LABOR PAIN
The Bible presents labor pain as part of punishment to Eve for the first sin. The Lord said to Eve, “I will intensify your toil in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children” (Gen 3:16). Jesus compared this to the frightening signs before the fall of Jerusalem and before the second coming of Christ. The unexpected start of labor pains and the joy after giving birth are the points of comparison.
During the last supper discourse, Jesus said, “When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you” (Jn 16:21-22). Similarly, the righteous will find everlasting joy after the frightening signs of the end times.
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians on how to look at the return of Jesus. “The day of the Lord will come like a thief at night. When people are saying, ‘Peace and security,’ then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober” (1 Thess 5:2-6). The start time of labor contractions is unpredictable. Likewise, the second coming of Christ is something we expect but can happen unexpectedly.