The world is not more peaceful since the Cold War ended; it is more violent. A University of Hamburg study counted 52 wars in 1992, the highest level of military conflict since World War II, and warned that further conflicts in the Balkans and the former Soviet states could erupt at any time. The number of violent conflicts per decade has risen steadily since 1945: about 12 wars in the 1950s, 22 in the 1960s, 32 in the 1970s, and 40 in the 1980s, with the 1990s projected above 50. This increase has come despite the end of the Cold War and the growing deployment of UN peacekeepers. In 1992 only two wars ended while four new ones began, and the United States and the UN could intervene in dozens of situations like Somalia. The New World Order is a violent place. This fulfills the second seal of Revelation 6:3-4, the red horse whose rider takes peace from the earth so that people kill one another. Christ's words in Matthew 24:6-8 point to the same thing: "wars and rumors of wars," with nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom, all being "the beginning of sorrows." The signs of Christ's coming appear plainly in the daily headlines. God's plan is moving forward, and since salvation is nearer now than when believers first believed, it is high time to awake out of sleep (Romans 13:11).

Jesus Christ, in His prophetic words, warns of wars and rumors of wars as indicators of the approaching birth of the Kingdom of God, likening these events to the initial pangs of labor. He suggests that while wars have always been a part of human history, a significant increase in their frequency and number will mark the nearness of His return. This escalation serves as a crucial sign, distinguishing these times from the usual occurrence of conflicts. Moreover, these signs must unfold in an era of rapid, worldwide communication, ensuring that disciples scattered across the globe can hear of these events almost as they happen. Today, with advanced electronic communication, the World Wide Web, and satellite technology, news of disturbances and conflicts in places like Tunisia, Egypt, and Bahrain reaches us instantly, fulfilling the need for alertness among all followers of Christ. In recent times, the United States has seen a marked increase in involvement in conflicts, averaging a war every 23 years over its history, with periods of peace shortening dramatically in the last century. From the long gaps of 33 years between earlier wars, the intervals have shrunk, with only six years between World War II and the Korean War, and eight years until the Vietnam War. Even periods without declared wars, such as the 16 years before the Persian Gulf War, were marked by intense global tensions known as the Cold War. Currently, numerous operations, often referred to as wars in the media, are underway globally under various titles like Operation Desert Storm in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, with the United States bearing significant costs. According to available data, there are approximately 41 ongoing conflicts worldwide, including unresolved tensions like those between North and South Korea, where ceasefires hold but hostility persists. These widespread conflicts and rumors of wars affirm the unfolding of Jesus' prophecy, signaling that we are at the beginning of sorrows.

Jesus' warning in Matthew 24:6-8 about wars and rumors of wars serves as a crucial guide in understanding conflicts like the current Israel-Hamas war. He cautions that such events, though troubling, do not necessarily signal the end, stating that nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, marking only the beginning of sorrows. Wars, even those in sensitive regions like the Holy Land, are a deplorable part of the human condition, reflecting the inevitable violence that arises from self-interest and aggression in a crowded world. Our Savior emphasizes that not all conflicts, regardless of their scale or location, indicate the end of the age; they are instead grievous reminders of human sinfulness and its destructive consequences. We must temper our expectations about the prophetic significance of the present war, recognizing that unless it widens to include other nations, reveals a strongman forming a one-world government, or initiates increased persecution of God's elect, among other signs, it remains a tragic but not necessarily eschatological event. As Jesus advises, our focus should be on seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, watching and praying always to be counted worthy to stand before the Son of Man.