What is the beginning of sorrows in Matthew 24?
The beginning of sorrows is the beginning of birth pangs coming on the earth as a prelude to the delivery from the curse. Scripture uses this language because the earth will be delivered from the power of Satan and the curse. These tribulation events precede that deliverance and are part of God’s payment to Satan.
Les explains that in Matthew 24, the beginning of sorrows is really just the beginning of the birth pangs that is coming on the earth as a prelude to the delivery from the curse. He reminds us that this is the language Scripture uses because the earth is going to be delivered from the power of Satan and the curse. These tribulation events, he says, are part of the things God will use to pay Satan off in full. Once this tribulation begins—the last seven years of Daniel chapter 9—Jesus is speaking to Jews, who will come under the particular wrath of this period. Israel has horrible days ahead: they shall deliver you up to be afflicted, kill you, and you shall be hated of all nations. Anti-Semitism will worsen, and many shall be offended, betray one another, and hate one another.
More Questions
What did Jesus say in Matthew 24 about the end-time tribulation?
According to Jesus in Matthew 24, the coming days of tribulation will be the worst the world has ever known, with nothing like them before or after.
What future time period does Matthew 24 describe?
The events Jesus refers to in Matthew 24 are all tribulation events that happen in the final seven-year period of prophecy.