PRAIRIE PARSON
by Pat Mulligan Jones
People around the world are STILL talking about the December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, that affected thirteen Southeast Asian countries, and visitors there from thirty-six nations. Prior to the earthquake associated with the Tsunami, there was a huge earthquake at the bottom of the ocean near Australia. Thank God, it didn't cause problems for anyone in that area, too! The survivors and family members who lost loved ones to the Tsunami truly need our prayers. We need to also pray for the ones who are trying to help survivors, and to help clean up those areas.
What about the December and other earthquakes rocking our world, and the Indian Ocean Tsunami? Why did such disasters occur? According to environmental expert, Geoffrey Lean, the Indian Ocean shores had been protected in the past by solid barriers of the reef. However, Mr. Lean says that only about a third of the world's reefs are still healthy. He says that about one fifth are already destroyed. The islands of Diego Garcia and the Maldives were isolated and vulnerable in the Indian Ocean, too, but were still ringed by coral reefs and mangroves for more protection. Why were the protecting coral reefs and man-groves no longer protecting the Tsunami-affected areas? In a nutshell -- MAN!
According to Mr. Lean, man has done fishing in those areas, of course, but also used some dynamite there. Then there has been "pollution, quarrying for construction materials, and global warming" that have been major culprits. Man has also cut down and removed mangroves to build tourist resorts and shrimp farming. there was much less damage and loss of lives where there are healthy coral reefs and mangroves. But along with man's explanations, a big explanation is found in Luke 21. It's a part of the signs of the prophecied end times. Luke 21:11 prophecies, "Great earthquakes shall be in diverse places...." That explains why we've heard of so many earthquakes all over the world, but what about the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean?
I believe that could be answered in Luke 21:25. In more recent years, I've heard about the oceans/seas starting to ROAR, as was predicted for the end times. But look at Luke 21:25. The King James version of the Bible describes the end times sign of "the sea AND the WAVES roaring." The New International Version says of that verse, "....On the Earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the ROARING and TOSSING of the sea [oceans, too]" Verse 26 continues to describe that and other end times signs this way: "Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken." There will most likely be more Tsunamis occurring in more parts of the world any time. Did you also know that the sun has been experiencing sun flares much like our earthquakes, too, and has probably been affecting the Earth some?
We will continue to see more and more end times signs prophecied in God's Word. None of us know WHEN the Rapture of Christians will take place. Luke 21:27 says, "And THEN shall they see the Son of Man COMING IN A CLOUD with POWER and GLORY." I Thessalonians 4:15 - 17 further describes the any time Rapture: ".....We which are ALIVE and REMAIN unto the coming of the Lrod shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall DESCEND FROM HEAVEN with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we WHICH ARE ALIVE, and REMAIN shall be CAUGHT UP TOGETHER [means the 'Rapture'] with them IN THE CLOUDS, to MEET THE LORD in the AIR: and so shall we ever be WITH the Lord." After that, there will be more and more devastating times.
However, there is hope for us. Luke 21:36 promises all those who are saved/born again through Jesus Christ that they need to watch for Him and pray continuously," .....that ye may be ACCOUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE ALL these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." Some people believe that the Rapture will occur BEFORE the most dreaded Tribulation Period, where the wrath of God will be so demonstrated, and the devil will have his way through the Revelation 13 antichrist/"beast." (Personally, I believe the Christians will be Raptured BEFORE that dreaded time. I don't believe that Jesus (the Groom) would want His Bride (the Church/Christians) battered and torn before the great Wedding Feast of the Lamb.) Other people believe that the Rapture will come in the middle of the Tribulation Period, of after it is over. But do you know what? It really doesn't matter WHEN the Rapture will happen. None of us know WHEN it will happen. Matthew 24:36 tells us, "But of that day and hour KNOWETH NO MAN, no, not the angels in Heaven, but my Father ONLY." The major thing is that we need to KEEP watching and praying, and growing our relationship with Jesus Christ, and make sure we are READY ANY TIME, regardless of WHEN it occurs!
My question to all of us is, "If more Tsunamis come in diverse places of the world, along with more prophecied end times signs, death comes our way, or the Rapture suddenly occurs, are our hearts and lives READY for Heaven at all times? If another deadly Tsunami, or the Rapture were to occur before this issue's column could ever be printed, how many people we know now would be LEFT BEHIND?!
-0-
Back to "Prairie Parson" Columns I've Written
Note: - If you provide an email address on any of these pages, I do not share or sell it outside of the Respond team. You may receive an email from someone other than myself, this will be a Respond member and they will be responding to your request. We only use your email address for replying to you. If you ask not to include your email address with your request, it will not appear anywhere on the website. David