Please forgive the incoming wall of text.
This is where I believe I have seen these scriptures, Dave. There seems to be a deep meaning revealed? What do you think?
Matthew 24:21-22 Modern English Version (MEV)
21 For then will be great tribulation, such as has not happened since the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be.
22 Unless those days were shortened, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
Mark 13:19-20 Modern English Version (MEV)
19 For in those days there will be distress as has not been from the beginning of the creation which God created to this time, nor ever shall be.
20 “Except the Lord shortened the days, no flesh would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
Remembering Christ's words are spirit, I can't help but to think that this is a parable of the "few chosen".
Joh_16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
1Th 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
1Th 3:4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
If I was an Elect, how merciful of Him would it be if He shortened the days of MY "great tribulation"? I believe the tribulation of the Saints is related to judgment, because it teaches Godly character. Judgment through tribulation is training.
Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Rom 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Some would say it's always been this bad, and even worse at other times in history, but when God opens your eyes, it's not only to spiritual truth and it becomes impossible to doubt that the decay of morality is at an all time high, as well as declining rapidly. I can see an escalation of decline as a daily norm at this point and conditions in the world are like a run away train with no hope of rescue, but seeing Gods plan at work is the hope of assured rescue.
I can attest to this.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the birth pains Jesus talks about.
Mar 13:8 because nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes and famines in various places. These things are only the beginning of the birth pains.
1Th 5:3 When people say, "There is peace and security," destruction will strike them as suddenly as labor pains come to a pregnant woman, and they will not be able to escape.
Joh 16:21 When a woman is in labor she has pain, because her time has come. Yet when she has given birth to her child, she doesn't remember the agony anymore because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world.
There is nothing new under the sun. Disasters and bad behavior have always been with us.
I like this guy's take on natural disasters despite the fact he doesn't understand that ultimately all is of God. I mean, we are where we are because of God right?
Anyhow, here's a link and a couple points that he made which got me thinking. Tell me what you think.
https://www.iflscience.com/environment/are-natural-disasters-rise/Potentially hazardous events do not need to end in a disaster. Disasters occur because of the intersection of hazard with exposed people and assets that are vulnerable to the hazard. They are characterised by a lack of resilience and poor capacity to cope and respond in the affected area. Without vulnerability there can be no disaster.
For me, disasters are a social construct and are about people. I make no apologies for taking such an anthropocentric view.
The big question is does this trend represent a statistical change in the physical occurrence of natural disasters or an increasingly vulnerable global population (or both)?--------------------
Are people really getting worse? Or is there just more people? If torturing someone is one of the worst things you can do, well then that has been around for thousands of years. Sad I know, but true.
I'm pretty sure your Scriptural quotes are parables also. A woman giving birth is often used in Scripture to represent a Church birthing like children.
Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Rom 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Rom 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
It's always about the "many called" or the "few chosen" and depending on which you are or what you believe, your "mother" will either be the bondmaid or freewoman.
Gal 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
Gal 4:23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
Gal 4:24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
Gal 4:25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Gal 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
Gal 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children (many called) than she which hath an husband (few chosen).
Earthquakes, famines, disasters, nations and kingdoms fighting wars, these things have always been with us in a literal sense, so I'm not so sure that these words of Christ and His Apostles are teaching us about literal things. These "events" have got to be happening in the realm or heaven of my heart and mind.
It feels like a literal war sometimes where everything I was is crumbling and falling apart and I'm just screaming NO, STOP IT LEAVE ME ALONE! I'm such a terrible sinner. Who will save me?
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Rev 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Sorry for going on like this, but spiritually speaking, it's been rough. I don't know ( I really don't) if God is saving me, but if He is then Ray wasn't lying when he said it would be the hardest thing I will ever do. This on top of some of the most disgusting physical ailments I must endure, makes me wish I were dead.
One thing I think about a lot is that if He is not saving me at this time and I find myself in the resurrection to judgment, what could I possibly say? Talk about being between a rock and a hard place. I would have no excuse.
Sorry for the wall of text and going off topic a bit there, but it seemed like what I said was related to "end times prophecies" and what I perceive to be a major upheaval in my life, physically and possibly spiritually. Maybe I'm looking for some confirmation or even a little encouragement, I don't know. My house built on sand in the wilderness is falling greatly and I can't say I like it. Feels like the end times for sure lol.