As I prayed, read, and pondered the Word, I was reminded of Jesus’s words regarding the last days and His return. I do not intend to wade into the murky water of eschatological predictions but focus on the beginning of birth pains that reveal the time is short.

Knowing that it is near has multiple benefits.   It encourages everyone to get their house or heart in order.  Release all unforgiveness and seek full restoration with Jesus and total surrender.   It also enables us to avoid deception.   If we know what He said would be the signs of His coming and the end, then false doctrine and fallacious self-serving prophecies and predictions will not hinder us.

In Mark 13:5, Jesus said, “At that time, deception will run rampant.”  That sounds a lot like today.  I see more deceptive teachings than I’ve ever seen or heard.

In Mark 13:8, “For nations will go to war with each other…”  What’s new or revelatory about that?  The word “nations” is “ethnic groups” or indicating racial and cultural upheaval.   That is more prevalent today than ever, and countless influential people continuously fan those flames.  Why?  They seek power, and in war and discord, they find accessible avenues to enact their edicts of control.

There will be censorship of Christian voices and an attempt to silence the message of Christ.   It is happening.   The good news is that the Holy Spirit will guide us.

Jesus said in Mark 13:8b, “This is how the first contractions and birth pains of the new age begin.”

The Essenes calendar predicted the final Jubilee before the millennial 1,000 years would be 2025-2075. Jesus came early in the final Jubilee of the Torah age before the age of grace was ushered in. He was crucified around 32 AD. If the age is 2,000 years in duration, that would be 2032, and if His ministry was 3 to 3.5 years, that would correlate to 2025. I’m not predicting the rapture; I’m only saying The Time is Short!

We don’t know what tomorrow holds, so today is our time to get our houses and hearts in order.

Live the life He has given, and keep your eye on the ultimate prize.