In Matthew 24, 'the beginning of sorrows' refers to the opening birth-pangs of the Tribulation — not the end itself.
Jesus calls the wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes of Matthew 24:7 "the beginning of sorrows." Les Feldick explains that "sorrows" is best understood as "travail," the labor pains of a woman about to give birth. These events are only the start of the delivery process; the worst is still ahead.
Matthew 24:7-8 — These verses directly define what the beginning of sorrows is by listing the events and using the exact phrase.
In Matthew 24:3, the disciples ask Jesus about the sign of His coming and the end of the age. Jesus responds by warning them not to be deceived, and then describes wars, rumors of wars, nations and kingdoms rising against one another, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in different places. He says these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet (Matthew 24:4-7). In verse 8, He sums up all of those events with a single phrase: "All these are the beginning of sorrows." The biblical text clearly sets these events apart from the end — they are the beginning, not the conclusion.
Les Feldick teaches that "the beginning of sorrows" is better translated "the beginning of travail." He compares these events to a woman in labor: the earth has been under the curse since Genesis 3, and these birth pangs are the start of the earth's delivery from that curse. He explains that the scroll in Revelation 5 is connected to this imagery, representing the delivery of the earth from the curse instituted in the Garden. He also stresses that these events are just the beginning — as severe as they are, they are mild compared to what comes at the end, and they are not yet the full outpouring of God's wrath.
According to Matthew 24:7, the events include wars, rumors of wars, nations and kingdoms rising against one another, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in different places. Les also connects these to the four horsemen of Revelation 6, including the great northern invasion, the breakdown of the food supply, famine, and pestilence. He emphasizes that these are all "just the beginning" of the Tribulation's sorrows.
Les points out that newer translations often use the word "travail," which is associated with childbirth. He says the earth has been under the curse since Genesis 3, and the labor-pain analogy fits because the earth is being delivered from that curse. The early birth pains are relatively mild and far apart, but they increase as delivery approaches.
No. Jesus Himself said the end is not yet (Matthew 24:6). Les emphasizes that even the terrible events of the first three and a half years of the seven-year Tribulation are called "the beginning of sorrows" and are not yet referred to as the outpouring of God's wrath. The birth pangs continue to intensify until Christ appears, and His appearing is pictured as the delivery.
Les says we are already seeing the beginnings of these sorrows today. He explains that events are not going to suddenly burst out of a calm sea; rather, the stage is being set for the final seven years. The stirring we see in the world should tell those who know God's Word that we are getting close to the end.
Wars, Rumors of Wars, and the Four Horsemen
Les ties the four horsemen of Revelation 6 to the events Jesus lists in Matthew 24 and notes that Jesus said these things must come to pass but the end is not yet.
Sorrows as Travail
Les directly explains Matthew 24:8 as the 'beginning of travail' and connects the imagery to the earth being under the curse since Genesis 3.
Travail and the Earth's Deliverance
Les says 'travail' is the better word because Jesus is speaking of a delivery, and he connects the scroll of Revelation 5 to the earth being delivered from the curse.
Birth Pains That Increase
Les compares the events to birth pains that are at first relatively mild and far apart, and he points out that these are just the beginning of the delivery process.
Seeing the Beginnings Today
Les teaches that we are already seeing the beginnings of these sorrows and that the stage is being set for the final seven years, reminding believers that the end is near.
The Northern Invasion and Famine
Les links the northern invasion and resulting food shortage to the black horse of Revelation 6 and says Jesus foretold these as just the beginning of sorrows.
From Beginning to Delivery
Les describes how the last half of the Tribulation will become increasingly awful until Christ appears, and he uses that to illustrate the birth-delivery imagery.
Not Yet the Wrath of God
Les emphasizes that even the terrible events of the first three and a half years are called 'the beginning of sorrows,' not yet the outpouring of God's wrath.
Matthew 24:6: 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.
This verse shows that wars and rumors of wars are not the final event; they are part of the beginning.
Matthew 24:7: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
This verse enumerates the specific events that Jesus calls the beginning of sorrows.
Matthew 24:8: All these are the beginning of sorrows.
This is the key verse where Jesus gives the name "the beginning of sorrows" to the preceding signs.
Jesus says yes. In Matthew 24:7, He mentions wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, and then in verse 8 He says, "All these are the beginning of sorrows." These events are the opening signs, not the end itself.
Les Feldick says the word is better translated "travail," a term associated with childbirth. Newer translations sometimes use that word. The King James says "sorrows," but the childbirth imagery points to the same idea.
No. Les explains that even the first half of the seven-year Tribulation is called "the beginning of sorrows," not the outpouring of God's wrath. The wrath is specifically connected to the last three and a half years.
Because the earth has been under the curse since Genesis 3, and these events are like labor pains. They signal that the earth is beginning the delivery process, with Christ's appearing being the final delivery.
Watch the Teaching: What Are the Signs of the End Times? Matthew 24 Explained