My family and I are now at what is deemed the “due date” for our second grandchild. This time Lily and Jordan decided to wait until birth to find out what the baby’s sex is. So, it is an interesting dynamic in today’s time. Most people find out as early as possible, and Lily and Jordan did want to – in fact tried to with home tests. Both tests came back as faulty due to not being done correctly in some fashion. They decided at that point that maybe Our Father did not want them to find out early and so – here we are… WAITING…
As of today – Lily has shown no signs of contractions or symptoms of labor, yet the “due date” is upon us. As I mull this in my heart some things really start to stir as to how believers are seeing this most unusual time in which we live. We know this is going to happen – no questions there – but the WHEN is what creates confusion. I think this is similar in our society today – Everybody is waiting for a “WHEN” to happen – good or bad.
Most believers, and people I speak with, want to discuss the politics and situations of masks, election, policies, pressures, and controls. Only a few want to discuss the need for the expansion of the Kingdom and how to begin to see that happen to a greater degree. As a part of a few prayer meetings – we engage the Father on issues which are geared towards the times in which we live, the pressures of interpersonal offenses, work or the lack thereof, new Social Justice policies being implemented, and our earthly leaders – and this seems to dominate the prayer cycles. I am then reminded what the Father spoke to me early on in this season – “The Kingdom of God suffers violence – and the violent take (achieve) it by force.” The Kingdom and its expansion – by reaching out in prayer and the display of the Gospel of the Kingdom must be preeminent right now – MORE and MORE. So, what does that look like? How do we see that happen?
I believe we are awaiting many social birth pangs, which may be coming soon. Yes, we have seen the beginnings of them – cries include but are not limited to – “defund the police…” “reparations…” “Mask mandates…” “social distancing…” “school openings/closings….” “racism…” “flatten the curve…” etc. But again, these are beginnings – not permanent policies – yet…
There is also a faint voice in the background crying out in the name of Jesus…”The Kingdom of God is here…: “revival…” “we need to pray and fast…” – and these cries are much more in the distance than the others – and it is this voice I wish to focus on.
Websters defines birth pangs – two ways – 1 – one of the regularly recurrent pains that are characteristic of childbirth —usually used in plural. And 2 – disorder and distress incident especially to a major social change. I realized after seeing this my family is living in waiting for both of these definitions today.
Matthew 24: 7-14 says “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
First realize that Jesus is speaking here to the Jewish people living in captivity in the Roman Empire. However, this does speak about the time in which to come and we can relate this to us today for that reason. The beginning of the birth pangs begin with global seismic and weather events – then persecutions; which includes hatred by the world against believers for the sake of HIS NAME (KEY ELEMENT HERE) – Then many who were a part of the family of God WILL fall away and betray and hate one another, while thinking they are still in the family of God. False prophets and cults will form creating much deception. Because there has been an attraction to the world’s systems, finances, entertainment, media, and values by all of the above – the love for God in those will diminish greatly to zero – BUT those who decide not to allow that to happen in their lives and their families will be counted in the family of God – Then Jesus describes that The Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached to all the world…So again – What is it, and how will that happen?
The Gospel of the Kingdom does not end with grace – it begins with grace and ends with the King. Some in the Body preach a gospel of grace, with little added for daily walk and accountability, including the mechanics of providing as such – with Jesus as Savior – only. While this is a good starting point in the discussion, the error comes with this also being the stopping point of the journey. The Gospel of the Kingdom continues to “taking up our crosses daily and following the KING…”, “Seeking first the KINGDOM and HIS righteousness – and all these things…” “GO into all the WORLD and MAKE DISCIPLES, Baptizing and, Teaching them to observe my commandments…” and finally, “The King comes in Righteousness and Justice…” and then also includes the passage in the above paragraphs.
In Western Society – We live in the most self-serving world ever, because the prevalence of information and the ability to distribute it – SO, the social and economic ills we see every day are never going to be healed without the Gospel of the Kingdom. We serve a KING – Yes, a Risen Savior – BUT HE IS also KING! We must re-identify who Yeshua/Jesus truly is – and act upon His Word to us.
I challenge you, the reader, today – ask these questions – Do you see the inklings of birth pangs? Has society changed enough for you to take notice of what is happening? When you hear that in this next election, if the President is re-elected, New York and California are considering succession, does that ring an alarm? (Wars and rumors…) When you see violence in the streets, do you think of Matthew 24? (Many will betray and hate one another…) When you see seismic and weather events does it ring a bell? (most earthquakes in last 2 years and hurricanes this year) – I could go on and on.
NOW I challenge you – What are you going to change about your everyday life to bring about the message of the Gospel of the Kingdom – EVERYWHERE YOU GO? – Start Today – not tomorrow! We need all believers to focus on this now…If you ask Him how, He will show YOU what your role is. I truly believe that…
