TIME OF TRAVAIL
By W. G. Guy
Jesus told us that prior to His return there would be an intense period of travail, as in labor pains. This time of travail refers to destructive turmoil and shaking that will occur world-wide. This includes natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, and violent storms. Added to these natural phenomena will be man-made disasters such as wars, government imposed oppressions, economic collapses, diseases epidemics, along with all manner of human atrocities like “gender bending”.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 – But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
The societies of the world will think everything is going along just fine even though some can see or suspect things are not what they appear to be. Those who truly know the Lord and His Word are alert, reading and discerning of the signs. They will not be surprised by a sudden increase in great problems; this is because they sense the problems building as the darkness of evil is getting steadily worse.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 – But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
These will be perilous and dangerous times of great travail, including false ministers having a negative influence in churches and causing people to go astray from the Lord and live in increasing sin.
Matthew 24:11-12 – And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
At this very time, in the year 2022, we are already experiencing much of what Jesus warned us about what was coming prior to His return. This is especially true, both in the natural disasters now occurring, and even more so in the politics and governments of what used to be considered western Christian nations like Australia, Europe and the United States. Such governments are now even referring to Christians, Conservatives and Patriots as terrorists and enemies of the state.
Such wickedness is of Satan who hates God, Christ and those who follow Him. He wants their ruin and destruction, and will cause all manner of affliction to them. Those who know not Christ will be our opposition, servants serving Satan, as Jesus stated:
Matthew 10:34 – Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
As these days unfold, we will see more and more opposition to Christ, defiance of His Word, His people, and the true church referred to as the Body of Christ. This has been going on since Jesus first came, but is getting more intense as that day approaches.
Romans 8:18-19 – For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Romans 8:22 – For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Jesus told us that we need to prepare for such travail by maintaining close fellowship with Him, in His Word, and in prayer.
Luke 21:34-36 – And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Believers need to maintain this alertness because everyone else will be so preoccupied with the bad news of what is going on around them that their focus will only be on their own circumstances. We are warned to not be caught off guard because His coming for us will come at a time that is not expected and will catch people by surprise.
Matthew 24:24 – Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Luke 12:40 – Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
As these times of increased travail fall on the world, do not allow yourself to be swayed by the news of what is going on, or by pressure from government or non-governmental institutions, (like the WHO, CDC, FDA, etc.), making you do things that go against God and His Word.
Matthew 10:32-33 – Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
We are entering the trying time of great travail, just as Jesus warned we would experience. All the signs that He identified are present now. We need to stand strong and help others to do also. This is an eternal conflict, and Jesus gave us what we need to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-18 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Note that every piece of this spiritual armor is an application of the Word of God; so we need to know it!
Matthew 10:22 – And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Put your trust in God and His Word and He will carry you through the days of travail that we have entered and are still ahead.
Isaiah 54:17 – No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.
Isaiah 26:3 – Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.
For even more assurance of His grace for you in this time of travail, read Romans 8:31-39, and several scriptures in Psalms like chapter 34 and 37.
By W. G. Guy
Jesus told us that prior to His return there would be an intense period of travail, as in labor pains. This time of travail refers to destructive turmoil and shaking that will occur world-wide. This includes natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, and violent storms. Added to these natural phenomena will be man-made disasters such as wars, government imposed oppressions, economic collapses, diseases epidemics, along with all manner of human atrocities like “gender bending”.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 – But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
The societies of the world will think everything is going along just fine even though some can see or suspect things are not what they appear to be. Those who truly know the Lord and His Word are alert, reading and discerning of the signs. They will not be surprised by a sudden increase in great problems; this is because they sense the problems building as the darkness of evil is getting steadily worse.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 – But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
These will be perilous and dangerous times of great travail, including false ministers having a negative influence in churches and causing people to go astray from the Lord and live in increasing sin.
Matthew 24:11-12 – And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
At this very time, in the year 2022, we are already experiencing much of what Jesus warned us about what was coming prior to His return. This is especially true, both in the natural disasters now occurring, and even more so in the politics and governments of what used to be considered western Christian nations like Australia, Europe and the United States. Such governments are now even referring to Christians, Conservatives and Patriots as terrorists and enemies of the state.
Such wickedness is of Satan who hates God, Christ and those who follow Him. He wants their ruin and destruction, and will cause all manner of affliction to them. Those who know not Christ will be our opposition, servants serving Satan, as Jesus stated:
Matthew 10:34 – Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
As these days unfold, we will see more and more opposition to Christ, defiance of His Word, His people, and the true church referred to as the Body of Christ. This has been going on since Jesus first came, but is getting more intense as that day approaches.
Romans 8:18-19 – For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Romans 8:22 – For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Jesus told us that we need to prepare for such travail by maintaining close fellowship with Him, in His Word, and in prayer.
Luke 21:34-36 – And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Believers need to maintain this alertness because everyone else will be so preoccupied with the bad news of what is going on around them that their focus will only be on their own circumstances. We are warned to not be caught off guard because His coming for us will come at a time that is not expected and will catch people by surprise.
Matthew 24:24 – Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Luke 12:40 – Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
As these times of increased travail fall on the world, do not allow yourself to be swayed by the news of what is going on, or by pressure from government or non-governmental institutions, (like the WHO, CDC, FDA, etc.), making you do things that go against God and His Word.
Matthew 10:32-33 – Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
We are entering the trying time of great travail, just as Jesus warned we would experience. All the signs that He identified are present now. We need to stand strong and help others to do also. This is an eternal conflict, and Jesus gave us what we need to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-18 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Note that every piece of this spiritual armor is an application of the Word of God; so we need to know it!
Matthew 10:22 – And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Put your trust in God and His Word and He will carry you through the days of travail that we have entered and are still ahead.
Isaiah 54:17 – No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.
Isaiah 26:3 – Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.
For even more assurance of His grace for you in this time of travail, read Romans 8:31-39, and several scriptures in Psalms like chapter 34 and 37.
