"A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this. When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever: but thou, LORD, art most high for evermore."(Psalms 92:6-8)
A Sure Sign
When will the final end of this world be? Actually, no one knows the exact day or hour: no one, but God the Father. In relation to this, consider the following words of Jesus Christ: "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is."(Mark 13:32-33)
There are various "date setters" who declare that they know the exact day when the end of the world will occur (1)(2)(3)(4). But, in so doing, they are virtually calling Jesus Christ a liar. In all reality, the exact date setters are the ones who are liars. Even Jesus declared that he, the very Son of God, did not know the exact day or hour. Only God the Father knows the exact day and hour. Are we better and smarter on these matters than is the Lord Jesus Christ?
At this point, there is something to clearly understand from the Scriptures. Regarding those who prophecy, it is written: "When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him."(Deuteronomy 18:22)
I someone declares that on a certain date an act of God will occur upon this earth, if it does not happen, from what is indicated in the passage of Scripture above, then they are not the true prophet of God. Instead of a true prophet of God, it appears that they are simply making things up out of their own heart and mind, possibly in an attempt to just get attention.
In the passages of Scripture earlier in this series of discussions, Jesus spoke about some of the signs which would be happening on this earth just before his return. Indeed, we can understand when the time of the end of this world is very near by the signs which we are seeing upon this earth. But, the exact day or hour, we will not know beforehand.
At this point, a question must be asked. Is there any indication in the Scriptures which may help make it obvious when the return of Christ, and the end of the world, is about to happen or is occurring? Is there an unmistakable sign, or are there signs, which indicate that the time is now here? Is there a sign which humanity cannot counterfeit, even with all their technology?
What will be the sign that Christ has finally returned: a sign so massive and so sure that, once again, it cannot be faked by all the power, modern technology, holograms, or persuasion via mass media, or any other means which mankind has at their disposal? Let us consider what the Scripture has to say on this important matter. Let us note the true sign.
It is written: "Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
"Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south."(Zechariah 14:1-4)
Destruction of This World
According to the above prophecy, it appears that Jerusalem will fall one more time in battle. A certain percentage of the Israelites will be going into captivity, once again. It will look like it is all over for Israel. At that point, the the uncorrupted Holy Bible indicates that the Lord shall return and shall go forth to fight against all nations. He shall fight in the same manner in which he fought in the ancient days of battle. At this time will occur those events which will cause the utter destruction of this world.
Now, what is so important about the mount of Olives? First of all, God is the only one with the power to suddenly split the mount of Olives in half and then move the two halves far apart, thus creating a large valley. The false messiah, the one who will be presented to the world prior to the return of the true Son of God, will not have the power to suddenly split the mount of Olives in half and move these halves far apart, while creating a very large valley.
When the mount of Olives splits and the halves move far apart, that is one sure, un-mistakable sign that the genuine Christ has returned. This is a sign which cannot be faked by mere humans. Now, let us consider what will happen to this earth when half of the mountain moves to the north and the other half moves to the south, and a very great valley, possibly many miles wide, is formed between the two halves of this mountain.
The Great Rift
The mount of Olives is located to the west of that which in earlier times was considered as being part of the Great Rift. The Great Rift is an immense network of geologic faults in the thick, ancient crust of the earth. When the mount of Olives splits in two and the two halves move a considerable distance apart, it will greatly stress the area associated with the Great Rift and set off immense earthquakes. It is commonly known that the Great Rift extends southward deep into Africa, but there is much more to this story.
The geologic system associated with the Great Rift, via the Red Sea, connects to the mid-oceanic ridge and rift system: that immense system which passes through every ocean of this earth. In the Indian Ocean, one arm of this rift system travels south of Australia and onward into the eastern Pacific Ocean, where it turns northward. Ultimately, this arm of the rift system traverses beneath the continental landmass of the United States. This rift system now resides beneath the western coastal states of California, Oregon and Washington.
In the Indian Ocean, the other arm of this oceanic rift system goes southward, then turns westward around the southern end of Africa. It then turns northward as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and ultimately appears to wrap around to the east in the Arctic Ocean and then turns and penetrates beneath the landmass in the northern part of Siberia.
When the mount of Olives splits in half and the two halves move miles apart, it may cause the systems associated with the Great Rift to experience the greatest earthquake every felt by the human race. When the Great Rift experiences this massive earthquake, it very possibly could trigger the whole mid-oceanic ridge and rift system.
Massive earthquakes on the mid-oceanic rift system, in turn, could trigger other fault lines upon this earth and cause even more, longlasting earthquakes. This could eventually result in massive earthquakes all over the face of the earth, which could increase in amplitude and intensity.
Then there is the "domino effect" which could potentially come into play. Powerful earthquakes across the face of the earth could trigger the massive eruption of numerous volcanoes. This could allow the superheated magma from below to gush forth and flow all over the face of the earth, burning and burying all things in its path.
The air may become filled with dust, smoke and ash. The light from the sun could be blocked either partially or totally. The light from the moon may be darkened or shine red, depending on the area and situation. This is beginning to sound like the scenario which the uncorrupted Holy Bible describes in very simple terms.
In relation to all of the above, let us not forget about the impactors from space, noted in earlier parts of this discussion series, which impactors will be slamming violently into the earth. The massive impacts will likely set off many additional earthquakes across the face of this earth, just by themselves.
With all of the above thoughts in mind, let us again return to the uncorrupted Holy Bible, in order to better understand what is coming in the days ahead.
The Cities of the Nations
In regards to what will be happening in the days ahead, it is clearly written: "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places."(Revelation 6:12-14)
The passage of Scripture above speaks about a great earthquake. It speaks about a mighty barrage of celestial objects crashing into the earth. In the event, every mountain and island will be moved out of their places.
Again, it is written: "And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
"And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found."(Revelation 16:17-20)
The above passage of Scripture is speaking about the greatest earthquake ever experienced on this earth, which is coming in the times ahead. There are possibly people alive today who will experience this massive, earth-shattering earthquake. There are possibly people alive today who will watch the cities of the nations fall, in this massive quake. There are possibly people alive today who will also see the mighty barrage from heaven, when the stars (which in this case appears to include asteroids and/or comets as well) come slamming violently into the earth.
Utter Devastation
Again, what will happen when the mount of Olives splits in two and the halves spread miles apart? What will happen when the most powerful earthquakes that humanity has ever experienced start in Israel and spread from there throughout the whole world? What will happen when numerous stars come crashing to the earth and cause utter devastation across the face of the earth? What will happen when the impactors cause immense earthquakes to spread across the face of the earth? What will happen when the cities of the nations fall?
What will happen to all those fancy homes and residences which so many have worked so hard to obtain? What will happen to all the magnificent skyscrapers and lesser buildings, virtually worldwide? What will happen when mountains and hillsides come crashing down, and fill the valleys below? What will happen to all the bridges and overpasses, plus the many tunnels which have been built? What will happen to the freeways and road systems?
What will happen to the dams and the reservoirs which they hold back? What will happen to our power and communications systems? What will happen to our nuclear power plants? What will happen to our water and sewer systems? What will happen to our natural gas pipelines? What will happen to our whole infrastructure? Indeed, what will happen to civilization and life itself?
The human race will be utterly humbled in that day. The true God will be the only one exalted in that day. In regards to this matter, consider the nature of that passage of Scripture which follows in the section below.
The Utter Humbling of Humanity
The uncorrupted Holy Bible makes known that the things which were declared to Israel, plus that which happened to them, were also written about for us, for our learning, with these words: "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."(I Corinthians 10:11) In regards to what is coming upon this earth in the days ahead because of the wickedness of humanity, what will it be like and how will humanity be responding to it?
In answer, it is written: "Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low...
"And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he shall utterly abolish. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
"In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; to go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth."(Isaiah 2:10-12, 17-21)
Does not that which is written above at least sound somewhat similar to that which is recorded in the book of Revelation? Let us again look at that passage from the book of Revelation.
Again, it is written: "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
"And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"(Revelation 6:12-17)
And again, it is written: "Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth. And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
"The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again."(Isaiah 24:17-20)
And, it is also written: "Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger."(Isaiah 13:13)
The things spoken about above are those things which shall be coming on this earth in the days ahead, very likely in the lifetimes of many who are here with us today. All of this shall come to pass because humanity refuses to humble themselves before the Most High God of heaven and walk in that true way which he has ordained. So yes, there will be an incredible price to pay.
Before Our Eyes
Many people work very hard to obtain material possessions. Many have also become slaves to pleasure and consumerism. Some do it because of egotism or other reasons. Then there are those who are simply swept along by those around them, via peer pressure and the mass media. But, in a fleeting moment of time, these material things can suddenly all be damaged, destroyed, burned up or taken away in one way or another, along with life also.
The destruction of life and property clearly occurred on a relatively large scale during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. This destruction of life and/or property has also occurred in different ways in disasters at other times in other areas upon this earth. This destruction can readily be seen in the videos, pictures and pages linked below.
It may be rather easy to live in denial and then pass this type of destruction off as being removed from our local situation. But, at this point, there is something to think about. Maybe somebody else, somewhere else "got hit" this time. Yes, Japan, Mexico, Nepal, Indonesia, Italy, New Zealand, or somewhere else "got hit." But, what about next time?
Yes, when it comes to the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, it virtually happened before our very eyes. People all over the world watched these various events unfold via the Internet and television. May we learn a lesson from the events which occurred in other places around the world. It happened to them and, in the times ahead, it may happen to us by other natural or human-caused events. When it happens to us and our "important" material things are destroyed, what will we have to show for all of our labors upon this earth?
There is one important fact. We came into this world with nothing and it is most certain that we can take nothing out with us when we die. May we seriously consider, then, what are those most important things which we should be doing with our lives. In the end, when we stand before God, may we not find that we have truly wasted the time which he has allotted to us, as we have lived our lives totally in vain.
To view pictures and videos of just one recent example of the rather sudden, large-scale destruction of material possessions and lives, simply click on the buttons below. Some of the photos are duplicated in multiple sites, but they are all worth viewing. May these scenes seriously be taken to heart.
Life and its possessions truly are very temporal. Yes, all our hard work may suddenly be taken away or destroyed before our very eyes. So shall it be at the end of this world. So shall it be in that day which is rapidly approaching.
The links below includes pictures and information, plus videos, about the destruction which occurred during the April 2015 Nepal earthquake. In the day of the Lord which is rapidly approaching, the utter devastation will be much worse than this.
Below are links to information and pictures of the devastation which occurred at Bam, Iran, during the earthquake of 2003. Very little was left unscathed.
When the cities of the nations fall during the great earthquakes in the day of the Lord, all over the world, it may look like those things shown above, or very likely far worse, everywhere a person looks. Even the modern "earthquake proof" construction may possibly not hold up. But, even this may be a vast understatement.
The Grand Finale
When the end of the world comes, there will be much more than just massive earthquakes across the face of the earth. There may be numerous volcanoes spewing large volumes of lava across the countryside. These volcanoes will also be spewing large volumes of deadly and noxious gases into the air, along with unimaginable amounts of volcanic ash. The combination of lava and ash shall literally bury and destroy the various population centers. But there is yet more.
The Holy Bible declares: "And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind." (Revelation 6:13) In other words, the earth, alongside everything else which is breaking loose in nature, will be lambasted with a mighty barrage of large falling stars, or asteroids and comets. As all this happens, the Bible shows that "every mountain and island were moved out of their places."(Revelation 6:14)
When the mighty barrage of celestial objects hits the earth and moves every mountain and island out of their places, this also will produce massive earthquakes across the face of the earth, with magnitudes far in excess of anything which is recorded in history. No human structure will stand up to the onslaught. And yet, there is more to this picture.
The Vesture
About the Most High God and the things he has created, it is written: "Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed..."(Psalm 102:25-26)
It is likewise recorded in the New Testament: "And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: they shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail."(Hebrews 1:10-12)
What do the words above mean? Will the earth be utterly destroyed in the judgment of God, and no longer exist? Or, is something else being said here? Let us consider this matter further.
Regarding the heavens and the earth, it states that they "shall wax old like a garment." But then it states that "as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed." Please note that the Word of God declares the earth and the heavens will be changed. It does not state that they will be utterly done away with.
The passages of Scripture above use the words "like a garment" and "as a vesture" to let us understand exactly what is going on here. A garment or a vesture is an outer covering of the main body. The orb of the earth will remain, while the outer surface or covering is utterly changed by all the forces of nature brought to bear upon it.
As the celestial objects slam into the earth and the mountains and islands are moved out of their places, "wounds" will be opened in the earth where things are "torn." Out of these wounds or tears will gush a flood of basalts. These flood basalts flow rather rapidly over the surrounding territory. A Wikipedia entry on Flood Basalt, linked here, states that flood basalt episodes have resulted "in large volcanic provinces, creating plateaus and mountain ranges on Earth." But there is more to this story.
The Wikipedia entry linked above also states: "Large igneous provinces have been connected to five mass extinction events, and may be associated with bolide impacts." Yes, these massive basalt flows which flood across the land may be the result of impacts from large space objects, like asteroids. So when the "stars" slam into the earth, there may be massive basalt flows flooding across the land, all over the world.
As has happened in the geologic history of the earth, during massive basalt flows, flood after flood of basalt gushes out and flows in every direction, burning and burying virtually everything in the surrounding region under thick layers of basalt. As this is happening, the outer garment or vesture or covering of the earth is changed. When this event occurs, the earth is now cleansed and new on the outside. In the midst of all this, the wicked and their many works shall be destroyed from the earth. Yes, the end of the world, the end of the wicked, shall be accomplished.
To the People of God
It is written: "Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it."(Psalm 37:34)
And again, it is written: "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked."(Psalm 91:7-8) That is how things will be, once the mighty judgment from God begins.
And again: "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain."(Isaiah 26:20-21)