A thought I had about the end times and earthquakes

[dandingo]

After reading about the earthquakes in Oklahoma and living in Southern California, earthquake central, it got me thinking about earthquakes and bible prophecy.

Jesus states that there will be famine, pestilence and earthquakes when the end times are here. This means that either there would be earthquakes on every part of the earth, since Him speaking to people back then would imply that people in other cities and parts of the world would feel the same earthquakes or that he knew that there would be something that would allow the entire planet to communicate instantaneously, the internet and TV, to show the different earthquakes happening around the world. Back then, the people would have understood it to mean that the earthquakes around the world would be simultaneous because there was no universal form of instant communication in those days.

I don’t know if this makes sense and I don’t really know where I’m going with this but I just found it interesting the more I thought about it. I’m trying to figure out an apologetics view to go with this, if there is one.

 

[thistle]

After reading about the earthquakes in Oklahoma and living in Southern California, earthquake central, it got me thinking about earthquakes and bible prophecy.

Jesus states that there will be famine, pestilence and earthquakes when the end times are here. This means that either there would be earthquakes on every part of the earth, since Him speaking to people back then would imply that people in other cities and parts of the world would feel the same earthquakes or that he knew that there would be something that would allow the entire planet to communicate instantaneously, the internet and TV, to show the different earthquakes happening around the world. Back then, the people would have understood it to mean that the earthquakes around the world would be simultaneous because there was no universal form of instant communication in those days.

I don’t know if this makes sense and I don’t really know where I’m going with this but I just found it interesting the more I thought about it. I’m trying to figure out an apologetics view to go with this, if there is one.

The earthquakes mean nothing. They are not a sign of anything and there are no more strong earthquakes happening now than before.

 

[Rascalking]

It’s probably not end times anytime soon, don’t worry about it too much. If it was, there isn’t much we can do about it anyway.

 

[dandingo]

The earthquakes mean nothing. They are not a sign of anything and there are no more strong earthquakes happening now than before.

No, no. I’m not saying that the Oklahoma earthquakes are making me think that the end times are here. My point was about Jesus saying that in the end times, there would be earthquakes. So does that mean that all over the world simultaneously or did He know that Internet and TV would exist and allow us to see them happening all over the world in the end days.

 

[JM3]

Jesus states that there will be famine, pestilence and earthquakes when the end times are here.

No, this is what Jesus said.

Matthew 24

4 And Jesus answering, said to them: Take heed that no man seduce you:
5 For many will come in my name saying, I am Christ: and they will seduce many.
6 And you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that ye be not troubled. For these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be pestilences, and famines, and earthquakes in places:
8 Now all these are the beginnings of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall put you to death: and you shall be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.
10 And then shall many be scandalized: and shall betray one another: and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall seduce many.
12 And because iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold.
13 But he that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom, shall be preached in the whole world, for a testimony to all nations, and then shall the consummation come.
15 When therefore you shall see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place: he that readeth let him understand.

 

[dandingo]

No, this is what Jesus said.

Matthew 24

4 And Jesus answering, said to them: Take heed that no man seduce you:
5 For many will come in my name saying, I am Christ: and they will seduce many.
6 And you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that ye be not troubled. For these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be pestilences, and famines, and earthquakes in places:
8 Now all these are the beginnings of sorrows.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall put you to death: and you shall be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.
10 And then shall many be scandalized: and shall betray one another: and shall hate one another.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall seduce many.
12 And because iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold.
13 But he that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom, shall be preached in the whole world, for a testimony to all nations, and then shall the consummation come.
15 When therefore you shall see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place: he that readeth let him understand.

I may have gotten that wrong but you guys are missing my point. Please read my original post again.

 

[MarcusAndreas]

The conditions Jesus gave describing the end of the world describe history as it always has been, are, and will be. It’s just reemphasizing the fact that nobody knows; the conversation could’ve easily gone like this:

Apostles - When will the world end?
Jesus - When the sky is blue, when the sun is yellow, when the dirt is brown.

Earthquakes, war, etc. are a perpetual part of human history.

 

[beehumble]

The conditions Jesus gave describing the end of the world describe history as it always has been, are, and will be. It’s just reemphasizing the fact that nobody knows; the conversation could’ve easily gone like this:

Apostles - When will the world end?
Jesus - When the sky is blue, when the sun is yellow, when the dirt is brown.

Earthquakes, war, etc. are a perpetual part of human history.

No. God wouldn’t have wasted His time or speak so inefficiently. A first point that refutes this is the Gospel being preached throughout the world. This is a condition Jesus gave, and it does not describe history as it has always been - the Gospel has not always been preached throughout the world.

God bless you.

 

[beehumble]

The earthquakes mean nothing. They are not a sign of anything and there are no more strong earthquakes happening now than before.

People will say this until there are enough of them that they will finally admit that it is unusual. The earthquakes are one of the signs of these end times in which we live.

I felt the Oklahoma earthquake - I live in north Texas. I have never felt an earthquake before nor have many around my area. A friend of mine (agnostic if anything at all, who knows nor cares about Christian teachings including Matthew 24 and earthquakes) asked me, “What is going on with all these earthquakes? It seems something is going on with the earth or something?”

Early last week there was a 4.8 south of San Antonio Texas, again extremely rare for one that large to hit this part of the world. And there was the 5.9 near DC (isn’t the Washington Monument still closed?) The Japan quake, Haiti, and on and on.

Combine this with the massive apostasy (Ireland just closed its Vatican embassy and the faith there is in trouble) and one can see we are deep into the end times period.

Some will continue to fall into the error of proof texting that verse “No one knows the day nor hour…” for awhile but events will force them too to include the verses just prior to that one, when Jesus said there would be signs before He comes.

God bless you.

 

[beehumble]

No, no. I’m not saying that the Oklahoma earthquakes are making me think that the end times are here. My point was about Jesus saying that in the end times, there would be earthquakes. So does that mean that all over the world simultaneously or did He know that Internet and TV would exist and allow us to see them happening all over the world in the end days.

First: Yes, Jesus knew there would be internet and TV.

Second: He said there would be earthquakes in diverse places; He did not say simultaneously, from what I read. He compared them to the onset of labor pains, generally labor pains increase in frequency and intensity until the birth. One could take this to mean in the time of the end, earthquakes and other distresses would increase in intensity and frequency until the Second Coming.

Oklahoma has had earthquakes, but not one this size in our lifetimes. Likewise for the San Antonio and DC quakes.

God bless you.

 

[dandingo]

First: Yes, Jesus knew there would be internet and TV.

Second: He said there would be earthquakes in diverse places; He did not say simultaneously, from what I read. He compared them to the onset of labor pains, generally labor pains increase in frequency and intensity until the birth. One could take this to mean in the time of the end, earthquakes and other distresses would increase in intensity and frequency until the Second Coming.

Oklahoma has had earthquakes, but not one this size in our lifetimes. Likewise for the San Antonio and DC quakes.

God bless you.

That’s my point. How else would people know that there were earthquakes going on in different places without the use of the internet or TV, hence a foreshadowing, or possible foreshadowing?

 

[thistle]

No, no. I’m not saying that the Oklahoma earthquakes are making me think that the end times are here. My point was about Jesus saying that in the end times, there would be earthquakes. So does that mean that all over the world simultaneously or did He know that Internet and TV would exist and allow us to see them happening all over the world in the end days.

There is absolutely nothing unusual about earthquakes. They already happen every day all over the world and that has been the case throughout the history of this planet. Why are people hung up on earthquakes?

 

[thistle]

People will say this until there are enough of them that they will finally admit that it is unusual. The earthquakes are one of the signs of these end times in which we live.

I felt the Oklahoma earthquake - I live in north Texas. I have never felt an earthquake before nor have many around my area. A friend of mine (agnostic if anything at all, who knows nor cares about Christian teachings including Matthew 24 and earthquakes) asked me, “What is going on with all these earthquakes? It seems something is going on with the earth or something?”

Early last week there was a 4.8 south of San Antonio Texas, again extremely rare for one that large to hit this part of the world. And there was the 5.9 near DC (isn’t the Washington Monument still closed?) The Japan quake, Haiti, and on and on.

Combine this with the massive apostasy (Ireland just closed its Vatican embassy and the faith there is in trouble) and one can see we are deep into the end times period.

Some will continue to fall into the error of proof texting that verse “No one knows the day nor hour…” for awhile but events will force them too to include the verses just prior to that one, when Jesus said there would be signs before He comes.

God bless you.

Same old comments from other threads!
We are not in end of times never mind deep in the end of times. That is all rubbish.
I see you worked in your favourite “error of proof texting” phrase. Its getting a bit boring by now.

 

[RPRPsych]

It’s also important to remember that the passage quoted (St. Matthew 24) is not only about the “end of the world”, but it had a more immediate, prophetic application: Our Lord was prophesying about the fall and destruction of Jerusalem, which happened around 70 A.D.

In this context, the entire passage is completely in accordance with what history tells us about that period:

(Information below from “A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture” edited by Dom Bernard Orchard)

1. “earthquakes” occurred in towns of Asia Minor, as well as in Pompeii in 63 A.D.
2. “wars” and “plagues” are attested to by the (secular) writings of Tacitus
3. the early Christians were persecuted, not only by the Jews but by the Romans
4. “false prophets” are attested to not only by secular historians, but in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 5: 34-38)
5. “the gospel shall be preached to the whole world” probably refers to the entire Roman Empire - this was fulfilled by around 60 A.D. or so
6. “the abomination of desolation” could refer either to the Zealots using the Temple of Jerusalem as a fortress, to the desecration of Jerusalem by the Romans, or both.

Of course, as with certain prophecies in Sacred Scripture, there is always the possibility of a second literal fulfillment at the end of time, but let’s also remember the rest of what this particular chapter says:

“But of that day and hour no one knoweth: no, not the angels of heaven, but the Father alone.” (St. Matthew 24: 36)

 

[beehumble]

Same old comments from other threads!
We are not in end of times never mind deep in the end of times. That is all rubbish.
I see you worked in your favourite “error of proof texting” phrase. Its getting a bit boring by now.

And your comments are new?

But the error stands - it would be good if people corrected the error and quoted several verses along with that one verse they take out of context and twist so signs spoken of by Our Lord can be conveniently ignored.

So is one saying Jesus made a mistake when He said in response to a question on the end of the age, there would be earthquakes in diverse places? So then we won’t be able to notice earthquakes as a sign of the end of the age?, and Jesus got it wrong?

God bless you.

 

[beehumble]

It’s also important to remember that the passage quoted (St. Matthew 24) is not only about the “end of the world”, but it had a more immediate, prophetic application: Our Lord was prophesying about the fall and destruction of Jerusalem, which happened around 70 A.D.

In this context, the entire passage is completely in accordance with what history tells us about that period:

(Information below from “A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture” edited by Dom Bernard Orchard)

1. “earthquakes” occurred in towns of Asia Minor, as well as in Pompeii in 63 A.D.
2. “wars” and “plagues” are attested to by the (secular) writings of Tacitus
3. the early Christians were persecuted, not only by the Jews but by the Romans
4. “false prophets” are attested to not only by secular historians, but in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 5: 34-38)
5. “the gospel shall be preached to the whole world” probably refers to the entire Roman Empire - this was fulfilled by around 60 A.D. or so
6. “the abomination of desolation” could refer either to the Zealots using the Temple of Jerusalem as a fortress, to the desecration of Jerusalem by the Romans, or both.

Of course, as with certain prophecies in Sacred Scripture, there is always the possibility of a second literal fulfillment at the end of time, but let’s also remember the rest of what this particular chapter says:

“But of that day and hour no one knoweth: no, not the angels of heaven, but the Father alone.” (St. Matthew 24: 36)

Many experts on this passage state that Jesus was asked two questions and answered both simultaneously, thus He was speaking of both the events of 70 AD and the events of the Second Coming. One such source is *The End of the Present World and the Mysteries of the Future Life * by Father Charles Arminjon.

While no one will know the specific day and time, there will be signs given to us who are not in darkness. Scriptures say so. Jesus said there would be signs and to look up when we see them. Too many Catholics only quote this verse in a stand-alone (Proof-text) fashion and say we won’t know when He comes and stop there, and so they completely ignore the part about how He said there would be signs that serve to announce His return is near. This is a mistake.

From *The End of the Present World and the Mysteries of the Future Life * by Father Charles Arminjon:

“Although Christ wanted to leave us ignorant of the exact time of the end of the world, He deemed it fitting to give us detailed information on the manner and circumstances of this great event.” (page 21)

“Accordingly, in order not to give rise to any misunderstanding or false interpretation, Christ tells us that the afflictions and prodigies of nature, which will mark the latter ages of mankind, are only the prelude and the beginning of still greater sorrows: ‘These are the early stages of the birth pangs.’” (page 12)

"It is important, though, to consider that Christ, in His prophecy, combines in a single scene the signs relating to the end of the world and those relating to the destruction of Jerusalem. He does so, first, because of the analogy between the two events…Secondly, because in God there is no distinction or succession in time. The impending events and those more remote are clearly present to His mind, and He sees them as if they had occurred at the same moment…Hence in His prophecy He shows [the Apostles], as it were, two perspectives and two horizons, having analogous features and alike in relief, pattern, and coloring. In St. Matthew and St. Mark, the two events - the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world - seem rather to be merged. In St. Luke, the two occurrences are very clearly distinguished: there are features that refer solely to the end of the world… " (page 13)

God bless you.

 

[beehumble]

That’s my point. How else would people know that there were earthquakes going on in different places without the use of the internet or TV, hence a foreshadowing, or possible foreshadowing?

I cannot say it is not possible.

For example, there was a massive coronal ejection in the sun around the time of Pentecost this year that amazed scientists. It was observable only through their instruments, but widely disseminated via the internet, including a video that showed the event.

A sign in the sun? (“There will be signs in the sun, the moon…”)

And the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima is another prodigy in the sun that some 70,000 witnessed firsthand but tens of millions more have come to know through modern media.

God bless you.

 

[Darran]

I found this on the net:

Earthquakes in:

1980-1989

6-6.9: 980
7-7.9: 101
8-9.9: 4
Total: 1085

1990-1999

6-6.9: 1339
7-7.9: 147
8-9.9: 6
Total: 1492

2000-2009

6-6.9: 1467
7-7.9: 131
8-9.9: 13
Total: 1611

 

[Darran]

“My people, I want to prepare you for the many disasters that are about to devour your world. There will be many cries for help, but you can only receive help through the Life in Me. If you choose to be like the foolish virgins, then you will receive their reward – I cannot help you. The deterioration of the world as you know it – of which My Mother has many times warned you - has begun. Soon there will be many parts of the world unrecognizable. But for those of you who have taken to heart the truth of My call for your protection, you have nothing to fear – even in the midst of ever-unthinkable evil befalling your world. The Americas, Europe and Asia are about to experience great earthquakes with much destruction and death – death forever for many. The weather will become even more changeable. What you have witnessed in the death of many forms of wildlife is merely a warning of the death coming to humanity as a consequence of sin and denial of Me.”

The world has always tried to be more or less prepared for the end times as the scriptures tell us, the first century is an example of this. However, how come this generation is by far the worst prepared? And what does that say about the situation?

We have people who call themselves protestants making a mockery of the topic, causing even other Christians to attach a bad figure to the prophesies. You MUST expect the devil to work to make as many people unprepared as possible, don’t make the stupid mistake of saying “ah but it’s probably not”. As they say, your only as good as your last second. I don’t care if people feel iffy about Christina Ghallagher, it only shows the devils bias, her messages have a critical message weither people feel iffy or not.

 

[thistle]

I cannot say it is not possible.

For example, there was a massive coronal ejection in the sun around the time of Pentecost this year that amazed scientists. It was observable only through their instruments, but widely disseminated via the internet, including a video that showed the event.

A sign in the sun? (“There will be signs in the sun, the moon…”)

And the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima is another prodigy in the sun that some 70,000 witnessed firsthand but tens of millions more have come to know through modern media.

God bless you.

As you make the claim that we are deep in end times then prove it!!