This is the third installment in a 6-part series on prophecies that must be fulfilled before Jesus comes to reign on Earth. If you haven’t read the first 2 posts, check them out here and here. Today I will be focusing on the geological and astronomical signs that we should be expecting to be fulfilled.
Geological and Astronomical Signs
Jesus shared several of the geological and astronomical signs in a single verse – Luke 21:11.
There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
Right off the bat we see that we should be watching for earthquakes, famines, pestilences and signs in the skies! First, let’s focus on earthquakes.
Earthquakes
There are numerous verses that predict the earthquakes like Isaiah 29:5-7 and Haggai 2:6-7. But I would like to focus on the Revelation verses about earthquakes. Revelation 6:12 tells us that at the opening of the sixth seal, there will be a great earthquake. In Revelation 8:5 an angel hurls a fiery sensor to the earth, which results in another earthquake. Next, we come to Revelation 11:13, which describes an earthquake that will occur when the two witnesses rise from the dead. Finally, Revelation 16:18 describes the worst earthquake of all time! This one will occur at the pouring out of the seventh bowl of God’s wrath.
If you’re like me, you might wonder what the deal is with the earthquakes. Other earthquakes in Scripture were related to resurrections. In fact, the first resurrection was accompanied by an earthquake (Matthew 28:2). In Matthew 21:51-53, we find that many holy people raised as well at the time of this earthquake. This recent video by Nelson Walters talks about that. I believe that as we get closer to the second resurrection, the number of earthquakes will continue to increase.
Pestilences and Famines
The next thing Jesus mentioned in the Olivet Discourse were pestilences and famines in various places. Jesus described these events to John in great detail in Revelation 6:5-8, at the time of the third and fourth horsemen and the opening of the third and fourth seals. It is interesting that this year we are expecting a global famine. We don’t need to fear when we read headlines like the ones listed below; instead, we should praise God for telling us ahead of time!
- German development minister says world may face worst famine since WW2 (bignewsnetwork.com)
- Russia ‘steals 400,000 tons of grain’ from Ukraine sparking famine warning (yahoo.com)
Roaring Seas and Raging Waves
Now we will look at a less familiar geological sign. Luke 21:25 says,
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.”
We have seen lots of roaring waves during hurricanes and tsunamis, and along with them, people are perplexed and in anguish. We should expect to see more of these kinds of events, because Jesus said to watch for them. But like the Psalmist, we will not fear!
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Astronomical Signs
When Jesus returns, we will see Him coming on the clouds, but Scripture tells us of other astronomical signs as well. Matthew 24:29 tells us that immediately after the Great Tribulation and right before the Second Coming:
“‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
Revelation 12:1 tells of a great sign in heaven: “a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.” No wonder Jesus said that when we see these all these signs happen, we should look up, for our redemption will soon follow.
Be aware of the signs Jesus gave us, and when you see these things occurring around you and throughout the world, be excited. Jesus is coming soon!
Lisa Gallington has been studying the Word since she was 12 years old, with a special interest in end times prophecy. She has a passion for preparing the Church and everyone she comes in contact with for the return of Christ. She leads women’s ministry at her church and teaches a Bible study, often connecting the studies to end times prophecies and prophetic headlines. She has authored several books including End Times Preppers Devotionals and the accompanying End Times Preppers Bible Study and Foundation of Faith: Hebrews 11.
