As mentioned so many times in the past - Jesus stated that earthquakes would be one of the main signs that the world would witness during the last generation - along with "wars and rumors of war", famine, pestilences and "nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom".
We tend to spend far more time on the other signs, while the earthquake story receives less attention, until something like today happens. We have the earthquakes stories and then the Tsunami warnings which are being watched closely today, after a MASSIVE 8.8 earthquake hit Chile. This is one of the largest earthquakes in recorded history - ever. Recall that the recent earthquake in Haiti was a 7.0. Articles below:
Earthquakes:
"Massive earthquake strikes Chile"
Summary:
- There were 78 deaths reported originally (current death toll: > 120).
- Tsunami warnings have been issued from this immediate region and all the way to Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand and Central America, just to name a few. At the speed of a Tsunami, for instance, Hawaii wouldn't be hit for several more hours. The world is watching for potential tsunamis to hit during the course of Saturday, depending on the location.
- A "wave of large proportion" has already affected the Juan Fernandez island group, reaching halfway into the inhabited area. Two aid ships are on the way there. This news is just breaking.
- There have already been multiple large aftershocks, with a 6.9 already reported.
Also see:
"Magnitude 8.8 - Offshore Maule, Chile"
"8.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Chile; Earthquake Centered on Concepcion, Chile"
"Massive Magnitude 8.8 Quake Hits Chile"
LIVE STREAM FROM CHILE HERE
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MORE QUAKES IN THE WORLD:
There have been many significant earthquakes recently - but the earthquake story, for prophecy watchers (including myself) has been pushed to a back burner because of the rising tensions in the Middle East. The last several weeks have been very active for earthquakes. See recent quake activity:
"Largest Earthquakes M5.0+ in the World - Past 7 days"
Just a few of these:
Chile region aftershocks: 6.1, 6.9, 6.0, 6.2, 5.9, 5.6, 5.1, 5.0, 5.5, etc...
Japan: 7.0 (2/26)
Philippines: 5.7, 5.1 (2/26)
Taiwan: 5.5 (2/26), 5.5 (2/25)
Indonesia: 5.0 (2/26)
Nicaragua: 5.6 (2/25)
New Zealand: 5.3 (2/24)
Guatemala: 5.6, 5.3 (2/23)
Iran: 5.1 (2/23)
Kuril Islands: 5.3 (2/23)
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TSUNAMI WARNINGS
(from Chile Quake) which are under watch for 2/27:
"Pacific under tsunami threat after massive 8.8 quake"
NOAA Pacific Warning Center"
"Hawaii under tsunami warning; Calif. coast, Alaskan islands under advisory"
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This story will continue to evolve during the day today, as further information emerges from Chile and the Tsunami story becomes a reality (if indeed the predicted Tsunamis occur - there are several hours before we will know if this becomes a story or not - the Tsunami's have to travel through the oceans before hitting land)
If a Tsunami hits Hawaii, for instance, it won't be until ~ 4:00 EST that it would occur there.
There are 53 nations and territories subject to tsunami warnings. All are on high alert.
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The signs are abundant right now. The signs are obvious for anyone willing to read biblical prophecy and connect the dots, which are becoming easier and easier to connect as the news reaches every corner of the world.
These signs were intended to serve as a warning. A warning that its still not too late to accept Christ Jesus as personal savior and reach salvation. The warnings that God is bringing to the world - reveals that the Tribulation is approaching rapidly.
Our time here on the earth is growing short, as the warnings increase in magnitude and frequency. Everything that Jesus warned us about is happening right now - and they are becoming more and more dramatic. Soon, we will see full scale war in the Middle East - that too should ring alarm bells. At least for those who are watching.
What else can God do, to get our attention? All of the signs that were given for this generation are occurring - and in the exact manner described: Like birth pains. All one has to do is read the Bible and the news headlines. Its all right there - exactly as described. God is speaking to us - He is speaking to this generation and He is warning all of us - of what is to come.
Is anyone listening?
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UPDATES:
6.3: Argentina (2/27)
5.7: Afghanistan (2/27)
4.4: Oklahoma (2/27)
Updated Earthquake Data
Earthquake Map
Chile: 29 Aftershocks > 5.0 (updated @ 12:20 EST)
(now 41 according to the article)
and dont forget the 6.9 in japan today and 7.2 in bejing also today. (these were eclipsed by the one in chile
ReplyDeleteMy goodness!
ReplyDeleteIts hard to keep up with this; a most unusual time for so many, in such diverse places, in such a brief period. All while we watch the other signs escalating.
i dont see us having more than 5 or 10 yrs left at the most.
ReplyDeleteI think it could be less than that. My main "rate limiting" event is Gog-MaGog, because I believe the CHurch will not witness this.
ReplyDeleteIMO, Gog-MaGog is most likely within a year to 18 months - depending on what happens with Damascus, which could easily be this summer.
We'll see. If the last generation truly started in the 1914-1918 range we're almost to the century mark from that - approaching the last days of the generation.
It definitely be 5-10 years, at the extreme maximum, which would place things at the very very very tail end of the generation. Its possible.
But I just can't see Gog-MaGog being pushed that far back. It could, but its hard for me to see that continuing to simmer for that long.
We'll see -either way (18 months - five years) - is still a brief period in the overall scheme of things.
If it IS pushed out that far, then we will be seeing some amazing things IMO.
i gave xtra time cuz from time to time God pushes back the prophetic clock. unlikely, but it happens.
ReplyDeleteThats true - I agree, it could be pushed out 5-10 yrs. Birth pains can also be erratic at first, but the closer the contractions come - ie, the closer to the birth, the less likely to abate or slow down.Thats what I keep coming back to.
ReplyDeleteStill, I agree, its all in God's hand. BUT having said that, there will come a point where the generation has to end - with that in mind, I would believe that a Generation could extend to between 110-120 years (from onset) since that is the extreme life-span for this generation. If thats the case, it could indeed stretch out some more.
Also have to remember to subtract 7 years (+) for the church's timeline, since we won't see the whole generation playing out.
If the whole process gets extended, then I believe we'll see many things that will give us opportunities to witness. Even this earthquake will raise some eyebrows. As stated in 2 Peter, God doesn't want anyone to perish, but for everyone to reach salvation. Maybe He will let things simmer for a longer period, so that less people have to perish.
Its all in His hands - thats for sure!
God Bless, Hartdawg - thanks for the comments!
One more thought (you've got me going thru these numbers again Hart!!)
ReplyDeleteI run these numbers in my head occasionally and you have me thinking a lot about the scenarios that seem in play - and here is my thinking on the duration:
- When Jesus referred to the "days of Noah" in the Olivet Discourse, I believe He did so for several reasons. One of these reasons is the duration of a generation:
"Then the Lord said 'My spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years'"...(Genesis 6:3)
I believe thats one hint. And add to that, many people in today's generation are living between 110-120 (you can google search this).
So that tempts me to place the length of a generation to ~ 120 years.
IF that is the case (and I believe it is) - Jesus also stated that it will be "within" the generation, not necessarily the very last day of the generation. Additionally, most folks do die before 115, and I am tempted to knock off (conservatively) a minimum of ~ 5 years because of the "within" - the generation language in Matt 24.
So - lets assume its 115 years. The very beginning of the first big bolus of "war-famine-pestilence-quakes" - those first birth pains - would have started at the onset of the first of that list - WWI (Fruchtenbaum agrees) - 1914 as I recall.
So 1914 add 115 years = 2034. Then subtract 7 years for the Tribulation, and you are left with ~ 2027. And that would assume that the Rapture occurs on the day of the Tribulation. Most scholars believe that there could easily be a 2-3 year interval between Rapture-Tribulation. If so, that would subtract another 2-3 years. And all of this is being very conservative IMO.
So, to me, the most extreme "outer limit" of time beginning the Tribulation would be ~ 2027. I don't see it waiting that long because of the wording Jesus used - more of a vague, non-specific reference to these events concluding sometime before the generation ends.
If the conclusion of the Tribulation was to be literally at the very end of the generation, I believe different language would have been used - rather than the more vague "not a generation will pass" before all of these things happen (including the 2nd coming).
I just can't see the lid being kept on the Middle East much longer, and when that erupts, it'll be continuous until Gog-MaGog, and I think relatively fast from that point.
If our premise is correct - ie, that we'll be raptured before Gog-MaGog - then I think we're very very close to the rapture.
See ya at the wedding supper of the Lamb!
Scott