RPG Adults
SIGNS OF HIS COMING: EARTHQUAKES
THURSDAY, JANUARY 23
Psalm 114
Revelation 6:12-17
Are we like the fools who despise
wisdom and instruction?
SIGNS OF HIS COMING: EARTHQUAKES
The 20th Century has seen twenty times more earthquakes than the 19th, and they are bigger and more destructive. The world was horrified by the quakes in Turkey and Taiwan. The two quakes in Turkey in August and November 1999 took more than 18,000 lives (http://kaynasli.homepage. com on 7 December 1999). The one in Taiwan in September l999 took more than 1,100 lives (http://cnn.com, 21 September 1999).
Devastating quakes have struck many countries of the world during the past three decades eg. China, Algeria, Turkey, Central Asia. In the mid- 1970s in Tangshan, China, half a million were killed. In October 1980, 20,000 were killed in two quakes in Algeria. In January 1990, Perth in Western Australia, regarded as “quake-free” was hit by a modest quake.
The disciples asked Jesus, “What shall be the sign of thy coming?” (Matt 24:3). Our Lord’s reply merits close study by all who are concerned about this MOMENTOUS EVENT. Among other signs mentioned in Matthew 24:4‑7, Jesus said, “There shall be earthquakes in diverse places,” just as the world experienced in the 20th Century. What is the meaning? The royal household staff tremble at the king’s return after a long absence. In the same way, the creation shakes at the approach of its Creator after a long absence. “Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord…” said the inspired Psalmist in Psalm 114:7. Joel said, “The day of the LORD cometh… the earth shall quake… for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible…” (Joel 2:1, 10-11).
THOUGHT: Have you ever experienced an earthquake? It is said to be a most fearful thing.
PRAYER: Father, help me not to fear that which can kill the body but is not able to kill the soul, but rather to fear God who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt 10:28).