In this newsletter series, we are going to be examining Jesus' statements in Matthew 24 and relating them to current events in today's world. The close correlation between current events and the Jesus' prophecy will underscore that we are living in the last of the last days.

Let's deal with this scripture in the three sections listed above.

1. When will this happen? and

2. What will be the sign of your coming? and

3. What will be the sign of the end of the age?' (Matt 24:1-3)

The first question was answered in 70 A.D. when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. As the temple burned, the gold melted and ran down between the stones. As a result the Romans literally had to take the stones apart to retrieve the gold. Jesus' words, 'I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down' were literally fulfilled.

Jesus gives us a critical piece of information that will help us correctly interpret the signs, which He enumerated in Matthew 24:4-8. The key to understanding is that the "signs" were likened unto birth pains. In other words, it is not just the prophesied event that is the sign. As with giving birth, it is the frequency and intensity of the pain that is the sign that heralds the entry of an infant into the world -- and by logical extension, the entry of Jesus Christ onto the world scene as conquering king.

For example, we have always had earthquakes. The existence of earthquakes is not the sign. The sign Jesus was referring to was an increase in their intensity and their frequency. There are several ways to look at earthquake activity over the centuries. One way, which is pretty much independent of the existence of modern sensitive seismological equipment, is to look at only large killer earthquakes. These could not have been missed even in the absence of modern measurement equipment. Looking at killer earthquakes above Richter 6.0 yields the following graph.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that in the 1950s, there were nine worldwide earthquakes. In the 1960s, there were thirteen worldwide quakes. In the 1970s, fifty-one worldwide 6.0 or greater. In the 1980s, eighty-six. From nine in the 50s, to eighty-six in the 80s. And in the 1990s, up to 1993 there were one hundred plus. At this rate, the projection is well over two hundred in the 1990s. Large Killer earthquakes are increasing in frequency and magnitude.

A recent study shows a dramatic increase in large worldwide earthquakes overall. Just since the decade of Israel's rebirth. Like increasing birth pangs, in the 1940's there were 51 above Richter 6.0; the 1950's, 475; the 1960's 1,056; the 1970's 1,184; the 1980's 1,085; and in the 1990's at the current rate, a projected 1,540(based on 924 quakes thru 12/95)

In only a one day period from Feb. 28th to March 1st, Iran, Pakistan, Armenia, China and Japan all experienced significant quake activity. On July 10, 1997, the Los Angeles Times reported that, according to the Journal "Nature," California's San Andreas fault line has entered "a critical state" . . "Tiny changes in a cycle of small slips could set off 'the big one.'" The increase in quake activity that led to this "critical state" began between late March and late April 1997 and has persisted.

Even historical data, though collected in an era devoid of modern-day measurement equipment shows a similar pattern. The chart on the below (left) is earthquake data that has been accumulated since the 10^th century. Although it may be somewhat skewed due to recent breakthroughs in technology in the 20^th century, the pattern through the 19^th century is clear. But starting in the 1950's, global earthquake activity, as shown in the chart below (right), has started to skyrocket.

Many of us have seen this kind of data or something very similar, but there is a new dimension of earthquake activity that has recently surfaced which also points to an acceleration.

We have now entered a new phase of earthquake activity. We are now experiencing clusters of earthquakes in a given geographic area simultaneously or in close time sequence of each other.

Volcanic activity, often closely associated with earthquakes, is also on the up swing.

Over the last several years there has been an alarming pattern of volcanic eruptions and major earthquakes that have been increasing in frequency and intensity. The "pressure release valves" (volcanoes) on both ends of the Pacific Ring of Fire - Pavlof in the Aleutian slands off Alaska and Papua New Guinea - recently exploded. One of the most active volcanoes on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula erupted for the second time this year Satellite images showed that the ash cloud extended as far as 150 miles (250 km) to east. (Earthweek, 12/12/97) In Indonesia’s populated Central Java plain, a volcano alert was issued after Mount Merapi spewed a thick cloud of smoke over the region. (Earthweek, 12/12/97)

The Caribbean island of Montserrat was recently warned that the Soufriere Hills Volcano was showing new signs that it might produce an explosive eruption at any time. Much of the tiny island has been devastated by several eruptions since Soufriere Hills roared to life in July 1995 after centuries of dormancy. . (Earthweek)

 A little closer to home, recent earthquakes in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountain range, near the resort community of Mammoth, has resulted in a level 2 (yellow ) Volcanic watch being issued for the area. The alert was posted after a 4.3 (richter) earthquake struck the area on November 30, 1997. On the picture below Two earthquakes with magnitudes of 3.8 and 3.1 occurred within minutes of each other near Mammoth Lakes at depths of 3.4 and 3.6 miles respectively. The ongoing seisimic activity is believed to be caused by the movement of lava deep beneath that area of the Sierra Nevadas. There have been more then 10,000 earthquakes in this area since summer and 2,700 during the last week of December, 1997.

Paul explains that all creation is groaning:

When the Ezekiel 38 invasion of Israel occurs, it will be accompanied by the mother of all earthquakes. It will be felt around the entire earth. "This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign LORD. In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground." (Ezekiel 38:18-20)

The Ezekiel 38 invasion could occur at any time. In the mean time, things are going to continue to shake as God calls a sinful world to repentance.

"For thus says the LORD of hosts: "Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 'and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,' says the LORD of hosts. 'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the LORD of hosts. 'The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says the LORD of hosts. 'And in this place I will give peace,' says the LORD of hosts." (Hag 2:6-9)

Maranatha!

Prophetic Links:

What in Heaven is Happening to America - Part 1"

What in Heaven is Happening to America - Part 2"

What in Heaven is Happening to America - Part 3"

The Snorting of Nebuchadnezar's Horses"