Tsunami marks Jesus' return??

[p_panzerschreck]

My pastor said the other day about when Jesus’ disciples asked him when will he return, and wanted Jesus to give signs before his return, Jesus said that: ‘Nation will rise against nation, kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful signs from heaven.’

In the past 100 years the most terrifying wars happened, and now the tsunami. Of course there isn’t fearful signs from heave yet but, who knows, maybe it will come tomorrow.

Luke 21

[andrewblow]

Matthew, Mark and Luke record the warning and information from Jesus regarding what will happen shortly prior to his return.

Firstly lets accept - whether we want to accept it's relevance of not - that there IS global warming. Most of tonights BBC news in Britain was to do with sea defences, as yet another flood 'greater than living memory' has devastated another city and London itself is considered to be in danger.

Look at the some other facts:
Japan - 10 storms this year - previous high - 6
Tropical storm Ana - first time ever to form in April
Florida - 4 hurricanes in six weeks
247 tornadoes in September - previous high 139
(Storm diary - The Times 4/12/04)
Right now - worst snows in Califiornia for 90 years, with a triple weather system over the USA never seen before.

These are described by Jesus as 'birth-pangs'. Birth-pangs for a woman increase in intensity and duration - and now we have the most devastating yet - the Tsunami in Asia.
THIS IS A 'WAKE-UP CALL' TO THE WORLD

The interesting thing is that prophesy suggests that 'people' will almost totally DISREGARD these warnings from God - and carry on just as they always have - in denial and rebellion.

Personally speaking, I have seen the TV on many terrible tragedies, but none have affected me as much as the Asian disaster. But I also appreciate the reasons:

Haggai 2, 6/7 (God speaking)
"In those days I will shake the heavens and the earth - and the oceans to, and the dry land. I will shake the nations and the 'Desire of all nations (Jesus Christ) shall come to His temple, and I will fill this place with my glory".

I'm the first to acknowledge that I'm not sure exactly what this means, but I think the suggestion here is that God will 'shake the world' to get our attention - and then do something like we've never seen before.

We have all just celebrated Christmas. Jesus Christ coming first time. That was a quiet, humble event, but prophesied about and prepared for (Wise men / star, etc) I believe that we are seeing God prepare us for the "final event", when Jesus Christ shall come the second time - in all of heaven's glory -but whether we want to come on board or not is another matter. These are the prophesies my friends - these are the preparations.

However, Jesus said to his disciples "don't be afraid, for these things must happen." When our lives belong to God, we don't need perpetual fear.

Andrew

[andrewblow]

In direct comparison - no: you're correct.

Many good men - indeeed many of God's men to whom he has given great leadereship qualities and insight - have spoken into our knowledge, but they could only expand and explain what God had already made known to us....one way or the other. There has been no more direct revelation that is extra-over to God's Word.There is valid discussion over what actually constitutes 'God's Word' but that's discussed elsewhere.....and that's not the thrust of this thread.

We are discussing the rise in the number and ferocity of natural disasters that are currently hitting our world.

Andrew

[ANDY-J1]

Originally posted by andrewblow

We are discussing the rise in the number and ferocity of natural disasters that are currently hitting our world.

I don't believe the frequency or ferocity of natural disasters is any greater nowadays than in the past.In the so called "Ring of fire" in Asia,for example natural disasters,such as earthquakes and tsunamis have been occuring for thousands of years.We are certainly more aware of natural disasters and as the population of the world increases then obviously there will be a comparable increase in the numbers of people suffering however much to the dissapointment of the religious prophets of doom and despair natural disasters are not becoming more common.

[andrewblow]

Jesus came 1st time to fulfil prophesy that stated that God himself would need to join us in our world to be capable of living, dying and in God's power rising again to re-establish the broken relationship between God and Man.

His 2nd coming (put extremely simply) will be to personally meet and gather up all those who have followed Him - and then back to His place

And Grendel - you are absolutely right - there has been no other man / person who has anything to say about world tragedies (worth listening to) except Jesus Christ. The original post asked if these things are specifically sent to us to signify the 'beginning of the end'. The answer is "YES" and it would be dangerous to let anyone pursuade you otherwise.


Andrew

[Mamie]

Excuse me Andrew - no one?

You should do more reading then

Perhaps you could start with the Anglo-Saxon chronicle.

[andrewblow]

I can't think where Jesus 'defended' corrupt people, except to point out to other hypocritical persons their hypocracy. He loved the rich man - but was sad with his selfishness. He stopped a woman getting stoned, but in doing so showed other's their own sin and turned the woman away from sin. He followed his fathers' policy- 'Love the sinner, but hate the sin'.

Gren, we don't make the rules !! God saw that sin was wrecking human lives - so he did something about it due to extreme love for us. What he did and how he did it and whether we accept it or not is a matter of choice.....albeit a choice that decides our eternal destiny.

Sure - it's a difficult concept - but allow your mind to leave human logic for a moment and try accepting certain things by faith....allowing God to fill in some gaps..... just for starters.

Andrew