What in the world is going on with all this extreme weather?
Earthquakes – We are witnessing an alarming increase in seismic instability along the East Coast, New Madrid, and West Coast fault lines. A magnitude 8.8 earthquake hammered the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia along the Pacific’s Ring of Fire. Only five other earthquakes have ever been recorded that have been larger than that earthquake. The potential for a devastating tsunami prompted people across the Pacific islands to flee to higher ground. Mount Rainier has been rattled by more than a thousand earthquakes in one month. Likewise, one area of Japan has been getting hit by thousands of earthquakes.
Volcanoes – As a result of all these unusual earthquake swarms rattling along major fault lines throughout the world, volcanoes keep erupting one after another. Russia’s Krasheninnikov volcano hasn’t erupted since 1463, marking today’s awakening as a geologically significant event. Two of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes erupted within hours, including Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, with debris blanketing nearby villages. And, the largest super-volcano in Europe has been shaking like crazy.
Wildfires – Massive wildfires have forced thousands of Manitoban residents to flee their homes, prompting the Canadian province to declare a state of emergency. California’s Gifford Fire has now consumed over 72,000 acres, adding to the unfathomable acreage that had already been incinerated earlier this year. And, the Dragon Bravo Fire at the Grand Canyon and the Monroe Canyon Fire in Utah have been creating clouds of fire that form their own weather systems.
These disasters are occurring more and more frequently and causing greater and greater damage with each passing day. Nature has clearly gotten out of hand, and it’s getting even worse!
In the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24, Luke 21, Mark 13), Jesus provided ten signs that would point to His soon return. He added that the signs would increase in frequency and intensity – like the birth pangs of a woman in labor – the closer we get to His return (Matthew 24:8).
In addition to an outbreak of wars, Jesus said, “there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:7). Other signs would involve “fearful sights and great signs from heaven” (Luke 21:11). Likewise, “there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations…for the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Luke 21:25-26).
Eventually, these signs will become exceedingly violent and frequent, and “then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”Offering us insight and hope, Jesus said, “when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:27-28).
The Apostle Paul confirmed that Christians are meant to be able to discern the signs that point to Jesus’ soon return so as not to be taken unaware (1 Thessalonians 5:1-5).
What’s interesting is how scientists are interpreting extreme natural weather phenomena. The consistent explanation for natural disasters is “man-made global warming” or, more recently, “climate change.” The key point is that regardless of the secular world’s interpretation, there is agreement that natural disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity. It all sounds rather biblical, doesn’t it?
So, the world recognizes that natural disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity, but faults mankind’s pollution problems. However, Christians know better. We know that God alone is in control of the weather and not mankind.
The ultimate climax to all of these weather signs occurs during the Tribulation. The signs of nature we are witnessing today – along with social, political, technological, economic, and other end times signs – will all increase in frequency and intensity leading up to the Rapture of the Church. Then God will unleash His wrath during a seven-year period of judgment called the Tribulation.
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