TIME OF TRAVAIL
by Dr. Ralph L. Keiper
S ome of t h e signs which precede the Lord’s return are those we have discussed involving deception and distress. In Matthew 24:8 we read, “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” This reveals that there will be a time of great travail and that now is only the beginning of sorrow. This expression, “great travail,” is very interesting. It has an Old Testa ment background carrying the idea of the pain which birth brings to wom en. Again and again the Old Testa ment prophets have said to Israel that the ushering in of the Messiah’s com ing would be preceded by great judg ments. Israel would suffer greatly, even as a woman in childbirth. Yet we know that when a child is born there is also great joy; the suffering is soon forgotten. Paul writes in I Thessalonians 5 :3, “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sud den destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” In the process of childbearing a woman knows, about when her child will be delivered. She may not know the exact moment when labor will start, but all of a sudden the day comes. For a moment, for an hour, for even a protracted time, there is intense suffering preceding the great joy of deliverance. So it will be with the judgment upon Israel. There will be those spasms of suffering and trib ulation. Doubtless those who are not familiar with the Word of God will not know exaclty what is taking place. Of the Lord Jesus, looking forward to the cross, it is written, “But for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross.” The same thing is said about us for, “We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be glorified together.” The sufferings of this present world are not worthy to be compared with the
glory that is to follow. Things may go very very well and the world may ignore the spiritual qualities and their responsibility toward God. After all, they can trust their own strength. But suddenly there will be a great catas trophe, a crisis will occur and this judgment will come upon man. In Leviticus, the guide book of the priests, the 26th chapter outlines the history of Israel in its relationship to God. The first 13 verses describe what ON TITHING I wonder why the' Lord did ask, For tithes, from you and me: When all the treasures of the earth, Are His— eternally? And why should He depend on us, n To fill His house with meat: When we have so very little And His storehouse is replete? But He said to bring our little And He would add His much: Then oil and heavenly windows, Would be opened at His touch. And blessings running over— Even more than has been told— Will be ours: but there's no promise If His portion we withhold. Are we afraid to prove him? Is our faith and love so small. That we tightly grasp our little When He freely gave His all? God will do if Israel walks in the light of His Word. There would be great prosperity for this ancient na tion. Beginning at the 14th verse, however, down to the end of the chap ter, God solemnly warns this people what He will do if they don’t walk in His light. Judgment is again severely sounded. In I Peter 4:17-18 the apostle points out that judgment always be- 7 — Roselyn C. Steere
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