The Signs of the End Times

It occurred to me early in October that earthquakes increasing would not be by itself a sign that the 7-year tribulation would be near and the return of Christ, because Jesus said that various things would happen at the same time, not simply, “there will be earthquakes in various places”, which would be vague and which many would probably find fault with as a vague prophecy that anyone could make (and I’ve never heard of any atheist or anti-Christian claim that Jesus made a vague prophecy of any kind in my many years of study of philosophies and religions and those who seem to have neither and those who claim to have neither). But Jesus was specific, just as the rest of the Bible is specific about its prophecies. He said, according to three of the four gospels:2

“Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me – Mark:13-5-12;

“Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish.” – Luke 21:8-18

and

“Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” – Matthew 24:4-14

So, whether or not earthquakes will increase more than now, will not be a sign that the return of Christ is soon, within 7 or 20 years (which I estimate to be how log it will take for the Jews to build a new temple in Jerusalem, if that is to happen), without the rest of those signs. But that earthquakes are happening in many different places all over the world, combined with the sign of the Church becoming more and more corrupt (whether you include the Catholics or not) even as it spreads and gains truly saved Christians, shows that these are the last days, and Christ’s return has come closer.

He said more about the end, but it concerned the last events when his return would be soon and after.