So far this year the Earth has suffered 21 major earthquakes and a massive volcanic eruption.  The weather has been the worst for decades in many parts of the world.  Wars continue to be waged around the globe.  There is famine, plague, the continuing AIDS epidemic, the re-emergence of tuberculosis and other “disappeared” diseases.  Is the end of the world nigh?

Since the start of the year there have been major earthquakes - ie measuring above 6.0 on the Richter Scale - in the Solomon Islands (four), California, Haiti, Papua New Guinea (two), in the China-Russia-North Korea border region, Japan (two), Chile (four), Sumatra (two), Turkey, Mexico, China and Spain. 

The Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull  erupted twice recently, last week pumping a cloud of volcanic dust and glass particles into the skies over northern Europe which brought airline flights to a halt in the northern hemisphere for six days. 

The weather this winter in many parts of the world has been catastrophic: the rain in Spain has been the worst in living memory; snow and ice in northern Europe the worst for over three decades.  Conversely, because the Gulf Stream shifted, Vancouver in Canada didn’t have enough snow for the Winter Olympics. 

Huge parts of the Third World continue to be devasted by famine, drought and disease. 

And there is widespread economic chaos.

Was this not all predicted in the Holy Bible? In his Gospel, Luke, quoting Jesus, wrItes:
“When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."

Then He [Jesus] said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.”

Luke 21: 9-11 (New International Version)

Sleep well!

Out of interest the quake in Spain just over a week ago occurred 25 km (15 miles) south east of Granada, 90 km (55 miles) east north east of Malaga, 100 km (60 miles) west north west of Almeria,  and 375 km (235 miles) south of Madrid.  Although it measured 6.3 on the Richter Scale, there was little reported damage.

©  Paul Whitelock