SPECIAL TOPIC: BIRTH PAINS OF THE NEW AGE
The full idiom is "birth pangs of the new age" (cf. Isa. 13:8; 26:17; Jer. 4:31; 30:6-7; Micah 4:9-10; Matt. 24:8; Mark 13:8; Acts 2:24; 1 Thess. 5:3). The imagery of "birthing" was often used of YHWH's judgments. This reflects the Jewish belief in the intensification of evil before the new age of righteousness (cf. Jer. 30:7; Mark 13:19-20; the seals, trumpets, and bowls of the book of Revelation; and the Book of Jubilees 23:18 along with the Apocalypse of Baruch 27-29). The Jews believed in two ages: the current evil age, characterized by sin and rebellion against God (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND), and the "age to come." The New Age would be inaugurated by the coming of the Messiah (cf. Psalm 2). It would be a time of righteousness and fidelity to God. Although the Jewish view was partially true, it did not take into account the two comings of the Messiah. We live in the overlapping of these two ages: the "already" and "not yet" of the kingdom of God!
The idiom of "birth pains" describes the cetainty, intensity yet unknown time element related to God's judgment. Things will get bad for mankind before they get better.
SPECIAL TOPIC: THIS AGE AND THE AGE TO COME
SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ANY MOMENT RETURN OF JESUS vs. THE NOT YET
SPECIAL TOPIC: JUDGMENT IN THE NT
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