11th November 2026
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: BIRTH PAINS IN THESE LAST DAYS
THEME SCRIPTURE: "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places." — Matthew 24:7
PREPARATORY QUESTION
When disaster strikes, what is your first thought about God?
Jesus, speaking to His disciples concerning the last days mentions conflict between peoples, hunger, and earthquakes. Some of these come from human choices. Others come from creation itself.
The Greek for "nation" here is ethnos, which means a people or group. Jesus is not only describing armies. He is describing ethnic and cultural groups turning on each other. Division between peoples is part of the pattern.
Then he adds famines and earthquakes "in various places." The phrase means these will be scattered, not all in one location. At any time, somewhere is hungry and somewhere is shaking.
Beloved, what is the purpose of these sufferings Jesus talked about? The next verse to our theme scripture mentions it: "All these are but the beginning of the birth pains" (Matt 24:8). See, a birth pain is real pain. But it is not the birth. It also has a purpose. It points toward new life.
This corrects two extreme views. One says these events mean nothing. Jesus says they are real signs. The other extreme says these events mean the end is here. Jesus says they are only the beginning. Both extremes are avoided by taking his words as they stand.
Birth pains also come with growing frequency and intensity. The picture suggests that the world's groaning will grow in intensity. Creation will be speaking louder to mankind of the impending end of the age
For believers, this verse does three things. It removes the shock of suffering to come, because Jesus named it ahead of time. It calls us to compassion, since famine and disaster mean real people will be in need near us or far away. And it points us forward. The pain is not the end of the story. It leads to the renewal Christ is bringing.
Key Takeaway
Conflict, hunger, and disaster are birth pains. They are painful and they are meaningful, but they are not the birth. Christ's return is still ahead.
Do not read every disaster as a prophecy chart. Read it as a call to mercy and a reminder that this world is passing. Give help where you can, and keep your hope fixed on His return.
Remain blessed.
FURTHER READ
- Matthew 24:7–8
- Romans 8:19–23
- Isaiah 66:7–9
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD
1. Where is there hunger or crisis that you could help meet this month?
2. Do you tend to dismiss these events or to over-read them? What does Jesus' teaching correct in you?
3. How does the picture of birth pains change the way you view suffering?
PRAYER
Father, Jesus named these troubles before they came. Give me compassion for those who suffer. Keep me from fear and from careless speculation. Fix my hope on the day you make all things new. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.