All These Are the Beginning of Birth Pains: Meaning Explained
Bible Study Guide (Olivet Discourse – End Times Series)
Jesus continues speaking to His audience of disciples and followers on the Mount of Olives about the last days. And He gives them a mysteriously ominous warning.
“All these are the beginning of birth pains.” (Matthew 24:8)
Before we look at the meaning, let’s examine the warnings Jesus has given us up to this point in His teaching.
| Watch Not To Be Deceived | Today, everyone is touched by deception in one form or another. We’re being flooded with deceptive practices all around us. |
| Spiritual Deception | Christ’ concern is for us to not be spiritually deceived. This means to be distracted by those things that take our mind and focus off Christ. Then refocused onto worldly things. |
| Wars and Rumors of Wars | The world is going to be plagued by wars. Wars that’ll rage between nations across the globe. Also, wars that will rage within families while Satan seeks to divide families. |
Now come the additional warnings that explain more of what can be expected as the last days of this age draw nearer.
More Warnings That’ll Be Part of the Beginning of Birth Pains
(Verse 7) Jesus points to a rise in global wars between nations and kingdoms, Then He adds new warnings to this list.
“There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” (Matthew 24:7)
But, why would He bring up famines and earthquakes? This is a great question. Let’s peel this apart and look at the meaning.
Famine used to be an issue we only heard about in third world countries. This is not the case today. Famine has reached our local communities and our neighborhoods. The rising cost of food and the absence of available food outlets (food deserts) are a growing problem and getting worse.
Food banks have become a million dollar industry and they can barely keep up with food demand. Schools are used to feed children during the off months of summer because food is scarce and barely affordable for many families with children.
Because all of these are the beginning of birth pains, this issue is going to grow immensely worse. Why? Because the Bible tells us so.
Why Did Jesus Warn of Famines In the Last Days?
Looking at the book of Revelation, famine takes an upfront role in the beginning of the seven year Tribulation period. A time when God’s wrath will be poured out upon the earth on unsuspecting people who’ve chosen to oppose God.
In Revelation 6, we see Jesus ushering in the the Tribulation with the opening of the seven seals of God’s wrath. When Jesus opens the third seal, it commands the third rider on the black horse of four horsemen of Revelation.
“When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” (Revelation 6:5-6)
Jesus is describing in this Revelation verse that famine is going to reach an unprecedented level that the world has never witnessed. He’s describing a situation where the average family will work an entire day to feed their family for one day.
Everyday will be an effort to survive hunger for that day. And there’ll be nothing left for other essentials. This is the reason Jesus gave this warning during His ministry. Famine is going to play a severely debilitating role leading up and into the Tribulation. The problem of hunger, unfortunately will not be solved in this age.
Famine is a tool used by God to lay judgment and wrath on a world of unbelievers. All will have been given the opportunity to come back to their Creator but most will choose to oppose Him instead.
Why Did Jesus Warn of Earthquakes In the Last Days?
Jesus adds another ominous warning to the list of all these that are the beginning of birth pains. But, why earthquakes?
The world has seen a significant rise in earthquakes and the activity that leads to these destructive earthly forces. Warnings from scientists of impending earthquakes continues to increase. Very little is being reported of earthquakes and floods across the globe. But they’re happening almost on a daily basis.
Why is it not being reported? The mainstream media, led by pagan elites are going to do everything they can in their power to not lend any legitimacy to the events Jesus described would happen in the days leading into the Tribulation. Further we get into the end of this age, the more things are going to be made to look like everything is normal in the world. The media will make sure of that. They don’t want the truth (God’s Word) to be seen as accurate and legitimate.
Why does Jesus warn us about earthquakes in the days leading up to the end of this age? Because, like famines, earthquakes are going to play a very destructive role globally as the chaos and confusion of the Tribulation is poured upon the earth.
What’s the Role of Earthquakes In the Last Days According to Revelation?
In the book of Revelation, earthquakes will accompany God’s judgments poured out through seals, trumpets, and bowl judgments.
“I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake…” (Revelation 6:12) – Sixth Seal
This earthquake comes with cosmic disturbances—sun darkened, moon like blood, stars falling. It’s a terrifying sign that God’s wrath is imminent.
“Then the angel took the censer… and there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.” (Revelation 8:5) – Seventh Seal
This marks a solemn transition into the more intense bowl and trumpet judgments.
“In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell…” (Revelation 11:13) – After the Two Witnesses Rise
This judgment causes fear and leads some to glorify God—rare in Revelation. But the Tribulation will offer a last chance to come to Christ and be saved.
“And there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth… the cities of the nations fell.” (Revelation 16:18-20) – Seventh Bowl Judgment
This is the final and greatest earthquake, signaling the collapse of human civilization, Babylon’s fall, and the ushering in of God’s final victory.
Each major earthquake serves as a pivot point in the apocalyptic timeline of the last days of this current age. The sixth seal earthquake moves us from warning to wrath. The seventh trumpet earthquake accompanies the declaration of Christ’s kingdom. The seventh bowl earthquake ushers in the final destruction of rebellious systems and the preparation for Christ’s return.
There’s spiritual significance beyond the physical shaking. Earthquakes in Revelation symbolize the unshakable power of God’s kingdom overthrowing the foundations of human pride and rebellion.
They serve as wake-up calls and calls to repentance. Though often ignored, some will come to seek Christ as their Lord and Savior during this period.
Jesus’ New List of Warnings About the Last Days
| Watch Not To Be Deceived | Today, everyone is touched by deception in one form or another. We’re being flooded with deceptive practices all around us. |
| Spiritual Deception | Christ’ concern is for us to not be spiritually deceived. This means to be distracted by those things that take our mind and focus off Christ. Then refocused onto worldly things. |
| Wars and Rumors of Wars | The world is going to be plagued by wars. Wars that’ll rage between nations across the globe. Also, wars that will rage within families while Satan seeks to divide families. |
| Famine | A tool of warning and judgement on a sinful mankind and also a condition brought about by humanity upon themselves. |
| Earthquakes | Also, a tool of warning and judgment. Not the end of the story. But the beginning of a process of judgment and wrath, then renewal. |
All These Are the Beginning of Birth Pains
(Verse 8) What is the significance of the beginning of birth pains associated with these warnings? It’s an association that begins just after creation and humanities fall into sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3).
The connection between Jesus’ teaching that “all these are the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:8, Mark 13:8) and the curse of pain in childbirth in Genesis 3:16 reveals a powerful biblical theme of suffering, judgment, and ultimate redemption. Let’s unpack the significance of this connection and what it means.
“I will greatly multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children.” (Genesis 3:16) – The Curse
After the Fall, God pronounces a curse on Eve (and by extension, all women), which includes pain in childbirth. This pain symbolizes the brokenness of the world resulting from sin.
Childbirth, once a joyful act of creation, becomes marked by suffering and struggle, paralleling how sin affects every part of life.
Jesus’ “Birth Pains” in the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24, Mark 13, Luke 21) are warnings that are not the end but the start of an unfolding process. Just like labor pains precede the birth, they first point to the pending doom of the Tribulation which will precede the coming Kingdom of God.
There’s Purpose In the Pain
They point to something new being born — the renewal of creation.
God’s pain invoked on humanity has a purpose. Theologically, this link has deep implications. Pain is not pointless. In Genesis, pain comes as a consequence of sin. In Jesus’ teaching, pain is part of the process that leads to redemption for those who’ve opposed God. This pain in Revelation is not reserved for those who’ll be raptured prior to the Tribulation.
What was a curse becomes a metaphor of hope — suffering points toward the birth of a new world.
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:22–23)
Jesus reframes suffering as something that leads to life. Just as a mother endures pain for the joy of a child born, the world will endure tribulation before the return of Christ and the restoration of all things.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Rev. 21:1–5)
Paul picks up this theme as Creation groaning and looking for the New Creation with the curse in his letter to the Romans.
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (Romans 8:22)
The brokenness that began in Genesis is groaning toward renewal, and Jesus marks that we are nearing the climax.
From Curse to New Creation
Genesis shows how sin led to pain in childbirth — a symbol of brokenness. Jesus teaches that the world will experience labor pains — symbolic of a coming rebirth. Just like labor pains, these warnings will increase in frequency and intensity. But, the curse of Genesis is not the final word.
Through Jesus, pain is transformed. It becomes a sign of hope, not just judgment — pointing to the birth of the New Earth and New Heaven and the restoration of all creation.
Jesus continues with other warnings that we’ll dig into in the next Bible Study in this Olivet Discourse series.
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