“All these are the beginning of the labor pains.” (Matthew 24:8, NAB)
The earth seems to be literally reeling. There have been two major earthquakes this year. The 8.8 quake in Chili was so violent that it actually shook the earth on its axis. Experts said that it was over five hundred times more powerful than the one that struck Haiti in January.
What does the Bible say about earthquakes? “And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” (Isaiah 2:19, KJV)
Twice this century the earth shook on its axis from powerful earthquakes. Scientist say that it shortened a day by a millionth of a second.
Earthquakes are a sign of the Lord’s soon return. “There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.” (Luke 21:11, NAB.
“The earth seems to be groaning,” some seismologists said after the quake in 2004 that caused the tsunami. This is exactly what the Bible says. “We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;” (Romans 8:22, NAB)
These earthquakes and the other signs are called “labor pains.” There use to be a long time between tragedies. A calamity would happen and it would be a number of years before another one. Nations could recover from tragedy then. Now, it seems that mankind and the earth is reeling. “The earth will reel like a drunkard, and it will sway like a hut; Its rebellion will weigh it down, until it falls, never to rise again.”” (Isaiah 24:20, NAB)
The labor pains are getting closer and closer together. Jesus said that when this happens that we could expect His soon return. “The one who gives this testimony says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20, NAB)