Birth Pangs and Fig Trees Part 4

As Jesus continues in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), He says that in various places there will be famines and earthquakes; but all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. (24:7-8) You will be quick to notice that part of the title for this series of articles derives from verse 8.

http://www.earth.webecs.co.uk/ states that the number of earth quakes over the past 150 years measuring 7.0 or above on the Richter Scale have definitely increased in frequency - just like birth pangs. And don't forget, the huge 2004 tsunami was caused by an earthquake. The online encyclopedia Wikipedia states that over 70 million people died of famine in the 20th century. These numbers reflect a huge increase over famine death in any previous century, as far as records reveal.

I say this to make the point that natural facts will always reflect the biblical truth revealed in that particular area. With the trends of earthquakes and famines likely to keep increasing, who knows how far along the birthing process we are. But, as Jesus stated, these are only two of many signs. While most of these signs have been with us to a degree throughout the 2000 years of the last days (the church age) their increased intensity and severity will be a sign that Jesus' return is at hand. Just think - record keeping of such things is only about 150-200 years old, so the ability to observe the signs is fairly recent.

Continuing with our parallel comparison between Matthew 24 and Revelation 6, note what happens when the third seal is removed. "When He broke the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, 'Come.' I looked and behold, a black horse; and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard something like a voice in the center of the four living creatures saying, 'A quart of wheat for a denarius (a day's wage) and three quarts of barley for a denarius and do not damage the oil and the wine.'" (v. 5-6) This passage is about famine, when a day's portion of basic food will cost a day's wage.

There is a definite chronological order to the Lord's teaching about His second coming in both Matthew (Mark & Luke also) and in Revelation. The reader should never dismiss these teachings as irrelevant of beyond comprehension. Signs are of no use unless they are understood. At the time of Jesus' first advent, there were plenty of signs accompanying His arrival/presence, but the religious people just didn't get it, even though they understood the signs in the sky regarding weather (Matt. 16:1-3) We should be aware of the signs of Jesus' soon return and be prepared.

In closing today, I give you this link www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=51d46156c0a04e571844 to a short video clip that helps bring some of this into perspective. Let tangle know what you think.

Until next time, be encouraged by Christ