February 25, 2014
The Bible says we cannot know the exact
time of our Lord's return (Matthew 25:13). .. But the scriptures make it quite
clear that we can know the season of our Lord's return. ... 1 Thessalonians
5:2-6 says, "For you know very well
that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. .... But you
brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief;
for you are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of night or darkness, so then let
us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober."
This passage tells us that Jesus is
coming like "a thief in the night', but then goes on to make it clear that
this will be true ONLY for the pagan world and not for believers. .. His soon
return will be no surprise to those of us who know Him and His Word, for we
have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to give us understanding of the signs of
the times.
Specifically, the Scriptures give us
detailed signs to watch for ... signs that will signal that Jesus is ready to
return. ... The writer of Hebrews referred to these signs when he proclaimed
that believers should encourage one another when they see they day of judgement
drawing near (Hebrews 10:25-27). ...
Jesus also prophesied about the end times in His Olivet Discourse, given during
the last week of his life (Matthew 24
& Luke 21). ... He spoke directly
about a whole series of signs saying,
"When you see all these things, recognize that He (Jesus) is near,
right at the door." (Matthew 24:33)
...
Over the next few weeks and months, I
want to bring these signs to you ... I want to show you the "Birth
Pains" Jesus was talking about. ... I realize I use the term "birth
Pains" a lot, but they are Jesus' own words in Matthew 24:8 describing
what is to come, so I can think of no better words to use. ... The quick
definition of the term "Birth Pains" is this .... earthquakes, volcanoes,
tornadoes, famine, pestilences of various kinds ... will increase in intensity
and frequency the closer we get to the Lord's return.
This week I want to talk about the 'Signs
of Nature.' ... Now I realize that this is the least respected sign, even among
believers. .. The mere mention of it usually brings out the worst in folks with
statements like 'what else is new' or 'these things have always happened, so
today is no different.' ... It goes along with the Scripture in 2 Peter 3:3-4
which says, 'First of all, you must understand
that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil
desires. They will say, 'Where is this
coming He Promised? Ever since our
fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.'
" ..... When we take closer look, this is not the case ... not
even close!
We all have to admit that 'Climate
Change' has become one of the most-used buzzwords in today's society. .. Global
warming, global cooling .... the list of 'titles' grows by the day as the world's
scientists try to come up with a consensus as to what is really happening ...
and it appears that the more they dig in, the more confused they are becoming!
... Simply, they are baffled! ...... But not those of us who 'know' ......
To prove that these 'Birth Pains"
are for real, allow me to give you just a brief overview of the current
'climate changes' we are witnessing. .... Just to start, scientists themselves
have admitted that 'things are not going along as they always have' ... In fact,
they agree that since 1980, cataclysmic weather and climate events have nearly
quadrupled! .... For the sake of time,
I'm not going to go back that far. ...
Let's start with just some of these
events this past decade ...
*12/26/03 - A 6.6 earthquake flattens the historic city of Bam in
southeastern Iran .. 26,000 people died ...
*12/26/04 - A 9.1 earthquake off western Indonesia triggered a tsunami
in the Indian Ocean, killing 230,000
people in a dozen countries ...
*08/05 - Hurricane Katrina hit
the U.S. Gulf Coast causing massive damage and killing 1800 people ...
*10/08/05 - A 7.6 earthquake kills about 80,000 people in northwestern
Pakistan and Kashmir ...
*05/02/08 - The storm surge from Cyclone Nargis washes up densely
populated areas around the Irrawaddy
River delta in Myanmar, washing away whole farming villages. .. Some
138,000 people perished ...
*05/12/08 - A 7.9 earthquake in China's Sichuan province kills 87,000
people ...
*01/12/10 - A 7.0 earthquake devastates Haiti's capital and surrounding
cities, killing 314,000 people ...
*03/11/11 - A magnitude 9.0 earthquake off northeastern Japan causes a
tsunami that sweeps onto the coast.
About 19,000 people are killed and three nuclear reactors melt at the
Fukushima power plant ...
OK .. Enough .. you get the point! ...
Now let me just give you a brief overview of just the last four years ....
*2010 - Scientists and meteorologists collectively said that "This
was the year that struck back." --
Here's a quote from an expert ....."Earthquakes, heat waves, floods, super
typhoons, blizzards, landslides and drought killed at least a quarter million
people in 2010 - the deadliest year in generations! ... The term '100-year
event' lost its meaning this year."
*2011 - The Associated Press had this headline: "Disasters in U.S.: An extreme and exhausting year" The article goes on to say ... "Nature
is pummeling the United States this year. .. Unprecedented triple-digit heat
and devastating drought. .. Deadly tornadoes leveling towns. .. Massive rivers
overflowing. .. A billion-dollar blizzard. .. And now, unusual hurricane-caused
flooding in the northeast. ... If what's falling from the sky isn't enough, the
ground shook in places that normally seem stable: Colorado and the entire East Coast. .. A
strong quake triggered brief tsunami warnings in Alaska. .. Arizona and New
mexico have broken wildfire records. "..
The article continues with this ....
"In addition to all the U'S. miseries, there have been devastating events
elsewhere, such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Australia's flooding
and a devastating drought in Africa. .... The list goes on .......
*2012 - There was a rash of all-time records ... Here's just some of them ...
-Largest single drought disaster declaration in history -- 1,016
counties in 26 U.S. states ...
-Anchorage, Alaska record snowfall ... 81.3 inches! ...
-Super Typhoon Bopha ... $1.04 billion in damage .. 1901 people killed
.. 700,000 homeless ...
-Hurricane Sandy largest in known history .. spanned 943 miles .. surge
height 13.88 feet ...
-Hottest U.S. year on record .. Death Valley, California hit 129 degrees
F .. Hottest ever recorded on earth ...
-Record 9.2 million acres charred by wildfires ...
*2013 - No let-up in sight ...
-New York Times - "Heat, floods, icy cold .. Extreme weather rages
worldwide" ... (1/11/13)
-CNN - "Strange and severe weather sweeps world - Hurricanes ravage
mid-section of nation" ... (12/22/13)
-Weather Channel - "Climate chaos:
Killer winter storms across the globe - Scientists stunned" ...
(12/9/13)
-2013 record year for volcanoes erupting across the planet ...
-Super Typhoon Haiyan hits Philippines ... Strongest to ever make
landfall in history ...
-Largest and most damaging Tornado outbreak in known world history hit
U.S. mid-section - 358 tornadoes
in 72 hours ...
- Record monsoons wash away entire villages -- 5700 people known dead
... (6/13)
2014 has just started and already I could
list many, many records that have already fallen. ... After looking at these
events, if one is still a naysayer, it can only be from a demonic source ...
one which creates deception in the minds of mankind. .... These "Birth
Pains" are for real ... and will continue to increase in frequency and
intensity as we draw ever nearer ...
Jesus said in Matthew 24:8 that these are
the beginning of birth pains (sorrows).... These are the days we are living in
right now! .. Weather disasters, as they increase in intensity and frequency,
are actually fulfilling Bible prophecy. .. We are experiencing the outer edge
of a storm that is about to inflict the worst suffering mankind has ever known.
... This is where we are right now in Bible prophecy! ...
But remember this, Jesus didn't leave us
without hope. ... All this taking place just means that He is right at the
door, ready to step through and take us home to a place beyond our wildest
imaginations ... a place where there will be no disasters .. no sickness .. no
tears .. Only pure joy and gladness! .... Hallelujah!
Jesus said in Revelation 3:10 that He
would "keep us from the trial that is about to come upon the whole
world."
As we witness all the calamity that is
now increasingly falling upon the earth, we must recognize that it is His way
of saying that time is running out .. that he is about to return and take His
bride home. ...These calamities are telling us that He is standing at the door
and knocking. ... All we have to do is open it and He will come to us ...
Hallelujah!
OK ... I'll stop for now. .... But tell
your friends that He is near and waiting for them. ... Also know that I love
each of you and am praying for you constantly as we draw ever nearer to the
glorious conclusion of the Church Age.
..... so ....
Until next time,
Red