Section 3
when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be alarmed, for these things must take place first, but the end is not immediately" (vv. 8-9). The wars in verse 9 refer to all the wars from the first century to the present. They are signified by the red horse of the second seal in Revelation 6:3 and 4. "The end" is the consummation of this age (Matt. 24:3; Dan. 12:4, 9, 6-7), which will be the three and a half years of the great tribulation.
If we study history, we shall see that before the Lord's ascension there were not that many wars. But since His ascension, wars have been increas ing. There has been one war after another. The long history of wars from the time of the ascen sion until now is a fulfillment of the Lord's word in Luke 21:9.
In verse 10 the Lord goes on to say, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against king dom." The word "nation" here refers to people, to the Gentiles, and the word "kingdom" refers to an empire. The rising up of nation against nation refers to civil war, and the rising up of kingdom against kingdom refers to international war.
EARTHQUAKES, PESTILENCES,
AND FAMINES
In verse 11 the Lord says, "There will be both