MT 24:6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.

Ever since Israel became a nation in 1948 there has been constant turmoil over their territory. Now with the recent trouble in Lebanon this latest conflict feels different for some reason, and there is an ominous foreboding that perhaps we are entering what could be considered as World War III. We have had wars and rumors of wars all throughout history, but the spiritual signature of these latest events feels like something much more serious. Weather disasters added, things could get very scary.

Could there be a world war between Muslims and Non-Muslims? Things are all beginning to come to a culmination everywhere where diplomacy will no longer suffice. Jesus said that such things must happen but that we were not to be alarmed because God is still in control. God has planted a large harvest in this earth and it is time for all mankind to choose whom they will serve; God, or the Devil. Conflict and persecution have a way of revealing peoples hearts as to where their true allegiances really lie.

It seems that we have certainly entered the birth pangs described in the above scriptures but you have to keep in mind what will be birthed in the end; the return and rule of Jesus Christ in the earth. All these bad things that will be happening can be used as an evangelistic tool for leading people to faith in Jesus Christ. God knows exactly how to bring in this harvest so we must trust Him no matter how challenging or difficult things may get in the earth. This is truly a time for bold faith, not for fear.

HOS 3:4 For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol. 5 Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.