For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
~ Mark 13:8

Nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom.  In Greek, “ethnos against ethnos” (ethnic group against ethnic group).  On the Mount of Olives about 2000 years ago, Jesus prophesied in the presence of His disciples what the birth pangs of the last days would be.  I am of the opinion that we are living in a time when contractions are growing closer and closer together, and increasingly intense.  Just today I came across three different news events that seem to indicate that birth pangs may be increasing once again.

First, Moscow is demanding an explanation from Israel for the “aggressive actions” taken yesterday in Syria, when Israeli jets successfully targeted facilities containing Russian-made anti-aircraft batteries bound for Hezbollah in Lebanon.  Russia is a staunch supporter of the Bashar Assad regime in Syria, as are Hezbollah and Iran.  Weapons to Hezbollah are weapons that will undoubtedly be used against Israel.

Secondly, despite the loosening of sanctions while awaiting the next deadline for an Iranian nuclear agreement, evidence exists that Iran has violated UN restrictions by purchasing materials for their Arak heavy-water reactor.  The Iranian regime has insisted that the Arak nuclear facility is for research purposes only.  However, virtually the only purpose for a heavy-water reactor is to produce weapons-grade plutonium.  Likewise, Iran continues to develop Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM’s), whose sole purpose is to deliver nuclear warheads.  It will be interesting to see if the world continues to sit idly by while Iran marches toward nuclear capability.

What do these things have to do with birth pangs?  According to Ezekiel 38-39, Russia and Iran (along with several other people groups) will join forces to invade Israel during the last days.  That coalition is most definitely developing and advancing their purpose and agenda.  Meanwhile, Syria is the center of action at the moment.  Isaiah 17 tells us that, in the last days, Damascus will be utterly destroyed.

Birth pangs?  It certainly looks like it!  Signs of the times?  Most certainly!

But there is a third news item I found relevant to Biblically-documented birth pangs.  More than ever before, “ethnos against ethnos” is becoming the norm.  We see Arab vs Israeli, and even Shia vs Sunni in the Middle East.  The voices of radical Islam are becoming louder and louder…and more and more overt.  Recently, in al-Aqsa mosque, on Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a Muslim cleric very blatantly threatened to “slaughter Jews.”  Watch the 4:15 minute rant here.

We live in very perilous times on one hand, and very exciting times on the other.  Peril is indeed headed our way, and without the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, it will be unbearable.  However, these are exciting times for those whose Blessed Hope is the Lord!  We are promised to be saved from the wrath that is to come (the tribulation), and an eternal home with Jesus our Lord.  Thus, the signs of the times simply signal that we are a day closer to that glorious moment when the rapture takes us out of the chaos and into the presence of our Lord and Savior!

Indeed, these are signs of the times!  Keep looking for the Blessed Hope!