Signs . . . Pt 3

Famines, Pestilences, and Earthquakes

“. . . And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.” Matthew 24:7

Much like wars, famines, disease, and earthquakes have been around since the fall of man. We could look at countless famines in Scripture, Egypt and the surrounding territories suffered a famine and if not for Joseph interpreting Pharaoh’s dream things would have been way worse. Plague’s, and diseases, have also been around, again we could find many examples of this within Scripture. Finally, earthquakes, i think one overlooked earthquake in Scripture is the one at Yahoshua’s death, in which the graves opened up (see Matthew 27:51-53).

So, again, like with wars we need to get some perspective. Once again Israel is the timepiece. With that our time stamp takes us to 1948. Everything before 1948 we can put in the category of Braxton Hicks Contractions. Here is a quote from social science action, “More than 70 million people died in famines during the 20th century.” Although the article notes the success, some countries are having eradicating mass mortality food crises. It also points out that parts of the world, namely sub-Saharan Africa, have become endemic since the late 1960’s.

We all know of the most recent plan-demic. As reported, this bio engineered power grab, with particularly deadly results in the elderly and immuno compromised population, brought the economy of the world to a screeching halt. Still, what is the data since 1948? i went to PubMed for the following: “The last 40 years has been no exception, as the world witnessed the emergence and reemergence of viral outbreaks, of which Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in 1981, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in 2002, H1N1 influenza virus in 2009, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012, Ebola virus in 2013 and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019-present, are noteworthy.” This and the prediction of more severe diseases to come, just ask the WEF, or Bill Gates.

The one that gets the most press is earthquakes and although for a long time they tried to deflect the truth, one could always find the data that showed an uptick in earthquakes; both frequency and magnitude. Here is a statement from USGS.gov “In the past 40-50 years, our records show that we have exceeded the long-term average number of major earthquakes about a dozen times. The year with the largest total was 2010, with 23 major earthquakes (greater than or equal to magnitude 7.0).” What about 2023? “In the span of 12 months in 2023, a staggering 15,600 earthquakes were detected. Among these, 19 seismic events reached a significant magnitude of 7.0 or higher, 128 between magnitudes 6.0 and 6.9, and 1,637 registered magnitudes between 5.0 and 5.9.” (Data collected by Quantectum).

Although, there is without a doubt an uptick in both magnitude and frequency of earthquakes, disease, and famines, these things should not bring fear or worry. No, on the contrary, Yahoshua said, “See that you are not troubled.” These things must take place, what they should do for us as believers is get our attention. His return is a certainty, and it draws increasingly closer. So now is the time to Workout Your Salvation with Fear and Trembling! Or ask the question, “What must I do to be saved?”

Are we in the birth pains? It sure does feel like it!

You are loved,
cj

Signs . . . pt1

“. . . His disciples came to Him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal Your return and the end of the age?” Matthew 24:3

i have covered this before but feel given the times we are in and the events happening around the world it would be good to revisit. Yahoshua in the Olivet discourse, sets out a pattern of things to come, signs to look for, prior to His return. With the world on the cusp of WWIII, eschatology, or the study of end times, is off the charts. Speculation, is running rampant, so what are the signs and what do they mean? And why is it important?

First, i do believe it is vitally important that every believer have some clue as to His return. The warnings alone should spark a desire within the very heart of every single believer to look up! But also, it is Yahoshua, Paul, Peter, and many others that say, “do not be fooled.” There is coming a great deception and it will fool many. Even the elect if possible. So what are we to look for according to Yahoshua in Matthew 24? He likens the signs to birth pains. i haven’t given birth but i was very present for the birth of all three of my boys. One thing that happened with all three of them was something known as Braxton Hicks contractions.

Braxton Hicks contractions according to the Mayo Clinic are: “‘false’ labor pains. If you’re pregnant, you might have these before true labor. They’re your body’s way of getting ready for the real thing. But they don’t mean labor has started or is about to begin.” Do not be fooled by folks who try to make everything that happens some sort of sign of the imminent return of Messiah Yahoshua. Don’t get swept away by predictions, for “no man knows the day or the hour.” With that said, know what to look for so you will not be deceived.

So what are the true birth pains? Well, there are two things to consider, first, what specifically did Yahoshua point out to His disciples? Second, is there an uptick in frequency? We will begin with what Yahoshua said, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will lead many astray.” Matthew 24:4-5 Again, this can not be stated enough, do not be lead astray!

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of the birth pains.” Matthew 24:6-8

So what do we have here, wars, rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, famines, and earthquakes. Well, can we check the box on any or all of these? Over the next several posts we will look at each of these more in-depth. This and the next set of warning signs, “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:9-12

But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:13
Enduring to the end is another ther theme of end times prophecy that gets over looked maybe even more so than the warning to not be led astray. The big sign, however, in all of this is; “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” Matthew 24:15-16

So are we in the birth pains? Or are the things happening now just Braxton Hicks type pains? Again, this is what we will explore over the next several posts. Regardless of what we find, we are in for a wild ride. So buckle up!

You are loved,

cj