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Luke 21:11-- and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. Luke 21:25--There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,
Yesterday there was a terrible earthquake in Samoa, it was listed as an 8.0. Many died. It spawned terrible tsunamis that killed even more people and wiped out villages.
Today there was a 7.9 earthquake in Sumatra. Tsunami warnings were issued. Many died. There is "extreme panic."
The Lord told the Apostles when they asked Him what would be the signs of the coming of the end of the age, that there would be earthquakes in diverse places and that there would be roaring and tossing of the seas. Peter told us that when Christians point to these signs, and the other signs He told us about, that there would be mockers and scoffers. Peter said, "Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.”
Previously, when I pointed to the increase in frequency of earthquakes, people would say just that, 'there have always been earthquakes. Jesus hasn't come yet and He never will.' They mock His coming and they scoff at the signs of the end that He told us would signal His soon arrival ... and they know not that even their own scoffing is a sign of His imminent return.
As a Christian I take these as signs and I use the signs in several ways. I thank the Lord for caring about His children so much that He heralds His soon arrival with signs that are inescapably noticeable. I point to them and say, "See? He has told us ahead of time! Now is the time to repent!" Also, I pray for the victims, and ask that their hearts be opened to His truth before another sign comes to pass.
It is unusual that two high-magnitude quakes have struck so closely together. This event, embedded among so many other signs that He promised, surely is not a coincidence. It is surely not something to scoff at. Jesus will come. Today, tomorrow, next year, but He is coming. All lost souls on earth are in peril because once He collects His bride in the rapture, salvation is available but it comes a lot harder and it comes at a heavy price. "Behold, now is 'the acceptable time,' behold, now is 'the day of Salvation'-" 2 Cor6:2b
And for myself, I do what the bible commands, because "...when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:28. If I continue looking at Him and for Him His peace that passes all understanding flows through me and I can be His instrument of calm in the gathering storm. This will attract seekers of Truth, and I can share the Good News.
Notice the scripture says 'begin' to take place. He is coming soon! Christians, encourage one another with these words.
I thought the same thing when I heard about the earthquakes. People need to repent because we never know when the Lord will return. I feel bad for the victims that died without the knowledge of their Savior.
ReplyDeletewell said Jorge. The lost never know how much time they have. NOW is the day of your salvation, I pray it be so!
ReplyDeleteYou say "Previously, when I pointed to the increase in frequency of earthquakes, people would say just that, 'there have always been earthquakes'".
ReplyDeleteWhy do you mention "increase in frequency of earthquakes"? I invite you to tell me which verse in scripture mentions an INCREASE in frequency of earthquakes at the end-time. Are you not are dishonestly implying that this is what scripture says?
Don D.
ReplyDeleteIs it your opinion that among other symptoms, the end times will NOT be characterized by any increase in earthquakes in diverse places?
Dear Elizabeth Prata,
ReplyDeleteMy opinion does not matter. What matters is what Jesus Christ said. My question remains - where in scripture does it say that an INCREASE in earthquakes is a sign of the end times?
Dear Don D,
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about your interpretation (not opinion) of the scriptures since you seem skeptical that the end times will be characterized by what Jesus said it will be characterized by.
All the symptoms Jesus stated would happen (earthquakes, signs from heaven, fearful events) as a signal that He is drawing near are part of a larger, general climate of God getting peoples' attention. One of the ways God has done this throughout the bible is weather. One of those is, God sends earthquakes. (Is29:6)
To answer your question, just a few of the scriptures that indicate end times signs are: Mark 13:8
Luke 21:11
Luke 21:25
In Mark 13:8 Jesus directly answered the disiples' question and outlined the end times signs, including earthquakes. Then immediately after that, He said those signs will be like "birth pangs." Jesus never used a metaphor for no reason (fig tree, bearing fruit, etc) As you well know, birth pangs INCREASE in frequency and intensity as the event draws near. Jesus was saying thus will the symptoms He had just told the disciples will happen, will INCREASE as the rapture draws near.
Hope this helps you understand the Lord's power and His intent in these perilous times.
You're all idiots.
ReplyDeleteOr victims of delusion, or wishful thinking, or cult like faith. Take your pick. Jesus has been returning "soon" since the first Christians.
DeleteYes, we have been saying He is returning quickly since the first Christians. We believe He will return, that IS faith. We have this faith because Jesus does not lie, His promises have been fulfilled over and over all throughout the Old testament and we are sure they will be finally fulfilled in the New. There is no statute of limitations or expiration date on the promises He has made to us. They are eternal because He is eternal.
DeleteThe Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
That means you, anonymous, He wants you to repent. You should be grateful He hasn't burned the earth with its sinners up yet...though someday He will. He loves you, but you are still an unforgiven sinner, as I was. The verse goes on:
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (2 Peter 3:10)
We are not idiots we are just sinners forgiven. The real question is not when the end is but are you ready ? That day will come for all saved & lost people. * John 14:6
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone think that 2012 could be a beganing to something bigger. I know no one will know the day or the hour but I see a lot of changes coming. And I think the government is going to use the 2012 senero to start the mark as well as a lot of persercution. Has anyone heard of the FEMA camps.
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteWe will not know the day nor the hour but you're right, we notice changes. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for being able to read the signs of the weather but not the signs of His presence before them.(Mt 16:3-4) In Mark 13:35 we are commanded to watch, and when we get there, we are given a crown if we have faithfully yearned and looked for His appearing.(2Tim 4:8)
I notice changes too, Anonymous, but I believe they are related to 1948, the re-creation of Israel, and 1967, the year Israel got Jerusalem back, and that those were the clearest signs of the beginning of the birth pangs. I don't think anything God does is related to 2012 specifically because that is a Mayan pagan prophecy and not Christian. However, sure, since so many changes are happening, I think we will see a monumental difference by 2012. We already have seen what has happened since 10/2008 when the crash started! At the rate things are going I believe we will see the fulfillment of Is 17:1 (Damascus destroyed) and Psalm 83 war prior to that date.
I agree that the government will try to come up with some explanation for the mass disappearance of Christians and the resultant chaos coming on the world, and maybe would use the Mayan prophecy to cover it. I have heard of FEMA camps and the controversy surrounding whether they exist and the reason for their existence if they do exist. We know that the world will be in bondage during the 2nd half of the Tribulation, forced to take a mark of the beast or die, so the notion of near-future mass incarceration is not a stretch.
It actually stated in motion, when Isreal became a nation, about 60 years ago (only a generation to go till the end of the age of grace)
ReplyDeleteRe-read Matt:Ch 24.....we are missing only one last sign.......world wide persecution of christians.
We are guarded in the US that such persecution will probably not get too physically dangerous,
but already our Satanic controled CBS, CNN, NBC, and ABC are deciding that right wing christian groups are all lunatics,
and need to be CIA or FBI investigated.
Whether this current administration knows it or not ( I doubt they belive in end times prophechies)..
...they are certainly tools of Satan and part of Gods end times like it or not...
.. a case of the wrong place at the wrong time I suspect
Oh golly.
ReplyDeleteMar 11, 2011 ...8.9 earthquake hits Japan. Someone related earlier birth pains increasing to the increasing number of earthquakes which is an interesting way to consider the idea, but maybe God just wants us to keep reminding us that the time of his return is near. God doesn't wish for any to be lost and increasing reminders is maybe what we need to get it.
ReplyDeleteStrangely enough it has been just been 1 1/2 years since this post...and this is the post that comes up today when I searched for more understanding of what is happening today. The scoffers are busy scoffing...except maybe not today.
ReplyDelete