Complimentary Story
March 2026If there is one thing, I’ve learned from studying the Bible, it’s that every word and phrase is deliberate. They often paint a vivid picture, and when you take the time to truly consider that image, the meaning becomes clearer.
The phrase “These are the beginning of birth pains.” found in Matthew 24:8 and Mark 13:8, is particularly striking. At first, I wondered why Jesus chose that phrase. Then it hit me. Labor is not a simple, predictable process.
Most people think labor works like this: your water breaks, you rush to the hospital, and a day or two later you are holding a newborn. But that is rarely how it unfolds. As a mother who went high-risk overnight with one child and lost two others, I can say from experience that pregnancy and labor are not predictable. And that is exactly why Jesus said “the beginning of birth pains.”
Culturally, we have been conditioned to think of labor as one continuous event. In reality, labor is highly individualized, often slow, and sometimes irregular. The media frequently misrepresents the process, shaping unrealistic expectations. Even books, movies, and television often focus only on the dramatic moments, not the long, gradual phases that actually define labor.
Labor unfolds in stages. Early labor can last hours or even days. Contractions may intensify, then slow down, or even stop for a time. Active labor varies widely from one mother to another. Some experience back labor. Others face complications. False labor, such as Braxton Hicks contractions, can begin weeks to months before delivery, giving the body practice but not signaling the actual birth.
The point is simple: labor is a process. It does not follow a neat, predictable timeline. He’s giving a metaphor that makes perfect sense if you understand what labor is. That is why His phrase needs to be understood from a medical perspective to fully digest what He is explaining to us.
So, when Jesus says, “These are the beginning of birth pains,” He is describing a process, not a single sudden event, and not a single quick event.
In Matthew 24 and Mark 13, Jesus describes rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, and deception. These events have occurred throughout history, often in varying combinations. Like contractions, they can intensify and become more frequent, then ease for a time. Scripture shows us that our attempts to fix exact timelines for His return are limited. We do not know how long each “stage” will last. Most importantly, we do not know where we are within this process. Just as no two deliveries are identical, history does not unfold in identical patterns.
This does not mean we ignore Scripture or current events. We should read the Bible carefully and stay aware of the world around us. But we must be cautious about building an entire mindset around specific predictions. Fixating on timelines or events can distract from the very work God has called us to do: spreading His Word and showing His love.
Watch Out That No One Deceives You
“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately. ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘when will this happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?’” (Matthew 24:3).
His first response is what is striking: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name.” Before listing any signs, He gave a warning. His emphasis was not first on signs, but on discernment.
Throughout history, many groups have believed they were living in the final moments before His return. Some were sincere. Others were misled. The danger is not studying prophecy. The danger is becoming so fixated on our own current events that we neglect the commission He has clearly given us.
When labor truly enters its active stage, it is unmistakable. In the same way, the fulfillment of all things will not require guesswork. Jesus also said, “see to it that you are not alarmed.” That instruction matters. Because fear and fixation are not the commission He gave us.
It is also important to remember that while spiritual “labor” can seem intense and confusing at times, God is in control of the process. Each stage, each contraction, each pause has a purpose in His plan, even if we do not fully understand it in the moment.
Our Commission
Our commission is clear. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This command, echoed in Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47, and Acts 1:8, consistently directs us outward, to preach, to witness, and to make disciples. The focus is unmistakable: faithful obedience, not date-setting.
Birth pains, both physical and spiritual, are not linear or predictable. Just as early labor may linger with no clear signs, spiritual “birth pains” in the world may unfold slowly, with moments of intensity followed by calm. What matters most is our obedience, readiness, and steady trust in Him.
We watch, we pray, and we remain discerning, without surrendering to alarm or obsession over timelines. If we are in the beginning of birth pains, our responsibility remains the same: to live faithfully, share the Gospel, and trust God with His timing.
We also remember the lessons from history. People in previous generations have faced similar uncertainties that we face today. We cannot assume that our generation is the one in which He will return; many people in those times believed the same, thinking they were living in the final moments. This shows the importance of faithfulness over speculation.
The process will unfold as He has ordained, and our task is not to calculate the hour, but to be found faithful when it comes. Our focus is not speculation, but action: spreading His Word, loving our neighbors, and living as witnesses of His grace.
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