Phyllis Beveridge Nissila

All posts in this series available here.

My sister shared what we think is another important aspect of Jesus’ end times childbirth analogy. This phase of labor and delivery–occuring very close to the baby’s birth–has to do with when the mother’s cervix “thins”. As Claire put it,

Using that child birth analogy, as birth becomes IMMINENT, the cervix becomes very thin; in other words, the barrier holding one world from the other (inside the womb from outside) is dilating for birth! Physical exertion for both mother and child becomes very focused and intense! When the doctor says you’re dilated to a 10 there’s no stopping now.

The Prophetic Barrier

We discussed how the “thinned barrier,” so to speak, is analogous to a kind of wall, or veil, between one physical/spiritual world and the next, getting thinner, more transparent, as time goes on–and prophecy gets closer to the “fullness of (its) time.”

Just as the baby’s head begins to show, or “crown,” as the cervix nears the 10 mark, what might be close to emerging on the earth in the next phase of what prophecy scholars view as “end-times” may well be happening just now–and becoming more apparent to “onlookers,” that is to say, anybody looking on through a prophetic lens.

What May Be Emerging in Prophecy

Depending upon which interpretation of prophecy ones adheres to, this could mean either the figurative (and/or literal) bomb soon drops on the events leading up to Armageddon, or at the very least, the Antichrist comes into view and the One World Government  emerges. Those who subscribe to the doctrine of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture would suggest that is the next event. There are other views of the Rapture as well. (The one linked is a generic explanation of the various views, but many other summaries are available online and in print sources.)

And not only believers are noticing “something”.

Most people, I think, sense that a big change is due; they/we see, if you will, something very real is about to happen, the culmination of what’s been “getting bigger,” looming larger and more discernable, especially of late, geopolotically and spiritually, however one defines “spiritually” (some may define it as an “existential threat”).

Both believers and non-believers notice ever-increasing chatter using terms like “tipping point,” “transition,” and in the world of the paranormal, even “portals” to some other dimension getting ready to open. Not to mention the increase of lawlessness everywhere on the planet.

As my sister concluded her observation, “even a casual glance at the ‘symptoms’ around the world on every level could lead one to say we are nearing ’10’.”

Might we be that close to the “next stage” of prophecy?

(At this point, may I recommend taking a look at Claire’s prophecy charts that have been featured on my blog for several years, now, which can all be accessed here. In particular, my previous post on one of the “patterns” evident in God’s Word that may well point to a certain prophetic “juncture of time” that seems to be in the works just now. But, of course, prophecy teachings abound.)

In short, believers and non-believers alike are getting a little anxious about what’s probably about to happen as the world, too, seems as if it’s at about the 10 mark (just like a mother does before labor and delivery, especially the first time around).

But Wait! There’s Hope–and Encouragement–in the “Rest” of the Story!

If the timing is correct, and if you have been thinking about spiritual and/or existential matters of late, may I invite you to consider carefully something else Jesus said–even for this fearful and ominous season:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, NIV)

And not only a type of rest for here and now but also a “rest” for eternity, labor done, fulfillment birthed.

If we look to Him for help and information, we needn’t fear succumbing to the “lions and tigers and bears (oh my!)” of what runs amok in today’s world, indeed, we can even “look up for (our) redemption draweth nigh.”

How?

⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

Here is a sample of more detailed explanations of that phenomenon.

But two things are certain: baby will be born–and prophecy will be fulfilled–both kinds of events-in-waiting having come to fruition innumerable times, in each their due seasons, from the conception of creation.

At any rate, it’s worth considering that we might be closer than we think to the next (prophetic) blessed event.

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Here is a generic summary of end times prophecies; however, there are numerous sites available online for review as well as in many print resources, and. if you are a believer, your own denomination may have resources of its own available.

NOTE: in the meantime, while we are still “in waiting,” it’s a very good idea to understand there may be more “labor pains” ahead, some of them temporal, others, spiritual. It is always a good idea to review the “supernatural assistance” available to believers during such times of spiritual activity. Here is biblical commentary on these sources from our Source, Who promised to “never leave nor forsake” us. I offer, also, my own observations on “end times spiritual survival” for your reiview, if interested.

Image of pregnant woman sculpture from Wikimedia Commons