CG7 and Matthew 24 Sorrows

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

In the May-June 2011 edition of its Bible Advocate, CG7-Denver’s had the following sermon adaptation from Kevin Robinson:

The instability of our world is felt in three major ways, mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 24:

Wars and rumors. It is generally agreed that the twentieth century was the most murderous period in history. And the world is getting more violent. Iran and North Korea are developing nuclear weapons, added to the countries that already have them. Our world shakes with the prospect of more violence than ever.

Famines and pestilences. World food production has increased greatly, but many people still do not have enough to eat. Europe has a surplus, and we should waste less. While Westerners eat to obesity, millions elsewhere starve. Our world shakes with problems of feeding its fast-growing population.

Earthquakes. In 2010, quakes devastated portions of Haiti, Chile, and Mexico. So far this year, New Zealand and Japan have suffered the same. Millions in earthquake-prone areas live in constant fear of the earth shaking beneath them — literally.
What to do in a shaking world like ours? The Church can say that earthquakes were predicted by our Lord long ago as a harbinger of much better times to come. Instead, we remain silent
about our future hope, as the world shakes in fear.
Not that the Church is totally silent. Christians are busy telling who’s wearing what and fussing about makeup, pants, and jewelry in church — while the world is shaking. We spend years convening boards, allocating resources, and laying small plans, while the world is shaking. We’re busy with inside rivalry and with who gets what position, while the world is shaking. We call meetings, massage egos, and plan the next conference, while the world is shaking.

The primary items that he discussed above were part of what Jesus referred to as “the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:4-8) (I will see no point into going into the internal problems that he alluded to that CG7 and various other churches have here).

But Kevin Robinson left out the first of the sorrows from his list. Jesus also warned:

4…”Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. (Matthew 24:4-5)

FWIW, I have suspected for about a year and a half that the beginning of sorrows may have begun on September 19, 2009 as the burgeoning ecumenical movement I believe is a major part of the sorrows actually beginning. It has mainly affected the Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Lutherans, and Anglicans so far, but inroads are being attempted with Hindus (see Zenit report Foundation Seeking More Than Hindu in India Schools) and others.

Of course, more of the sorrows that CG7 mentioned are in the process of seeing end-time fulfillment.

To quote Jesus further, He also taught:

8…And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (Mark 13:8)

Look for more conflict, disasters, and probably this October (near the time of the Feast of Tabernacles), 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?
Earthquakes Today and Bible Prophecy Contains a cool up-to-the-hour update of earthquakes around the world from USGS. It also explains what did Jesus teach about earthquakes and how the Bible describes “the big one” (as well as when it is expected).
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
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?