WATCH

 

Good day, I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

Mr 13:7 "But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.

 

Don’t miss the word “sorrows.” This particular Greek word here means “a pang or throe associated with childbirth. I’ve never given birth to a child, but I have witnessed the “throes” of labor in the delivery room. These pangs increase in frequency as the woman in labor draws nearer to giving birth.

 

Jesus was reminding us that we will always have wars, earthquakes, famines, and troubles, but with the use of the word “sorrows” He reminds us that all these things will increase in frequency and intensity.

 

That means that the fallen world (the world you and I live in) will experience these various calamities exponentially until He returns.

 

No wonder He concludes this section in the gospel of Mark with the admonition to “watch!” Mk 13:37 "And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"

 

Watch! Observe what’s taking place in our world in increasing fashion. Be ready for the Lord’s soon return. When He returns, let Him find you as the obedient servant, trusting His promises and obeying His Word.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word.