THE BEGINNING OF
SORROWS
INTRODUCTION
The beginning of sorrows is described by the characteristics of the time leading to the end of the age. Matthew noted the words of Jesus concerning the beginning of sorrows: You shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pestilences (deadly diseases),
and earthquakes, in divers (various) places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:6-8).
The Beginning of Sorrows
Inroad to Destruction
The beginning of sorrows is playing out in the world today as unrest, turmoil, and chaos, become the norm in lands that seek to dominate and control with little regard towards sanctity of life! There is an inroad to destruction paving its way forward; as the evilness of man is manifested in an attempt to diminish the effectiveness of the righteous.
There is evilness that has erupted, to take captive the heart of man were it possible! There are dominating forces in the world seeking to overcome nations deemed as weak and attainable; wanting to control mind, body, and spirit of man, to make him as a puppet controlled by the puppeteer! Thank God for those nations, and individuals, who stand for freedom and dwarf any attempt to take away that freedom!
Warnings of the Past
The beginning of sorrows could readily be a factor if the warnings of the past go unheeded! One such warning: If the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end.
If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity (Daniel Webster). Many voices of the past have weighed in, sounding the alarm, towards the beginning of sorrows due to God-given wisdom being cast aside; allowing evilness to flourish, being proudly proclaimed as healthy and nourishing to the soul!
Refusal to Acknowledge
Sinful Ways
Prophet Jeremiah, in speaking the words of the Lord, said: Were they ashamed, when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush; therefore they shall fall among them that fall; at the time that I visit (punish) them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord (Jeremiah 6:15). The beginning of sorrows is when refusal to acknowledge sinful ways brings God’s judgment!
Jeremiah acknowledged God’s attempt to bring the people back to Him, saying: I set watchmen over you, saying, hearken to the sound of the trumpet, but they said, we will not hearken (Jeremiah 6:17). Jeremiah, speaking the words of the Lord, pronounced God's judgment: Hear O earth; behold, I will bring evil (calamity) upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts because they have not hearkened to my words, nor to my law, but rejected it (Jeremiah 6:19).
Beginning of Sorrows
Coming to Fruition
The beginning of sorrows, identified by the Lord, as previously mentioned, is coming to fruition in the hour in which we live (the last days). We are seeing abominations (hideous atrocities) being committed that fails to give recognition to the sanctity of life; even to the unborn lying in the mother’s womb!
In regards to what He revealed would take place, wars and rumors of wars, Jesus said (as previously noted) see that you be not troubled for all these things must come to pass! He noted that this was the beginning of sorrows; with other things too follow, which we are witnessing! There is a demonic upheaval in the land that is manifested through the ungodliness of man to dominate and prevail over any righteousness that would attempt to flourish!
Reverting Back to Pre-Flood
Days of Noah
The beginning of sorrows is that man is reverting back to the pre-Flood days of Noah; with the sinfulness of man bringing back the reason God destroyed the earth with a flood. Scripture reveals: God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth (pre-Flood days of Noah), and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (all the day), and it grieved him at his heart (Genesis 6:5-6).
Apostle Peter wrote: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water perished: but the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against (until) the day of judgment, and perdition (destruction) of ungodly men (2 Peter 3:6-7).
Sin is the Problem
The beginning of sorrows is when man refuses to realize that sin is his problem; relishing in the fleshly desires so readily enhanced, through a world of electronics that is cultivating the elements of evilness to max availability, that previously did not exist!
Apostle Peter gave a reason why judgment has been forestalled: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise (destruction of the ungodly), as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
The Day of the Lord
Apostle Peter wrote: The day of the Lord (destruction of the ungodly) will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with a fervent heat (possibly a nuclear holocaust), the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing that all these things (more than just a beginning of sorrows) shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation (conduct) and godliness (2 Peter 3:11).
Peter gave an assurance to the believer: Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for a new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. Seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless (2 Peter 3:13-14).
Two Paths in Life
The beginning of sorrows is when man chooses to ignore God’s Word; allowing the intermingling of the world, rather than complete obedience to His Word! Jesus identified two paths in life, saying: Enter you (the believer) in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go thereat.
Because strait is the way, and narrow is the way, which leads to life, few there be that find it (Matthew 7:13-14). It was noted that many are on the broad way that leads to destruction (eternal separation from God), the gate that leads to life is so narrow that few there be that find it. Christ is both the gate, and the way, and God enables men to find that gate!
Freed from Sin
In the Garden of Eden, the serpent (Satan’s tool of deception) made the forbidden fruit desirable to Eve; who gave it to her husband (Adam), both knowing that to partake, or even touch it, was condemned by God (Genesis 3:3)! Sin became a reality to every soul since that eventful day! Sin has flourished in these latter days ushering in the beginning of sorrows when one allows such to be applied to their life and forsakes God’s remedy for sin, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus suffered and died that through His precious blood; shed on the Cross of Calvary, one would be cleansed from sin! Apostle Paul wrote: Being made free from sin, we become servants (dedicated) to God, and have our fruit unto holiness (a new life in Christ) (Romans 6:22).
Problem with Us
is Us
It was noted that the problem with us is us! Some blame the ills of mankind on the surrounding culture, but after the Great Flood (in Noah’s day), people were given a fresh start; a blank slate to begin anew. What happened; the ancient evil erupted with a vengeance! The beginning of sorrows is when man forsakes the righteousness of God and takes on the unrighteous of man!
Apostle Peter noted: If after having escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, one is again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning (2 Peter 2:20). It was noted that the latter end is worse than their beginning, because they embarked on a course of action that undermines their profession of Christ.
Righteousness Outweighed
by Sin
The beginning of sorrows, noted by Jesus, is prevailing in these latter days; but real sorrow is allowing the fruitfulness of righteousness to be outweighed by sin that so readily ensnares those who walk away from a daily relationship with God, and the Lord Jesus Christ! There are many dominating influences available today that would ensnare and capture one’s attention.
Apostle Peter wrote: Beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:17). Apostle Paul spoke of those who needed to recover (come to their senses) out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at (to do) his will (2 Timothy 3:26).
Beyond the Beginning
of Sorrows
Jesus spoke of occurrences beyond the beginning of sorrows: They shall deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you; and you shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake (Matthew 24:9). Because iniquity (lawlessness) shall abound, the love of many shall wax (grow) cold (Matthew 24:12).
Persecution of believers in Christ is becoming prevalent; with sin abounding in lands that once flourished under godly principles and leadership, with many turning a cold shoulder to the things of God, allowing the intermixing of the world and secular ways to prevail, rather than the Word of God!
Thank God for those who stand for the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God, and are untainted by the world, or its allurements. Jesus said: He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved (Matthew 24:13)!
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