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'Christ in You...'
by Dale Krebbs
The Beginning?
There are several references in the Bible that refer to a “beginning” or “beginnings”.
Some include reference to an “end” or “endings” of an event or events. Jesus refers these dramatic events as the beginning of the end.
Sorrows and unimaginable suffer is described as only the beginning.
These, in most instances include in the context of crises. or times of crises, involving disastrous events, either locally, and in a few instances universal events involving the whole world. The Bible in most instances refer to an event that is considered to be a watershed event that is so dramatic that its occurrence is considered to be a “beginning”.
We see this dramatically in the Gospels referred to by Jesus. His references in two of the Gospels concerning worldwide turmoil are so profound that He uses the word “beginning” in the middle of worldwide turmoil as a “beginning of sorrows” because of the severity and universality of many worldwide events:
“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. . .” - Matthew 24:7-8
One can only image the full impact of the end time sorrows!
The worse we can imagine is only the beginning.
The accelerated pace of worldwide turmoil indicates the nearness of only the beginning of sorrows. Notice Jesus’ warning:
“While Jesus was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, and said, “Tell us, when will this [destruction of the temple] take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end (completion, consummation) of the age?”
Jesus answered, “Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]. 5 For many will come in My name [misusing it, and appropriating the strength of the name which belongs to Me], saying, ‘I am the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),’ and they will mislead many. 6 You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end [of the age]. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish and the time of unprecedented trouble].” - Matthew 24:3-8 (AMP)
But those who belong to Christ have hope, but we are instructed by Jesus to always be alert to what is occurring in the world…
“Be on guard and stay constantly alert [and pray]; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. It is like a man away on a journey, who when he left home put his servants in charge, each with his particular task, and also ordered the doorkeeper to be continually alert. Therefore, be continually on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— [stay alert,] in case he should come suddenly and unexpectedly and find you asleep and unprepared. What I say to you I say to everyone, ‘Be on the alert [stay awake and be continually cautious]!” - Mark 13:35-38
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