So much is going on in today's world that sometimes it gets tiresome trying to keep up with it all and make sense of people, places and events. Even though following current events and reading history are among my favorite activities, at times I get a little tired of doing so. It is very tempting to retreat into the personal realm and take a more passive approach to life. But something always seems to jar me out of that state of mind.
Usually it is an event in the Middle East or Europe that will do this. But the most recent was something that caught my eye while reading through the Gospel of Mark. I noted how many times Christ urged His followers to "watch" what was going on in their world.
Here is what He said in Mark 13:7-8: "When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows."
You will have to read a few newspapers and keep up on the Internet news sites to make sure you are aware of all these things.
Verse 14: "'So when you see the "abomination of desolation," spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not' (let the reader understand), 'then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.'"
You will have to dig a little deeper on this one. This will require a reading of history, the Bible and geography to fully understand its context and end-time fulfillment.
Verse 19: "For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be."
