By the Way: Earthquakes, famines and pestilences
By Lyle Berg on March 7, 2020.
When Jesus spoke of these events which to most is somewhat scary and unnerving, he spoke a couple of times in the gospels of Matthew and Luke warning us of the end times. Among Bible reading Christians most are very aware that we are in as Paul says in second Timothy “the last days.” Yes one may argue that we have always had earthquakes, famines, pestilences etc. But in our lifetime, as Jesus said it will be like the days of Noah and a world shift to falling way from Biblical principles would also transpire prior to Luke 21:27 “at that time they will see the son of man coming in a cloud. With great power and great glory.” As we are seeing a prelude before Jesus comes back, pestilences are like the coronavirus are world wide as Jesus told us and as you see in the news it is not done, septic deaths took 5 million lives in 2019. There are also locust plagues in the middle east, unsurpassing volcanic activity of 1m500 a day, earthquakes averaging 55 a day globally now reaching 9.8. I could spend hours on this and other global events taking place, but Jesus warned mankind in Matthew 24:33 “when you see these things you know that it is near, right at the door.” I truly believe we have been warned as we are witness to these and most disturbing as Paul told us that there would be a great falling away of Christians in the last days as many walk away from Biblical principles and adopt a world view from the unborn to a persons identity. The Bible is very clear to a great deception and a loss of moral standards in the last days. For the believing christian we do realize the sinister plan of the coming ant-christ and his plan to deceive many so that they lose their place in heaven. Yes we are in a life and death struggle spiritually to the end and the battle lines have been drawn. Fortunately for us the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thess. 2:2 “Not to become easily unsettled or alarmed,” in regards to the last days. So then, as believers we are not alarmed but as we see prophecy unfold before our eyes we have a excitement in our hearts that Jesus is coming. We also see the last revival taking place as christianity is out growing the worlds population growth by 2.26%, with China and Iran of all places seeing thousands come to a saving knowledge of Jesus daily. Yes we are living in perilous times, which may worry you and your family, but as Romans 10:8-10 declares, “if you declare with your mouth Jesus is Lord,” and then ask Jesus to forgive you of all wrong (sin), accept what he did on the cross 2,000 years ago become born again as Jesus said in Jn. 3 then you too will have a place in heaven. Once a person starts reading the Bible fear starts subsiding and the Holy Spirit’s joy enters in giving us peace and a understanding that these things around us will take place because on man kinds fallen nature. Am I worried as I watch the latest news and see the Bible prophecy unfold? No but I am concerned for all the people who don’t know Jesus passing away to a place described in the Bible over and over as an eternity of utter eternal torment, a place that no one has to endure if they only open their hearts and let Jesus in. Jesus says to everyone in Hohn 11 “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes In me will never die. Do you believe this?” Do you believe? For questions on this topic or about Jesus and salvation call me any time. See you in church. Pastor Lyle Berg is from First Assembly of God. 13-12
