In
Matthew 24:7-8, Jesus Christ foretold signs that would mark the time leading up
to His return: "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various
places …"
We
have certainly seen devastating earthquakes in recent years. The December 2004
earthquake off Indonesia was the most powerful in decades, unleashing a massive
tsunami that took some 300,000 lives. Less than a year later, an earthquake in
southern Asia killed another 30,000.
In
Matthew 24:7, the Greek word translated "earthquakes" is seismos,
from which we derive such English words as "seismology," referring to
the study of earthquakes. Strong's Lexicon defines it as "a commotion,
i.e. (of the air) a gale, (of the ground) an earthquake—earthquake,
tempest" (Strong's No. 4578).
So
seismos has a broader meaning than just the earth shaking. Matthew 8 records
how a violent storm overtook Jesus and His disciples on the Sea of Galilee,
threatening to capsize their boat and drown them—until Jesus miraculously
calmed the winds and waves.
The
word used in verse 24 for this powerful storm is seismos, here translated
"tempest." So we see that seismos can also refer to violent storms
and isn't limited strictly to earthquakes. When
Jesus foretold "famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various
places," His words encompass natural disasters that include earthquakes,
but can also apply to hurricanes, tornadoes and other such deadly storms.
As
we saw with Hurricane Katrina, these storms can be enormously destructive.
Katrina took more than 1,200 lives and caused an estimated $200 billion in
damage, not counting the economic hit from losses to shipping, oil and gas
production, fishing and agriculture. New Orleans, devastated by the storm, will
not fully recover for decades— if ever.
A
hurricane like Katrina, which reached category 5 strength before weakening, can
produce winds greater than 155 miles an hour and push ahead of it a wall of
water 18 feet or higher, doing major damage to virtually anything in its path.
Are
such natural disasters increasing as Jesus foretold? I would say “YES!”
Scientists
at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the National Center for Atmospheric
Research have concluded that there has been "a sharp increase during the
past 35 years in the number of category 4 and 5 tropical cyclones.” These are
the category of storms that cause most damage on landfall. Research shows that
those rated category 4 and 5 have increased by 80 percent from the 1970s to the
present decade.
Now
we are being threatened by hurricane Sandy. Forecasters warn that this
hurricane will likely collide with a cold front from the West – creating a
never before seen phenomenon called a hybrid "superstorm." This is
not a typical storm. It could very well be historic in nature and in scope and
in magnitude because of the widespread anticipated power outages, flooding and
potential major wind damage," It has the power and potential to reach up
to 800 miles inland and is expected to impact the east coast of the United
States as early as Monday, October 29, 2012.
This
should certainly make us sit up and take notice. Later in Jesus Christ's same
prophecy, as recorded in Luke 21:25-28, He says: "And there will be signs
in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of
nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing
them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the
earth …”
"Then
they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now
when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your
redemption draws near."
This
hopeful Word is directed at those of us who are truly saved and who have been
persecuted for the sake of Christ (Matthew
24:9).
The
sad truth is that many souls are blind as to what is directly in front of them.
They refuse to see the signs or accept God’s Word of warning regarding His
return.
Matthew
24:12 expressly tells us that “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love
of most will grow cold.” And 1 Timothy 4:1 confirms this prophecy for “The
Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow
deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
There
are demonic forces in the earth leading men away from God’s truth and teaching
doctrines that are contrary God’s ordained plan of salvation through Christ
Jesus. And those who have been deceived have also been blinded to the truth
whereas they cannot see the need for repentance, water baptism in the Name of
Jesus Christ and being filled with the Holy Ghost. They are under a strong
delusion whereby they believe that they are saved without obeying God’s
instruction on how to be saved - they are following the doctrines of Demons.
I
implore you my brothers and Sisters, with all of my hearts, to “Repent and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of
your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Repent
before it is too late.
I
say again, REPENT!!!