As most all of us know. Japan just had a 8.9 Earthquake and large tsunami devastate their country. Not to mention the nuclear power disaster. My heart and prayers, and I am sure yours too, go out to all of those families in Japan undergoing this terrible turmoil right now. This sad event is all over the news 24hrs a day ever sense it happened.

How many of you have had JW family or friends say, “this Earth quake means armageddon is getting very close”? I had two relatives call me the morning of the disaster to point it out to me on the news. They didn’t say anything about armageddon because they know how I think, but still, they made their point. I at one time believed in the statements the Watchtower made regarding earthquakes in our time. But did they represent the facts truly or did they distort them? Do we have more earthquakes today than for the last 6000 or so years? What does the history show?

Regarding earthquakes the Bible says:

• Matthew 24:3-8 “While he was sitting upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” And in answer Jesus said to them … “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress.”

• Luke 21:11 uses the phrase “and there will be great earthquakes …”

So what are the facts regarding earthquakes? This subject has been reviewed on jwfacts.com and I believe they did a great job on presenting the facts unlike the Watchtower that constantly distorts them.

Here is a comment taken from jwfacts.com, “Watchtower information provided on earthquakes brings into question the honesty and integrity of its publications. It also draws into question that the Last Days began in 1914. In order to make Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that earthquakes prove 1914 was the start of the time of the end, the Watchtower Society has had to resort to presenting inaccurate figures, quoting back their own wrong figures and misquoting seismologists. This type of intellectual dishonesty is not unique to the Watchtower, but common with writers from apocalyptical movements. It is also very effective. After every large earthquake I receive emails from Jehovah’s Witnesses claiming I have been proven wrong and the end is about to occur.”

This is a huge subject with much information on it. To much for me to list in this post. If you would like to review this subject more I suggest you go to:

http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/earthquakes.php

So what do you think? Do you think earthquakes are on the rise representing Christ presence or do you think these quakes are normal earth activity?

I look forward to your comments on this subject,

Your brother,
Greybeard

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36 Comments on Earthquakes? Are they a sign of Jesus presence or the end?

  1. Matt says:

    I posted my opinion on this a few days ago. Check it out.

    http://ponderingchrist.blogspo.....world.html

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    • greybeard says:

      Hi Matt,

      Thank you for your post. I just read your post. I really like this statement you made, “If every earthquake was a harbinger of an impending apocalypse then I think I would go look for a different omen or live in perpetual disappointment.” That’s funny!

      However, I strongly believe you are miss applying Luke 13:1-5 to the Japanese. Do you honestly think as you said, “Suppose… these Japanese were sinners above all the Japanese”. that God destroyed them for being greater sinners?

      I haven’t been to Japan but I have been to China and Hong Kong. My opinion is they are way more moral than the USA. The USA is probably the most immoral country in the world. It ranks way up there at the top. But still we know that he who is not faithful in what is least is also not faithful in much.

      TMHO,
      Your brother,
      Greybeard

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  2. andrew says:

    Thanks for the post GB, very timely.
    I believe that Jesus said that earthquakes, wars etc. cannot be used to say the end must be close. They are only the beginning of the pangs of distress. It is interesting how The Message puts Matt. 24:4-8 “Jesus said, “Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, ‘I am Christ, the Messiah.’ They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming.”

    This is obviously a very liberal translation, but I think it captures what Jesus was trying to say, that earthquakes and wars would be commonplace from then until his return and not a sign of the imminent end.

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    • Dennis says:

      andrew:
      Thanks for the post GB, very timely.
      I believe that Jesus said that earthquakes, wars etc. cannot be used to say the end must be close. They are only the beginning of the pangs of distress. It is interesting how The Message puts Matt. 24:4-8“Jesus said, “Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, ‘I am Christ, the Messiah.’ They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming.”

      This is obviously a very liberal translation, but I think it captures what Jesus was trying to say, that earthquakes and wars would be commonplace from then until his return and not a sign of the imminent end.

      I’m in full agreement Andrew!

      Dennis

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  3. greybeard says:

    Thanks Andrew,

    That translation is awesome! It gave me a different prospective on that scripture. That cleared things up for me. JW’s truly are “doomsday deceivers”! What a great way to put it! Thanks again!

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  4. bruceguth says:

    Matthew 24:4 quotes Jesus as saying “Look out that nobody misleads you…”, and on…
    Then in vs 6, “You are going to hear of wars and reports of catastrophies (not wars and reports of wars)”…

    Soooo many things we could share!

    Here is a link that will be helpful for you. Mark Miller’s site. I have copied the right page of his bible commentary. You ought to get to know him, in my opinion. Just tell him Dan sent you.

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      • andrew says:

        There are lots of spiritual gems on that site, as well as a very gripping autobiography.

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        • bruceguth says:

          Andrew, as I have said, Mark is a dear personal friend of mine. He asked me to get involved in editing “Messianic Confessions”, his autobiography that you mention. It’s a must read. I am approaching my home church in a similar fashion as he has. Known him since early 1996. But the thing that’s best here is that we both have a much improved relationship with Jehovah since we left the WTS. Still, the call to leave Babylon hasn’t transpired. With your tough-decision situations, each of you, weigh things carefully first. If I hadn’t got away so quickly, I may have helped my own flesh and blood out some. -Speaking from experience. Instead, I’ve been killed and they consider it a service to God. I am JW-like in many ways, no part of the world, careful about associations and soforth. I see I have some fine association here.

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  5. serein says:

    i havnt been on that site u quoted jw one but i beleive that the end is close bye,not cos of the jws saying it but cos i beleive it to be so, or maybe its cos im hoping it to be so,anyways e,qs and wars and famin and what ever has always been in one land or another through time, but its when we are hearing of it more and more and when we are hearing more of wars and uprisings and earth quakes and what ever alot moe and closer together even all at the sdame time all over the world, which i beleive is happening right now its the early stages but i think its happening now,i think weve had our peacfull time since world war 1 and 2 and now we are hiting the end of the pangs of distress and geting ready to finish them and give birth to a new world order of things,i dont think its gona take forever either i think its gona maybe happen by 2015 i duno why its just a number but its cos iv just got this feeling its the begining of the end,my eldest son said to me theres always been wars and uprisings in the arab world and i said yes i know but not in every country almost and at bthe same time, maybe im wrong,but also we never realy used to hewr about them like we do now, we have face book the news live we have computers, we dont miss nothing,but as it says we are going to hear reports of wars but the end isnt yet i think that ment world war 1 and 2 thats the beginings of pangs for the ones living then, but we wernt all living then so maybe its now for the ones whod be in the time of the end, that the propesy is for and so its for our time for us to hear the reports and not back then, or even back further when theres always been wars and what not befor, we alkl alover the world right now hear of everything thats happening all the time, so its us is now its our time, so i duno maybe its our beginings of pangs of distres, i know im having them iv had enough i want it now, thats how u feel when ur having a baby u can cope with it at first then as the end draws near u just cant cope anymore, im at that stage,

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    • bruceguth says:

      Luke 12:32.

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    • bruceguth says:

      Remember now, Serein, every word of Luke 21:28. You have many, many with you…

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    • greybeard says:

      Hi Serein,

      As you know, nobody knows the day or hour and that means the year too. JW’s thought they could calculate the year and they have missed it every time proving they have not idea what they are doing. It is possible that the end could come today or tomorrow. We should be ready for it whenever it comes. The longer God waits the more loving he is, allowing more to come into a relationship with him.

      Sure things look real bad now but the truth is they have before and this could go on for a long time. nobody knows. Who can say? What makes me think maybe we are close is the fact the Jews have reoccupied their home land and everyone over there wants to war with them and drive them off of it.

      What do we really know? We really know nothing. We think we know but we don’t. It has been 2000 years sense Christ and through out all of those years they thought the end was near. Like I said, might come tomorrow but I wouldn’t count on it. I for one think we better plan for the long hall. Growing old in this system unlike what we were told by the FALSE PROPHET JEHOVAH WITNESS ORGANIZATION!!!

      You brother,
      Greybeard

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  6. Rorshach says:

    Bruce, Ive been attempting to contact mark heber miller, and also fin out about the nazerene fellowship he has i havent recieved a reply though, thought perhaps he had passed away whats his email now?

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  7. serein says:

    its all true what u say we no not the date. i wish it was now, at the moment im so unbeleivably missrable,iv never felt so low as i do now, i just want it to come now,the world is such a mess,
    my daughter was asking me why iv stopd going to kingdom hall realy, she thinks its just cos im against not having blood cos i had it, but its alot of things,also i started to read luke the scriptures u pointed out and then ended reading all of it then some,and i realise u know what i stil no absalutly nothing realy u guys are so more knolagable than me,do u realy beleive that it dont matter if we belong to a group like jws or who ever else to be saved,dosnt anyone agree with me that it is our generation thats gona see the end of all this and not the generation from 1914,im starting to see things a bit more clearer i think,some wits are going round to see my son tomos they invited themselfs wile he wasnt in, which my daugter wasnt to pleased about as they never asked if it was ok to come just said they were coming,the ones going thoe i realy loved and i miss them, i just wish they did have the truth cos i cant even talk to them or even get through to them, they prob thinking same about me, so trying it on with my kids instead at there home.im a mixed up missy, need some scriptual help. i want the whys of me leaving to look sound to my kids or the jws are going to walk all over my words and my kids are going to walk away from me one day.

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    • greybeard says:

      Hi Serein,

      I have suffered from depression too. I try to take life one day at a time. What do I have to do to get through this day? This thinking is applied at AA and many rehab for alcohol/drugs and depression centers around the world. They got this from Jesus Christ words at Matthew 6:34, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

      So then, what do I have today to worry about? I’m not going to see my children today. I don’t need to worry about what they think today. I don’t have to pay the rent today, not worried about that. I could go on and on. What I try to do is think positive. Look at what happened to Japan. 700,000 are homeless. I’m not homeless and I haven’t lost any friends or family like they have. I’ve got it great compared to them.

      Depression is complicated and I am no expert. However I was recommended a book called, “Depression Free Naturally” by Joan Mathews. I read another book she wrote. I believe in her advice. She says our diet, sugar, carbs, refined foods… all have much to do with our depression.

      Anyway, try to take it easy on the worrying and only focus on what you need to do to get through today. Be happy for what you have and try to improve your health by going for a walk or eating write. Those are simple things that help me.

      Also think about how great it will be when God’s Kingdom finally rules. We might be close. The way I look at it is I’m 50 years old so I think I will die around 80. that gives me 30 years and for sure then I will see it through the resurrection. Keep your eyes on the prize. Love God with your whole heart and he wont let you down. Remember love never fails.

      Take care of yourself,
      Your brother,
      With love,
      Greybeard

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      • Amos says:

        Hi Serein,

        Bro. Greybeard has given you some of the best advice possible. We are all thinking of you, & truely care for you as our Sister.

        You are not alone, for I too suffer from extreme depression at times (been on medication for many years), & have been going through a very bad time of it now for a few weeks, that’s why I’ve not been posting very much of late, so I, like Greybeard understand to some extent how you are feeling.

        I’ve been so bad this week, that I’ve thought of giving up altogether….but that’s not going to happen. I know that wods can sometimes seem hollow, but always remember the Psalmist’s words at Ps. 55:22; “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

        These words have literally sustained me during some extremely low times in my life, & are never far from my thoughts. I quote them often & for good reason, they are the words of truth, & inspired by OUR HEAVENLY FATHER HIMSELF!

        Take courage our dear Sister, & lean on our Father at all times, knowing that you are very dear to HIM, & are loved by your fellow brothers & sisters in the Lord.

        With genuine Christian Love,
        Amos

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    • bruceguth says:

      I’ll pray for you with your current problems in mind Serein. I had to go through similar things with my own children and former wife. My whole life took a different step at one time. Always draw close to Jehovah in such times. He is the Hearer of prayer. Personally, I agree that these are exciting times. Jesus said that we would have to endure things similar to the things he underwent, and in fact in some ways more. …Hard to understand. 2 Cor. 1:3-7

      It is just the same, a good thing that you can enjoy a friend or a family member nearby, even when discouraged. We don’t trust in men anyway, right? I would like to know more about you, since I am new here. I see your posts and enjoy your insights. If you would like to send me a mssg, feel free.

      “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit…”
      Ga 6:18 Selah!

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  8. Anonymous says:

    thanks everyone for understanding and ur kind words,i do try to take things one day at a time but everywere i go or everytime i turn the tv on i see violence hatred nasty people and i just want the end to come soon, i dont care if im not there i just want it to come, we live in a wonderful world and its messed up with horrid people horid things happening over and over again over many many years and still it dont end and now im at the stage of i wish i hadnt lived at all,my whole life iv hated this world and the way it is the way people are i feel so antisocial and i dont want to be but iv always been like this and iv always felt diff and wanted to be around people the same ,im so glad u guys understand,im no way perfect and i always open my mouth up and things come out the wrong way and thats my main prob.but i do find myself getting very low alot more latly and i used to be like this when i was young,i am greatful to be alive but not so much as i feel soo sad for all who have died in japan and feel for all there my prob is i have to much empathy and i begine to feel the emotions of others to much and it overwelms me with deep sadness for everyone and it hurts i just need to throw my tv out not read a news paper and maybe il get over it i duno.

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    • greybeard says:

      I have a friend who doesn’t have a TV for that very reason. Maybe you should try not watching the news or taking in bad news for a while. That is how he does it. He is not a JW or Christian but I know he is a happy man. He does a lot of fun activities and he is a real upbeat positive guy. For me, sometimes i need to take a brake from the news or anything that is not relaxing in nature. Right now i am going of coffee again because i am feeling the stress caffeine gives me. I also have stopped drinking soda’s with all that sugar and going light on carbs. I have done this before and it worked for me.

      Take care,
      your brother,
      Greybeard

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  9. serein says:

    u know what im a coffee holic maybe i should stay clear altogether iv been cuting doen omn it already started to drink hotwater with lemons and limes in it is making me feel better, coffee is no good for ur nerves but im deff a coffee addict.

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    • greybeard says:

      Serein,

      Do some online research on caffeine/coffee to see how it affects us. When going off caffeine you need to ween yourself. Just take a little less each day for a week. Don’t stop all at once or you may get a massive head ache. I’m going off refined foods, sugar, white flower… and lowering carbs. I have been told this helps with nerves and depression.

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  10. serein says:

    i know i did i detox once and i got such a banging head ach for days, nd every time i stop drinking coffee and tea i get headach but as soon as i get a drink it goes.

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  11. serein says:

    iv been told to do that what ur doin its suposed to help u lose weight to i was told never to eat breads pastrys red meats coffee tea and to drink hot water and fresh lemons and limes and a great fruit every morning, the lemon and limes suposed to clean ur liver:) i drink it more than coffee now,i just put boiling water in a mug then slice lemons and limes into it, im geting so used to it now im starting miss it if i dont have one instead of missing coffee

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  12. serein says:

    goin off subject compleatly now but its sorta gearing towards it as in the earth quakes and end iminets so heres what iv just read nd im now scared i just read that theres a planet hurtling towards us that only comes around like every 4000 odd year or sumat and its called nibiru and that all the govs and nassa nd that know about it and not telling us and we are having all these earh qs and other bad weather cos of it?and that its going to get alot worse and alot are goin to die and that u can see it from austrailier as a second sun if u look in to the skys with infra red or what ever any how its prob all poo but some one was mensioning scriptures and sayin its all there and its gona happen, im thinking as i read it what aload of crap but then im thinking what do i know, iv beleived alot of crap in my life time,but anyways some one put me straight on this one as im wondering about it and its all news to me, anyone else heard about this new planet that is only around every so often and that aparently its what caused the flood also, aswell as many more theoriys av read? yes i know its a daft thing to ask but hey it would mean the end of the world for real and the heavens being shaken and sighns in heaven what ever u know ns anyways even if itd all bs some have said its still a real planet or sumat else and that its goin to pass us in 2012 and casuse a pole shift others say sumat else whats it alll about anyomne know?

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  13. Marquez says:

    Funny thing about that expression “pangs of distress” meaning an eminent event about to happen. Or is it that nobody on this board has known anyone that has had a baby. When the pangs of distress greet the mother it is then time to rush her to the hospital and prepare for the eminent event; birth.

    To conclude that Jesus did not specifically list this as one of the warning signs belies the intent of our Savior to answer the question, at (Matthew 24:3) . . .“Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of this world?” Do not be mislead…

    1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 . . .Now as for the times and the seasons, brothers, YOU need nothing to be written to YOU. 2 For YOU yourselves know quite well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. 3 Whenever it is that they are saying: “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape. 4 But YOU, brothers, YOU are not in darkness, so that that day should overtake YOU as it would thieves, 5 for YOU are all sons of light and sons of day. We belong neither to night nor to darkness.

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  14. Stirling Smith says:

    I have done some personal study on this very topic and wrote a few pages on it. Maybe some will find it useful. Comments are appreciated. http://www.scribd.com/doc/4851.....s-Parousia

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  15. Bob says:

    I’m fairly new to your website and I came across this article. So I thought I’d share. The Greek word for earthquakes is seismos, this means “shakings”. It is used in Mat 8:24 in reference to the agitated sea. So it means more than just earthquakes, but also any natural disaster such as hurricanes, tornadoes, etc… http://www.2001translation.com.....m#_Seismos this website, 2001 translation, goes into much more detail. But it is interesting, was Jesus prophesying climate change?

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  16. v says:

    Hullo Bob.
    Glad your here.
    Are you from down under? Reason being the name Bob is used widely here.
    That was so interesting what you wrote. “Aramaic version as well. Matt 8 was so good. Looks like this could be the case regarding climate change. “Seismos.

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  17. DanielB says:

    This is a good observation Brother Bob , over “disturbance / agitation” as found in Matthew . One must also consider that at sea there may have in fact been an earthquake that caused the waters to be agitated . Either way , “disturbance” is what it was , or agitation .

    It’s nice to have you blow in here from the windy city !

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  18. DanielB says:

    Greybeard had asked this question on this subject ,

    ” So what do you think? Do you think earthquakes are on the rise representing Christ’s presence or do you think these quakes are normal earth activity? ”

    What I think Brother Greybeard , is that these “agitations” that were foretold are happening quicker , ” in one place after another ” , all around the globe , than they had happened previously , the physical earth may have been in more agitation since the “last days” began in our early common era . Also , the agitations of the “earth” in a figurative sense have been increased since the “last days” of human domination began in the 1st century . Whether or not we see more increasing physical earthquakes in the near future or not will need to be waited on to see . However the agigitations that the world is experiencing right now in afigurative sense are in one place after another daily .

    And if this is what was meant when he spoke of “Agitations” I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes soon , (when the 3 1/2 years are completed) .

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  19. Reader says:

    On the “Olivet” discourse

    Read the three noting where Jesus is;

    Luke 21 = Mark 13 v 1,2 = Matthew 24 v 1,2 fulfilled AD 70

    Luke 21 is not given on the mount of Olives

    Then Matthew 24 v 15 is end times and not necessarily of the Literal Temple but more probably the new Christian Temple.

    Clue in the Stones; [check in order]
    Psalm 118 v 22

    Isaiah 28 v 16

    Acts 4 v 11; 17 v 24

    1 Corinthians 3 v 16,17

    1 Peter 2 v 6,7

    Matthew 21 v 42,43

    Ephesians 2 v 19-22

    Revelation 1 v 12; 3 v 12;

    Compare Matthew 24 v 16-22 with Revelation 18 v 4-8*

    *For Babylon(ish); I refer all to the work of: Alexander Hislop, The Two Babylons ISBN 0 7136 0470 0 as the basic seminal work.

    Revelation 1,2 & 3 the whole Christian group [wheat & weeds], is therefore potentially in the Holy Place of Matthew 24 v 15 & 16. This Holy Place started with Jesus [John 14 v 2] continuing though desolations, apostasies and [so far almost all of 1335] until [1Corinthians 15 v 50-52], so there is still some[?] rejected rubble to be added/finished. -Among us.

    http://yahweh-immanuel.info/user%20site%20map.html

    B

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