Many people don’t believe we are the generation who will see the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, but the evidence is all around us.
When the Lord’s disciples asked Him about the signs of the time of His return, He answered by giving them the following list of early warning signs, which He described as birth pangs.
- Appearance of many false prophets (Matthew 24:5)
- Wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6-7)
- Famines (Matthew 24:7)
- Earthquakes (Matthew 24:7)
The birth pangs would be followed by a time of tribulation, which would include the following signs.
- Increased persecution of believers (Matthew 24:9)
- A great falling away from the faith (Matthew 24:10)
- More false prophets (Matthew 24:11)
- Increased lawlessness (Matthew 24:12)
- Most people’s love will grow cold (Matthew 24:12)
- The rise of an evil king attempting to rule from the temple in Jerusalem, which implies the temple will be rebuilt (Matthew 24:15)
The Lord Jesus further explained the generation that sees these signs will not all pass away before all of them are fulfilled (Matthew 24:32-34). So when we see these signs, beginning with the birth pangs, we know we are getting close. In other words, these events will not drag on for hundreds of years, but will all be fulfilled within a matter of decades, within the span of a generation, which scriptures define as seventy to eighty years (Psalm 90:10).
One of the major events that must be fulfilled before the Lord’s return is the rebirth of the nation of Israel. The Lord Jesus did not mention it specifically in his list, but he implied it by giving instructions to the people of Judea to flee to the mountains when they see the lawless one enter the temple in Jerusalem (Matthew 24:16). So they must be living in the land of Judea at that time.
The prophet Isaiah stated it more directly:
11 Then it will happen on that day that the Lord will again recover the second time with His hand the remnant of His people, who will remain, from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
12 And He will lift up a standard for the nations and assemble the banished ones of Israel, and will gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. (Isaiah 11:11-12)
Isaiah specifically stated they would return to the land of Israel from the nations of the earth “a second time” because it already happened once before after their exile to Babylon and Assyria. Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled with the re-birth of modern Israel on May 15, 1948.
No other nation has ever returned to their homeland to rise again after being conquered and scattered among the nations, but Israel has done it twice. For the first time in nearly 2,000 years, the instructions given to the people of Judea by the Lord Jesus can be fulfilled.
I believe Israel’s rebirth in 1948 marked the beginning of the season of birth pangs. Wars and rumors of wars followed immediately as the new nation was invaded the next day by mechanized armies from five Arab nations in what appeared to be a quick ending to their new nation. Israel had no navy and no military aircraft. Their fighting force consisted largely of emaciated holocaust survivors. Yet against unbelievable odds, God gave them the victory.
More wars followed in 1967 and 1973. Israel was attacked in 1991 by scud missiles from Iraq, which did amazingly little damage as the missiles were either shot down, missed their targets, or in some cases miraculously blown out to sea. Even during times of peace, Israel has been constantly terrorized by Islamic militants. Yet, surrounded by enemies on all sides and hated by most of the world, Israel has not only survived, but has thrived as a military power and an economic miracle.
The rebirth of Israel was such a significant event in the spiritual realm, evidence shows the earth itself was changed and has never been the same. Data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which is a scientific agency of the United States federal government, shows a dramatic increase in major earthquake activity ever since the rebirth of Israel. The graph below shows earthquake activity in ten-year increments from 1900 to 2019.
The chart shows earthquakes over 5.6 magnitude because that is the threshold for major destruction. Amazingly, the final decade, 2010 to 2019, is still in progress with over three years still remaining, but it has already exceeded all previous periods. The trend is clearly up and accelerating.
The USGS has no agenda, no reason to fabricate historical data. Yet, the evidence shows the earth has been reeling ever since the rebirth of Israel. I believe we are seeing the beginning of the fulfillment of what the prophet Isaiah saw:
19 The earth is broken asunder, the earth is split through, the earth is shaken violently.
20 The earth reels to and fro like a drunkard and it totters like a shack, for its transgression is heavy upon it, and it will fall, never to rise again.
21 So it will happen in that day, that the Lord will punish the host of heaven on high, and the kings of the earth on earth.
22 They will be gathered together like prisoners in the dungeon, and will be confined in prison; and after many days they will be punished.
23 Then the moon will be abashed and the sun ashamed, for the Lord of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and His glory will be before His elders. (Isaiah 24:19-23)
Earthquake activity will continue to increase until the Lord returns, climaxing after the seventh bowl of God’s wrath is poured out. Then there will be a great earthquake unlike any other in history.
17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl upon the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple from the throne, saying, “It is done.”
18 And there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been since man came to be upon the earth, so great an earthquake was it, and so mighty.
19 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. Babylon the great was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of His fierce wrath.
20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (Revelation 16:12-14)
Conclusion:
Just as the Lord Jesus prophesied, Isaiah identified increased earthquake activity as a sign of the Lord’s soon return. Surely we are the generation who will see all of these things fulfilled.
It is time for God’s people to understand the hour is late and it is time to prepare for His return. It is time for pastors to stop avoiding teaching these scriptures for fear of alarming the people. God will hold them accountable.
Let us not be like the five foolish virgins who were unprepared when the bridegroom returned. They missed His return because they failed to keep oil for their lamps. Those who were ready went into the wedding feast, but the five foolish virgins knocked on the door, saying, “Lord, Lord, open up for us.”
He answered, “Truly I say to you, I do not know you.”
We must be on the alert, keeping oil in our lamps, because we don’t know the day nor the hour (Matthew 25:1-13).
Author: James Bailey
James Bailey is a blogger, business owner, husband and father of two grown children. In 1982, he surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. In 2012, he founded Z3news.com to broadcast the message of salvation by reporting end time news before it happens.
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James thank you. This is what we’re going over in our bible study. I believe GOD is getting really tired of this world. And all the evil, I’m too. . This information is helpful in so many ways . I agree the time is near. I’m doing everything I can to reach people. Bf it’s too late. Good news my grandson join church and got saved and Baptisp. We go to church together. I will be watching for more lessons. Ur doing a great job
Thanks Linda. That’s great news about your grandson.
3 earthquakes in Israel in the past few days.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.jpost.com/Israel-News/Three-minor-earthquakes-hit-Israel-serious-one-only-a-matter-of-time-561773/amp
Hawaii was just struck with a 6.9 earthquake near the Kilauea volcano which has been actively erupting. This is the biggest Hawaiian earthquake since 1975 (Interesting that it was ’75). The Ring of Fire continues to wake up. http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/38087728/new-kilauea-eruption-triggers-house-fires-as-hundreds-evacuate-area
hawaii is not that far from Tokyo, Japan as the crow flies. This earthquake and volcano brought to mind al our discussion on Mt Fuji erupting.
There have been 770 earthquakes in the past 2 weeks in Yellowstone. That number has showed up before. It is the height of the Oroville Dam that almost failed in February (770ft). https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/90224/update-770-earthquakes-yellowstone-past-two-weeks-prelude-big-one/#z7sw8Mhts6iUZ6MA.97
Thanks for the update Christian.
Just saw a big confirmation in the Japan earthquake data. Latest quake occurred at 5:57 on March 31 and was magnitude 3.7. I had been praying that I would receive some form of confirmation to support what I had been finding in my calendar study. The first confirmation came from James’ post about the 7 day turnaround. The timing of the post as well as the 7 day window confirmed some dates for me. The earthquake data has two affirmations in it. The 5:57 has always meant “grace” regarding the “57” study. I see it frequently in license plates while driving and everyday life. The 3.7 magnitude is an affirmation of the theory that this year we are seeing the 37th anniversary of prophetic events that occurred in 1980. There are two events that I am watching for in the next week. First, I really believe that we will see the large earthquake that Neville Johnson mentioned in the next few days. There are 3 different confirmations for this time period. First, the chain of dates that has been like a treasure hunt. One clue leads to the next, or in this case, the numbers from one date point to the next date. The 5th of Nisan is the next date. I still have some unresolved questions regarding observational vs. Hillel calendar, so I cannot narrow it down to closer than 2-3 days. This time period is also the one year Hebrew calendar anniversary of the Kumamoto earthquakes that caused so much damage in Japan last spring. The theory about the 37th anniversaries ties in as well. Earthquake activity and phreatic eruptions occurred under and around Mt. St. Helens on the Hebrew dates that are coming up in the next few days. They were the precursor to the eruption almost 60 days later. The last eruption of Mt. Fuji had earthquake activity that occurred 49 days prior to the eruption. Mt. St. Helens followed a similar pattern. I believe that the Neville’s Japan earthquake will precede Mt. Fuji’s eruption and we will see that earthquake soon. There are two astronomical confirmations as well. Comet Panstarrs will make its closes approach to earth within a few days. It was discovered when it was 5.7 AU from the sun. Comet 41P/Tuttle–Giacobini–Kresák is making its closest approach as well. It will be 137,000,000 miles from earth at its closest point. The other thing that I am watching is a sudden drop in the price of silver on Thursday of next week. That day is the 10th of Nisan and the 37th Hebrew calendar anniversary of Silver Thursday. This was the time period when the Egyptians turned over their gold and silver to the Israelites. The last time there was a large earthquake in Japan, the US dollar slide in value on fears that Japan would sell off their treasuries to pay for reconstruction. If that happens this time, and the dollar drops in value, I would not be surprised if the silver and gold market is manipulated down to prop up the dollar. The timing seems to line up.
Amazing detail – appreciate greatly reading your posts!
Thanks James Lincoln! I guess we will know soon if it is accurate.
This was the official statement by Japan last Thursday. “The Government of Japan deeply deplores that the Government of Israel announced the approval of the construction of about 3000 housing units in the Jewish settlements in the West Bank”. Japan has made repeated statements against Israel’s settlement policy in the past few months. The same thing happened in 2011 before the 9.11 earthquake and tsunami. Keep an eye on February 11th. It could just be another signpost, or it could be the earthquake that Neville Johnson mentioned. http://english.pnn.ps/2017/02/03/japan-israeli-settlement-activities-are-in-violation-of-international-law/
2016 was a record year for earthquakes for New Zealand. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11775558
Japan is showing bigger activity again. This is the time on the Hebrew calendar when Fuji erupted in 1707 and the Nankai earthquake and tsunami occurred in 1947. If a large Japanese quake happens this week, we could be looking at a California earthquake very soon. I am wondering if it will tie in with the Obama administration pushing for a two state solution in Israel. The timing seems to line up. http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/20161228215536395-282138.html
John Kerry speech live:http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Live-Kerry-lays-out-vision-for-Israeli-Palestinian-peace-476753
Big earthquake in Pacific. JMS is evaluating for possible tsunami. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us200081v8#executive
More sounding alarms
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE_KgYLQCK0