FULFILLED BIBLE PROPHECES SINCE 1948 (cont.)

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A dramatic increase in deadly earthquakes in the last decade (info through 2008)

I found the following chart while searching the internet for current data on this subject, and it is not easy to find.  The chart only provides information through 2008.  I keep a fairly close check on earthquake activity as daily provided through the USGS and am certain that the overall trend of increasing activity is continuing. (Link to original graph) 

I just looked at a chart on the USGS site of the largest earthquakes in the world since 1900, and 13 of the 17 listed have happened since Israel became a nation.
 
Matthew 24:7-8 “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

The Greek for sorrows connects to the idea of birth pains.  In other words, the identified signs will increase in frequency and intensity during the time preceding the return of Jesus as King of kings.

World conditions similar to the days of Noah

Matthew 24:37–42 “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”

I believe the main point of the above verses is to declare that people on earth will be living normal lives prior to the return of Jesus.  However, I believe the context is in connection with the time preceding the rapture—the time when Jesus comes to take the body of believers home to the Father’s house as He declared in John 14.

John 14:2–3 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

According to the biblical record, we know that planet earth will be in complete chaos preceding the Lord’s physical return to take His place on David’s throne in Jerusalem.  Matthew’s record declares that people will be working in the fields, eating, drinking, and marrying—living normal lives.  It is during this kind of environment that the Lord declares that people will vanish from off the face of the planet.

We cannot ignore the fact, however, that God declares in His word that humanity was wicked through and through during the time preceding the flood.

Genesis 6:5 “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Yes, evil has existed throughout the ages, but the significance of this truth is in light of the ministry of Jesus when He was on earth almost 2000 years ago.  I don’t think a rational person can deny that the overwhelming majority of people in the world reject the truth of God’s word—and the sad truth today--that includes even those who profess themselves to be “Christian.”  

The truth of this connection is validated in Paul’s letters to Timothy.

1 Timothy 4:1–3 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.”

2 Timothy 3:1–7 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Again, these characteristics have been in evidence since the time that Paul wrote these letters; but I believe that these have now become the dominant characteristics of the world since Jesus ministered on earth, and that dominance is continuing to strengthen.

Formation of an alliance between Russia and Iran and other Moslem nations

The alliance of Russia with Iran and some of the other nations listed as part of the coalition of Gog foretold by the prophet Ezekiel has only come into existence during this time period.  Though an alliance between all these nations is yet to be solidified, I believe that Russia will eventually be forced to take the lead (“hooks in the jaws” as stated in the verses below) in this coalition’s attack on Israel to preserve its position of influence and power in that part of the world.

Ezekiel 38:3–6 “And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.”

Persia references today’s Iran.  Ethiopia is the translation for biblical Cush, a reference to black Africa, specifically Sudan.  Libya also includes the nations of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco or a reference to Somalia, according to which prophecy expert you choose to believe.  Gomer and Togarmah are both rooted in the nation today known as Turkey.  The common denominator for most of this coalition is the fact that they are Muslim nations.  It is this factor that makes it all the more conspicuous that Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan are not identified as part of this coalition.

(to be continued…)