Surely the disciples must have been in shock after hearing of the horrendous things that Jesus told them would happen. I can picture them silently sitting staring at each other in disbelief. And as Jesus sat on the hillside of the Mount of Olives, the disciples went to Him and asked: "When will these things happen?" Jesus told them that first there would be wars, famines, diseases, epidemics, deception, lawlessness, and more. To them these things must have been unimaginable and horrific events. Then He said, "These things are only the beginning of the pains you will feel". Without a doubt we have seen all of these terrible things, many times, for many years. Are we: NEARING THE END OF THE BEGINNING? Reverend Ray James is an ordained minister and has pastored in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Theology, a Master's Degree in Pastoral Ministry, and a Doctorate in Ministry. Dr. James is a pastor, author, teacher, conference speaker, and international preacher who has traveled to over 40 countries on five continents, and across 49 states in the United States. While serving in the United States Air Force on a Special Operations, Black Ops assignment, he had the unique opportunity to watch Biblical prophecy being fulfilled; which gave him the desire to write this book. He, and his wife, Linda, reside in North Carolina. They have two adult children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.