More end time prophets are on the horizon, predicting the end of the world from a series of recent earthquakes in California and elsewhere around the country. But, are earthquakes in divers places, signs of the times? There are so many earthquakes that occur every day that they don’t even make the news. Why, because earthquakes are a common occurrence.
This information can easily be checked through the US Geological Earthquake Hazards Survey Program, (USGS). There are so many earthquakes that occur daily that they only measure those of 2.5 rating or higher in and near the U.S. To point to a certain area such as California (where earthquakes commonly occur) and claim it is the sign of the end, ignores both biblical testimony and the geographical setting of end times prophecy.
The World of Christ and Bible Prophecy
To properly understand the world and setting of prophetic utterances and events in the New Testament, familiarity with the land and times is essential. Most futurist speculations about the end are both anachronistic, –errors in time and are geographically misplaced. Yes, this is a hard pill to swallow for rapture ranters.
To get a picture of the world of Bible prophecy, it must be understood that they were living in the days of the Roman Empire. Just think about it for a moment and ask yourself, what will be the landscape of the world 2000 years from today?
Will all the present countries we know yet be in existence? Will any new ones have developed? Will there be new super powers of military, economic and political strength? Ask where was America in the landscape of the known world a few hundred years ago?
Now, did not those pre-America people have the Bible in front of them? Were they not able to read the prophecies of Christ? Would any of them have assumed before America was “discovered” that it was the subject of end times prophecy? How gullible can we sometimes be?
When Christ spoke of the end times, his world and that of his followers was the Roman Empire. This must be kept in mind if one is going to sensibly understand prophecy and many other subjects in the Bible. Let’s take a look at a couple of examples.
A Census Was Taken of All The World
“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.” (Luke 2:1-5).
Now we have Caesar Augustus, ruler of the world, ordering a census to be taken of all the world. America was no where in the picture. Not a single person living today was counted or even included in that “worldwide” event. It is as erroneous to apply this text and event to a modern day census taking in a locale outside of Caesar’s empire as it is for the end time.
Earthquakes in Divers Places, Sign of the Times?
The same is true for the occurrence of earthquakes predicted by Christ. He had absolutely no focus on America. Rather, he spoke of the geographical world in which he and his disciples lived. The prophecy uttered in Matthew 24:7, must fall within the parameters of its geographical and temporal setting.
“For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.” (Matthew 24:7)
Had the world Christ lived in changed from that in which his parents lived when they went to get registered for the census? I suggest not.
In fact, evidence exists in the N.T. and first century recorded history, that these earthquakes did not mean the end was near. It meant the opposite.
John Bray records, “Earthquakes did occur at Crete, at Smyrna, at Miletus, at Chios, at Asmos, at Rome, at Apamea (same region) at Laodicea (in the reign of Nero) “which city was overthrown, as were likewise Hierapolis and Colossee” (Newton), at Campania in the year 62 or 63, and at Rome and Judaea. These earthquakes did not prove the “end” was imminent; contariwise, as Jesus said, all of those things proved that the “the end is not yet,” quoted in Matthew 24 Fulfilled, by John L. Bray.
Finally, Christ said, all those things would occur before his generation passed away, Matthew 24:34. Therefore, the world must be the world of his time, and that accords with the geographical and political landscape of the day.
Learn more about the Second Coming and it’s first century fulfillment in the Re-Examination.
Related articles by Zemanta
- Earthquake Preparedness: Let’s Get Ready to Rumble (usnews.com)
- San Francisco Identifies Buildings Most at Risk (nytimes.com)
- New Jersey earthquake sparks panic (telegraph.co.uk)
- Shaking up earthquake searches (googleblog.blogspot.com)
- Melbourne hit by earthquake days after wildfires (telegraph.co.uk)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=532a2bd8-a6c8-4d4b-884a-f6e5f153d130)
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
I know this may be hard for you to swallow, but you know He is Christ, Son of the Living God. Don't you think if he knows all things, that surely he knew of America…..even before it's time. I mean He knew you before you were in your mothers womb.
Angela, it's really not a hard pill to swallow. You're correct, Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Yes, he does know the future and the past. However, you've missed the point, which tells me it's a hard pill for you to swallow.
The subject is not about who or what Christ knows, but of what he was discussing in the context. Are you ready to tell me that he was speaking about you or me, or our generation? That is the issue and the assumption many futurist interpreters carry to the text.
For example, the events of Matthew 24, take place around the setting of the Jewish temple, in Jerusalem, pre-70 AD, (Matt. 23:37-24:3). Grammatically, the pronouns in the text refer to his contemporaries directly addressed in the context. "You" does not mean "us" in remote centuries, but those who were present at the time of the utterance.
It is they who were warned to flee the mountains, to avoid flight from the city on the Sabbath or during the harsh winter months. Lastly, Christ meticulously specified the precise generation (contemporary group of people) who would experience the event, namely, "this generation" meaning the one in which he then lived, (Matthew 24:34).
A lot of futurists get all choked up on that pill, because it identifies the first century as the setting for these signs, and Palestine of past generations. Thus, not only is it not about America today, but it doesn't even involve Palestine of today. This takes away all their futurist pills they prescribe for an alleged future end time.
In the corresponding text of Luke 21:23, Christ says, "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon "this" people (my emp.) That's a particular people, at a particular time, in a particular locale.
Again the setting is first century Jerusalem and surrounding areas, (which was under subjection to the Roman Empire), and about to be trampled by them, (Luke 21:20-22), all before those then living passed, (Lk. 21:32).
The word of God is living and has just as much relevance today as it did in Biblical days. The proof is in the many prophecies already fullfilled to 100% acuracy.
How about all prophecy is fulfilled. Yes, the word of God is relevant today.
All prophecy is not fulfilled because the book of revelation has yet to come to pass and even prophecy in Isaiah 9 & 10 has partially came to past but all is yet to be done. Like I said before, I hope you are prepared…
The Book of Revelation describes events which were "at hand" and "shortly to come to pass" which could not be "sealed" for "the time was near." All events occurred in the first century in connection with the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. See Rev. 1;1, 3, 22:6, 10, 12.
Please do not be deceived or as the prophets the bible speaks of that deceive others. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Our God is infinite and we are finite. Though we look at time as today, God looks at it as tomorrow. He knows the end even at the beginning. One thousand years is as one day. So for you to think that the bible/Jesus' prophecies only refer to mans current time/men of that time you are mistaken because it is spoken by God in God's time (yesterday, today and forever). Let's pray you are prepared for the current tribulation….
Im confussed here what your saying Mr Bell. Are you saying that luke 21:32 has already happened? or events of 20-32 have happened already?
Well to be perfectly clear about it, \\"I\\" am not saying it, but that is certainly what the text is saying. See the video on the home page for a discussion of \\"this generation\\" and it\\'s application to the first century.
EastEndwatcher, to help you better understand the context and meaning of Luke 21:32, see the video in the sidebar on the home page. There are a series of 4 videos on "this generation". The rest are posted on youtube/allthingsfulfilled.
Christ made it clear that the events he described for the time of the end would occur before that generation in which he then lived passed away. All it requires is just slowing down enough to read the text and stay focused on the audience he addresses. Let me know if you have further questions. See contact info per tab on nav bar.
well what about the rebirth of Isreal ? That dident happen until1947 or 8
Israel wasn't reborn in 1948. Zionism was born. Please know the difference.
Could you please give me your interpretation of the sign of the end with the heavenly vision of the stars falling from the sky and the moon turning blood red? Thank you.
In the beginning, God created the literal heaven and earth, (Gen. 1:1) and the literal sun moon and stars, (Gen. 1:14-17). These are for signs, seasons, days, nights and years. In addition they were also to "rule over the day and over the night, dividing the one from the other. From this text we learn that "sun, moon and stars" are used as "signs" (to represent something they are not) as the sun, moon and stars are not days, nights and years, etc, but represent them. They also are to "rule" over the day and night. Thus, their second application is that they are "rulers."
Now, when we look at those two concepts, we see how the prophets "figuratively" used sun, moon and stars, to be "signs" and "rulers" when they discussed prophetic themes. The first mention of the "sun, moon, and stars" used "figuratively" or as metaphors is found in Gen. 37:9) where Joseph dreams that the "sun, moon and stars" would come and bow down to him. Jacob understand that Joseph was not speaking of the literal "sun moon and stars" of the creation per Gen. 1:1). He interpreted the boys statements as meaning that he, (the sun and ruler of the household) Joseph's mother (the moon) and his eleven brothers (the eleven stars) would bow down to him. (Gen. 1:10). This literally came to pass when during the famine in Canaan, his family came to Egypt to find food and bowed before Joseph.
So, the context determines the meaning and use of "sun, moon and stars." I would encourage you to do a search on the blog for posts I have made on the topic to show how these are used figuratively in both Old and New Testaments. To make it simple and short. Whenever God says he is going to destroy the world or the sun, moon and stars would fall, it is always a figurative use of the term, i.e. meaning to destroy a nation and the rulers of a nation. This is because God has promised never to destroy the earth, Gen. 8:21-22; Psa. 89:34-37; and that the sun, moon and stars will continue before him as the throne of Christ, Jer. 31:35-37. Since God's throne has no end, (Isa. 9:6-7; Lk. 1:32-33), then the sun, moon and stars have no end. If they did, then Christ's kingdom surely could not be said to endure as the sun and have no end.
If all things were fulfilled, where would you say that places mankind and Christ? Your vision would leave one to believe that mankind is abandoned by our Creator. Do you believe in an afterlife? Where do you believe God stands with this present generation?
I'm not sure I understand what all or specifically is being asked in your question. However, one thing it means is that the fellowship that was broken between God and man is now restored for those in Christ. He came in the fullness of times, (Gal. 4:4) to establish the kingdom (Mk. 1:14-15), that all in heaven and earth would be reconciled in Him (Eph. 1:10). That is not an abandonment by God, but an "acceptance" (Eph. 1:6). The "hope" of glory was "Christ in you" (Col. 1:27). God now dwells "in his people," (2 Cor. 6:16) not in "temples made with hands," (Acts 7:48).
Of course there is an after life. "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" Yes says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." See also John 8:51-52; 11:25-26; Matt. 8:11-12, Lk. 20:36-38.
As noted above, God's relationship is with those in Christ, i.e. in the kingdom, which has no end, (Lk. 1:32-33) and thus he always will remain with them and they with him as long as the latter continues in faith. Thus we are "ever" with the Lord. Those of this generation who do not know the Lord should establish a relationship with him. It is the same for every generation.
Sir, are you a full Preterist of partial Preterist? I read all of James Stuart Russells 'Parousia'. I found it quite remarkable and credible. It just raises so many problems. Just one is the extreme rarity with which it is found to be embraced in Christian circles. to believe it, inumberable details of accepted doctrine require radical revision among those of us brought up in any of the mainstream Christian schools; Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Fundamentalist etc. It actually takes on more of an almost cultic complexion. But also, what is the "new earth' Rev 21? Though I have Christ in my heart and walk in the Spirit, life on this earth barrages me with pain and suffering and just reeks of unredemtion. A world I would argue that is very much under enemy rulership. Preterism-a brilliant theology, but very messy in application.
Looking forward to your response.
The key to understanding Bible prophecy is to understand that "Christ in you" was the hope of glory, Col. 1:27. Therefore, the New Heaven and New Earth, is by metonymy, another name for Christ's Presence in us. It's as simple as that.
Another important point is to remember that Christianity itself was called a sect and no doubt viewed as a cult in the first century by its enemies. That did not make it so. When the multitudes refused to follow Christ because he mentioned eating His flesh and drinking His blood, it was a hard saying for the Jews to accept and many of them even stopped following him. So, what are you suggesting, that we go away from the words of "eternal life" just to please the crowd? That's not very Christlike.
God uses the Bible to speak to each and every one of his children. When Jesus is speaking to the apostles, he is also speaking to every one of us. His words are meant to be applied to each of our lives, throughout all times and all places; not just to the disciples during their time. Because God has given us the Bible as a way for him to speak to us, it is not incorrect to compare the words Jesus spoke to his disciples with our current world. There is much information in the Bible that points to the day of rapture as occurring on May 21, 2011, which can be found at http://www.the-latter-rain.com.
I guess we can just wait this one out. So, if no rapture has occurred by May 21, 2011, will you acknowledge that the prophecy is false? We look forward to seeing you just over a year from now!
one taken and other left……which is taken? good or evil? and where is proof?
For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." (Matt. 24:38-39). Clearly in this example Christ used, it is the "wicked" who are taken and the righteous who are left. Therefore, if we follow through with the next verses, it would read as follows: "Then two men will be in the field: one [the wicked] will be taken and the other [the righteous] will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one [the wicked will be taken and the other [the righteous] will be left. (v. 40-41) Also, compare with Luke 17:27-28. "They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Those in the flood were "taken away" per Matt. 27:39, were "destroyed" per Luke 17:27. Same with those of Lot's day. The "taken are the one's destroyed. The righteous were left. In the parable of the tares and wheat, you may recall that when both were growing together in the field, the "servants" asked if they should go and gather up the tares, i.e. the wicked? They were told to let both grow together until the time of the harvest, (end of the age) at which time, the reapers would "first gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into the barn." Thus, the tares (wicked) were again taken first and destroyed and the righteous (the wheat were left behind). (Matt. 13:28-30)
{ 1 trackback }