February 2003 Meditation
In Matthew 24:6-8 we read: "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars....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."
These words came from the lips of the Lord Jesus Christ, words expressed at the beginning of a discourse in which He spoke about the great tribulation that shall come at the end human history, culminating in His second coming when He will judge all the men and women of this world.
To enable us to recognize when the great culmination of human history is approaching, He describes the many things that shall come to pass prior to His second time; that is, He tells us "what shall be the sign of His coming, and the end of the world" (Mat. 24:3).
The description He gives bears a striking resemblance with our age. Are we not hearing of wars and rumors of wars...and of earthquakes in divers places? What a striking confirmation of the trustworthiness of the Holy Scriptures! What a powerful affirmation that we must take the Word of God seriously, and thus that "all these are the beginning of sorrows!" This means that more is to come, and that this world as we now know it shall once be no more!
My friend, do you take this Word of God seriously? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is coming again and that you will once be judged by Him? Are you prepared for the moment that you too must appear before Him to give an account of your life? There is only one way in which you shall be prepared for that moment: You must repent of your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, and only then, shall you be saved and only then shall the second coming of Christ be a moment of unspeakable joy.
If you have not turned to this Savior, flee to Him today, for He is so willing and ready also to save you! His precious blood cleanses from all sin. Therefore, make haste for your life sake! Do not rest until you find rest in the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has accomplished on the cross. "The end is not yet" (v. 6). It is still the acceptable time; it is still the day of salvation!
Pastor B. Elshout
