“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:5-8
Matthew 24 speaks of sorrows that will occur before the seven years of the future Great Tribulation. It warns that some will declare that they are the Christ, nations will war against nations, famines and pestilences will occur, and earthquakes will increase.
Many of those occurrences have happened throughout history. However, before the end of day’s tribulations, they will increase. The Bible says those happenings will be the beginning of sorrows to come.
Sorrows have always plagued mankind. Because of the introduction of sin by Adam and Eve, all experience hardship and great sadnesses.
Because we temporarily reside on a sin-cursed planet, all have and will experience sorrows. Even Jesus did, as was prophesied centuries previous to His ministry on Earth.
“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” Isaiah 53:3
Most will face:
Personal sorrows.
“I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.” Job 9:28
God allowed sorrows.
“How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.” Job 21:17
“Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.” Psalm 16:4
Remembered Sorrows.
“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:2
“For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.” Ecclesiastes 2:23 Also: Isaiah 13:7.
Forgotten sorrows.
“They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.” Job 39:3
Sorrows from losing loved ones.
“The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.” Psalm 18:4 Also: Psalm 116:3.
However, the most devastating sorrows will be experienced by those who have not been saved by trusting Christ’s sacrificial death to pay for their sins.
Sorrows of the unsaved.
“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.” Psalm 32:10
The greatest sorrow the lost will experience will be when one finds oneself in a tormenting, unescapable Hell.
“The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.” Psalm 116:3
“The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.” Psalm 18:5 Also: II Samuel 22:6.
One can avoid the sorrows of Hell by being born-again (John 3:3) into God’s family. However, even the child of God will experience many sorrows. Be encouraged, Christian; you are not alone in the valleys of despair. Your mighty God will be your guide and helper through the turbulent times.
“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:6
“For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.” Psalm 72:12 Also: Psalm 54:4.
