Nations, Kingdoms, Famines, Pestilences and Earthquakes - Matthew 24:7

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus, “sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse seven of his book Matthew writes how Jesus shared about, “nations, kingdoms, famines, pestilences and kingdoms” where we read:

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

The verse reads, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:” Matthew began with the words, “for nation” which means “because, since and on account that multitudes of individuals of the same nature or genus” “shall rise against nation” or “will arouse, cause to appear and stir up multitudes of individuals of the same nature or genus in opposition and across from one another”, “and kingdom” which means “and royal powers, kingships, dominions and rules will rise up” “against kingdom” which means “in opposition and across from other royal powers, kingships, dominions and rules”. Matthew shared how “nations” and “kingdoms” will “stand in opposition” to one another.

The verse continues, “and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.”. Matthew added the words, “and there shall be famines” which means “and there will exist hunger as well as scarcity of harvest and foods”, “and pestilences” or “plagues which are literally diseases”: “and earthquakes” which means “and shaking, commotion and tempest of the earth”, “in divers places” or “in various and different inhabited cities, villages, districts and locations”. Matthew shared how Jesus said “scarcity of food, diseases and shakings of the earth” would occur throughout many different locations in the world.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the whole earth will be affected by these horrific “signs” before Jesus comes again and “end of the world” takes place. Hunger will be prevalent, and disease will affect people worldwide. “Earthquakes” will increase in their frequency and intensity as the coming of the Lord draws near. Anyone reading these words should easily be able to identify each of these warning “signs” from Jesus. God desires to “save” people from these awful events, and those who yield their lives to Him as “Savior and Lord” shall be saved from many of them. God alone knows the future for mankind, and although it is indeed bleak, those who are wise shall align themselves under the protection and guidance of Almighty loving and everlasting God.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus warns that, “All these are the beginning of sorrows.”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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