LCG: Beginning of Sorrows May Have Begun

“Orthodox” 16th Century Representation of the “Apocalypse”

In today’s commentary, LCG’s Richard A. Wilson had the following:

Matthew 24:6-8 never seemed more pertinent than now. “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”It’s pretty difficult not to be troubled. What can we, as Christians, do? Where is our comfort; our sense of peace and belief in the omnipotent God we believe in? How do we really get close to God and stay close to God in these trying times? The writings of Paul in the book of Ephesians give us advice. Ephesians 5:15-17 says: “See then that you walk circumspectly [carefully], not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Redeeming the time simply means we need to re-dedicate ourselves to a Christian way of living that is acceptable to God. It means living righteously and not giving any place to the darkness of Satan and his influence of wrongdoing and evil things. Ephesians 5:1-2 says: “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma.”

Yes, it takes Bible study, prayer, meditation, and actions in our lives and the proper way of worshipping God, as He has directed us by His words written biblically. In redeeming the time, we all need to go to God on our knees asking for forgiveness of our sins. We need to ask Him for more of His Holy Spirit so we can become children of light, not darkness. We all need to be reading and studying the Bible properly so we can have understanding while finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:6-11 warns us: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons [and daughters] of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”

If, in the plan of God for mankind, we are truly at that point where, “All these are thebeginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8), then we need to acknowledge that things are going to get worse. The earthquake tragedies in Japan, in New Zealand, and in Haiti are just the beginning. The political upheavals in the Middle East and the religious radicalism that is gripping the entire world will continue. Economic turmoil that seems to be spreading from nation to nation is not going to go away.

As Christians (believers in Jesus Christ), are we changing our lives so we can be acceptable in the eyes of God to gain His love and protection in these perilous and evil days that are before us? Are we bearing the good fruits that make us His children of light? Are we walking circumspectly (carefully) in this world and, finally, are we redeeming the time?

An earlier commentary by LCG’s J. Davy Crockett III, on March 8, 2011, stated:

Peace and plenty for all mankind will be achieved only when the Kingdom of God is established on the earth. Until then, you can expect greater disasters and you will see that what we are experiencing now is but, “…the beginning of sorrows.”

FWIW, I have suspected for about a year and a half that the beginning of sorrows may have begun on September 19, 2009. And as Richard Wilson wrote, we may now be in the time Jesus referred to as “the beginning of sorrows”. And if we are, while there will be some ups and downs, for the USA and its Anglo-allies it will only get worse as we approach the Great Tribulation and the final time of the Gentiles.

Look for more conflict, disasters, and probably this October, some report of famine, food shortages, and/or food inflation (cf. Revelation 6:5-6).

Some articles of possibly related interest may include the following:

Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011, 2012, or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000?Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the LCG views this, and compares this to Ellen White.
Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet”. Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it. Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?