Speculation has already begun and will no doubt further escalate, that tremors in a region not generally known for perceptible seismic activity could be a sign of what many call the “end times.” From the quote, unquote, Christian vantage point, the erroneous eschatology is based on a misreading of passages in the Bible referred to as the “Olivet discourse,” so designated because Jesus delivered the address while on the mount of Olives.
In the discussion, found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, Jesus is asked a question about the Jewish temple he had just exited and condemned to be “desolate.” Understanding the destruction of the “holy place” meant the end of the old covenant age, Christ’s disciples, understandably, wanted to know when it would occur and what signs would lead up to it.
The record of Jesus’s oration includes a laundry list of portents that, without consideration of the time indicators, could apply to literally ANY epoch of human history since then:
to name some.
- False Christs
- Wars and rumors of wars
- Nation rising against nation and kingdom against kingdom
- Famines
- Earthquakes
Removing, ignoring, or reinterpreting Christ’s unambiguous proclamation of Matthew 24:34, Mark 13:30, and Luke 21:32 - as to WHEN these events would cease to be prophetic signs and the end (of the old covenant age) would happen - as today’s prophecy pundits have done, has created a breeding ground for wanton tomfoolery.
Concerning WHEN Jesus declares: “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place.” Can there be any doubt that the near demonstrative phrase THIS GENERATION refers to those whom Christ was addressing? Is there the tiniest possibility that ALL THESE THINGS somehow excluded any sign preceding the time referent?
Although the obvious answer is an emphatic “NO,” sadly, it seems to be “yes” for those who approach the Scriptures with reckless abandon and preconceived notions. The plain truth is that the sack of Jerusalem, the destruction of Herod’s temple, and the transition from the Old Testament era to the new are being discussed in these passages. And true to His word the events did come to pass before that generation passed away when, under the command of Titus, the Roman armies wreaked their cataclysmic havoc.
No matter how prophecy frauds like Hal Lindsey, John Hagee and the like try to deceptively twist post-modern earthquake statistics as they conjunctively contort Bible verses, the end spoken of, with its attendant precursory earthquakes, happened in AD 70. Just like Jesus said it would.
Until next time...
