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Don't Panicby Phil Maxwell November 2002You are going to hear the noise of battles close by and the news of battles far away; but do not be troubled. Such things must happen, but they do not mean that the end has come. Countries will fight each other; kingdoms will attack one another. There will be famines and earthquakes everywhere. All these things are like the first pains of childbirth. (Mt 24:6-8 TEV)A lot of people seem to think that because these things do not indicate “the end” and are just the “beginning of birth pangs” that they are of no particular concern. On the contrary, this is to begin the process of distinguishing the children of God from the children of the world. By seeing these calamities coming and knowing where they are going, they will stand apart by not panicking in the face of these fearful things. The prevailing theme of this broad view of end time events is twofold: First, Yahshua said all He did so His followers would NOT be deceived during times when almost everyone else was, and, second, that they would NOT panic when everyone else did. Those who ARE carried off in fear will be given to deceptions that will lead to violence against the true children of the kingdom. Thinking that the Lord’s return is delayed, they will begin to beat their fellow servants and eat and drink with the drunkards, just like the Jews cast their lot in with the Roman government to execute Yahshua. (Mt 24:48-49) In contrast, the true children of Yahweh will see it coming, and will fear God more than death, overcoming the devil in the process: Then you will be arrested and handed over to be punished and be put to death. All mankind will hate you because of me. Many will give up their faith at that time; they will betray one another and hate one another. Then many false prophets will appear and fool many people. Such will be the spread of evil that many people's love will grow cold. But whoever holds out to the end will be saved. (Mt 24:9-13 TEV)The birth pangs have begun and will only intensify. There will be another major terrorist attack in the near future, before the U.S./Great Britain war against Iraq (and one other nation, probably Iran) is unleashed. Earlier reports slated that for December, but later ones say plans have been pushed back to January. In either event, the next major attack on the U.S. will precede and fuel the full scale, devastating, and decisive attack against Iraq that will follow. Don’t panic, though, for these things are necessary steps towards the deliverance of the saints, albeit through much tribulation.
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