years. This number only takes into account the tragedy from natural famines it doesn't even include the numerous millions dead from starvation in stricken homes that couldn't afford to feed their families. No one will argue that this earth is reacting to something going on. Most disturbing is the recent rash of devestating earthquakes in unusual and varied places. From Haiti up along the east coast through Virginia, from Japan to Colorado. With more than 252 since the year 2000, earthquakes have accounted for personal loss of life and property of an inestimable amount.

A surge of dangerous diseases and pestilences, with devastating potential, have risen up in the past few years. Sars, Swine flu, Mutant staff infections, West Nile virus and Avian flu. AIDS, and an increase in cancers and untreatable medical conditions just to name a few. As fast as we progress in the world of medicine we seem to be caught in a torrential down pour of new strains and outbreaks across the planet.

Reading the headlines it would be easy to be overtaken by a sense of hopelessness and fear. Yes, we are in a time when the signs echo, not just interpretively but literally, the words of Christ in Matthew 24. The end draws close, as the signs show us, but He told us to not fear that it is not for the church to worry during these times. We must continue to work the fields of salvation like never before, knowing that the end is closer, but also double our intensity in being sober and watching the heavens for his soon return. Remember the foolish bridesmaids that weren't ready for his coming because they fell asleep with too little oil to light the way. The danger we face is not knwoing whether  He is coming or not but in being unprepared for His coming.

I hope these words help to encourage you to be a soul winner and learn the truth like never before. I will continue with this study tomorrow and remember that if you dig there is even more in His words. Seek and you shall find. Be faithful to church and your leadership like never before and be ready for the end. God Bless you all and I will see you tomorrow.