The Prickly Pear Cactus And The Pack Rat. Matthew 24

 You’ve probably all heard of prickly pear cactus. They are the ones with the big round pads and red fruit. Various edibles are made from the fruit. It has a subtle strawberry flavor. The pads are also edible when prepared carefully and properly. The cactus can also supply water and believe it or not, shade from the scorching sun. 

We had a lot of prickly pear cactus in our yard in Arizona. I would try to keep them cleaned up because of the pack rats. Our dogs loved to go after the rats and would sometimes end up with  cactus needles in themselves.

Pack rats make their home in prickly pear cactus. They make an elaborate network of tunnels and “rooms” in the cactus. Several generations could live in the prickly pear and in the ground under the cactus. 

In the process of making their homes in the cactus, the pack rat will eventually kill the cactus. It’s kind of sad when you think about it. The very object that provides food, water and shelter for the pack rat to survive is destroyed by the pack rat. 

We saw this same thing this past summer in the United States. Seattle, Minneapolis and Portland, New York and Kenosha to name a few. Cities destroyed by residents and nonresidents alike.  Cities that were burned, looted and blown up. It was sad. It was horrible. Unfortunately It will continue. It will get worse. The Bible tells us so.  

Matthew 24: 6And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 

9“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. 10And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 

37“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

We are living in the times Jesus discussed  in Matthew. A time of hatred and war and destruction. Hard times are ahead. Life as we knew it just a few short years ago has forever changed. It’s sad but it was also foretold. We are living in HIS historical times. And that is also a little exciting. 

In His name