The "Birth Pangs" Intensify--Jan Markell
--> Posted to Jans_Articles for January, 2005

 
THE “BIRTH PANGS” INTENSIFY
By Jan Markell

Many who are good with words are without words describing the scenario that unfolded on December 26, 2004. As a result of one of the worst tsunamis in history, the planet “vibrated,” said the head of Italy’s National Geophysics Institute. The earth wobbled on its axis and the regional map of south Asia was permanently altered. The island of Sumatra moved 100 feet. Time stood still for three microseconds. The impact of the 500 mile-per-hour waves was equal to one million atom bombs. And it will take ten years to put the broken pieces together.

Secular commentators who know nothing about “end-time” events said this was “apocalyptic” in nature and of “biblical proportion.” Compared to the great flood in Genesis, this was hardly comparable, but it still has biblical significance. Once again we see the “intensification of the birth pangs” mentioned in Luke 21:25. There we read that men’s hearts will fail them due to the roaring of the sea and the waves. There would be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. The powers of the Heavens would be shaken. And Jesus says, “These things must happen.” Apocalyptically-speaking, the Great Tribulation will resemble south Asia all over the world. Fox News and CNN will be very busy at that time capturing it all on video.

Some blame the “godlessness” of the region suggesting that because 98% are Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims, God struck out at them because they worship thousands of gods. Yet is that any more of an offence than the debauchery of much of the Western world? The victims of the tragedy occupy the “10-40 Window”—in a sense, a “window of missionary opportunity” due to the extensive unbelief. Of the “unreached groups” in the world, 78% are in this region.

Who is to say that Indonesian babies are guiltier than American babies, or that the South Asian corruption industry is worse than that of the Western world? All the world—not just South Asia—is being called to account by God to take notice.

At exactly the same time on December 26, 2003, an earthquake struck Iran killing 25,000 people. At that time, Iran turned down Israel’s aid, in a sense, preferring death to life as Israel could have saved some victims. On December 26, 2004, India and Sri Lanka also turned down Israel’s aid. Yet they did accept the aid of donated rupees from India’s prostitution industry. We are in an upside-down world.

While the world is asking, “Why, God?” and throwing abuses at Him, one has to accept the fact that God owes no man an explanation of anything. Incredible survival stories have surfaced that show His Hand was involved in sparing many, particularly many believers.

The disaster is a wake-up call, and they are usually God-sent, to get people to turn back to God. They will bring “perplexity” (Luke 21:25) to all who see them. The earth is “polluted” and thus “the foundations of the earth shake. The earth reels to and fro” (Isa. 24:1-21).

We have entered the biblical “time of sorrows” referenced in Luke 21. The event is such an obvious wake-up call as to the lateness of the hour that one almost expects Gabriel’s horn to blast momentarily—and it might. Those with skewed eschatology that is neither biblically or intellectually honest should be doing a double-take. How much clearer does it need to be that the hour is late? People are perishing for a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). The lost are perishing under unimaginable circumstances. Will this shake up the comfortable or change some of the “feel good” messages heard in our pulpits? Time will tell.

One has to read on in Luke 21 to find the hope: “When you see these things begin to happen, look up and know your redemption draws nigh” (Luke 21:28).

Be sure to visit our Web site, www.olivetreeviews.org and go to the category of “Signs in Nature.” There you will read about the sudden escalation of similar events.

(Jan Markell is founder/director of Olive Tree Ministries, Inc. She has authored eight books, produced ten videos, and has a live, talk radio show out of Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. For more information, see her Web site, www.olivetreeviews.org.)

 
Maranatha!
Deborah
* * .(\ *** /).*. *
   * (\ (_) /) *
 * . (_/ ll\_) . * .
  * . /___\ . *
      * .. *