Living in Light of Tomorrow

The Day of the Lord in Scripture oft-times references a temporal trial/struggle in which there was/is much suffering. And so, associated with this "day" is seismic disturbances (e.g., Joel 2:1-11; 2:31; 3:16), violent weather (Ezek. 13:5ff), clouds and thick darkness (e.g., Ezk. 2:2; Zeph. 1:7ff), cosmic upheaval (Zeph. 2:3, 30), wars, rumors of war, hardship, trial, and oppression (Mt. 24:6).
Think of the birth pangs of a woman in labor. That is what the trials and difficulties of life in this age truly are. In theology, we don't call them "Labor Pains" but "Portents" (cf. Rom. 8:19-22) Biblically speaking we expect that these Portents will characterize life in this world but will intensify right before the end (just as with labor pains, cf. Mt. 24:21-22)!