Living with danger ∙
Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world? – Matthew 24:3
Ezekiel 33:4-7
4 If those who hear the warning refuse to take action, it is their own fault if they die.
5 They heard the warning but ignored it, so the responsibility is theirs. If they had listened to the warning, they could have saved their lives.
6 But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.
7 Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me.
Stromboli, an island off the coast of Sicily, is home to a small full-time population of around 500 residents. What sets this island apart is its active volcano, Mount Stromboli, which continuously rumbles and exhibits near-continuous summit explosions. By day, smoke billows from its peak, while at night, diamantine specks glisten in the darkness, occasionally accompanied by soaring lava that illuminates the sky and the land. This remarkable natural phenomenon has earned Mount Stromboli the nickname “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.” The superheated lava flows harmlessly into the sea through a slope known as Sciara del Fouco, or the Stream of Fire.
Despite the constant rumblings and activity of the volcano, the local population has adapted to its presence, likening it to living near railroad tracks or an airport, albeit with significantly more inherent danger. However, amidst occasional moments of trepidation, it is described as a remarkably serene place to reside. Photographer and videographer Gaia Squarci noted that the island provides “a calm, with a tension underneath.”
Volcanologists view Mount Stromboli as a “living” natural laboratory, utilizing it to observe and document precursory signs of impending eruptions. They aim to accurately predict and forecast destructive eruptions, providing crucial warnings to those in harm’s way. The volcano has various detection instruments to identify significant changes that may indicate upcoming events, as volcanoes typically undergo inflation before erupting. In 2019, an early warning system was created to mitigate risks. But there is still a high degree of unpredictability.
Many well-grounded in biblical teaching are keenly aware of end time prophecies. A catastrophic destruction of planet Earth has been foretold. They are watching for signs indicating the approach of these coming events. This was a major concern for the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. They knew He was the Messiah, the King of Israel. Eager to understand, when He entered Jerusalem for the last time before His looming Crucifixion, they asked Him when the Kingdom would begin and what the sign of His return and the end of the age would be.
They asked Him, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3) They wanted to know and understand the timeline and signs of the end times, a quest that continues among many children of the King today.
REFLECT & PRAY
We would be prudent to learn from the Stromboli volcano volcanologists, be mindful of the predictions, and take effective measures when required.
Father You know the end from the beginning. You have provided prophecies of the future, which is already history to You. May we be faithful watchers who heed the signs and provide warnings.
INSIGHT
A vigilant observer must take action based on their observations. It is incumbent upon individuals to recognize warnings and respond accordingly. Our society is filled with observers: meteorologists who predict weather patterns, astrophysicists studying the cosmos, economists analyzing financial trends, public health officials monitoring disease outbreaks, and political analysts assessing public opinion.
How do the Father’s watchers become aware? It’s a blend of due diligence, dedicated research, and open-mindedness. The word of God contains prophetic warnings of the end times. Their hearts’ eyes should be open and enlightened to discern the Father at work. They should be responsive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and prompting. They must be sensitive and hear the Father’s voice.
Jesus Christ made both broad and specific predictions. It was as if He had set out biblically grounded detection tools to monitor last day trends. This was especially true for those serving as watchers.
Broad Predictions – The first half of the 70th week of Daniel
Matthew 24:4-12
4 Jesus told them, Don’t let anyone mislead you,
5 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many.
6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.
7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.
8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.
9 Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers.
10 Many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.
11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.
12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.
Specific Predictions – The second half of the 70th week of Daniel
Matthew 24:14-30
14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world so that all nations will hear it, and then the end will come.
15 “The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about – the abomination of desolation [the Antichrist] that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.”
27 For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.
30 And then, at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the Earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
When does He come? “Despite many attempts over the centuries to pinpoint the time of Jesus’ return, God’s Word stands: He will come at ‘an hour you do not expect.’ We are to remain in a perpetual state of readiness” (Stanley).
Matthew 24:44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
Ezekiel 33:6-7
6 If the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.
7 Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me.
In the Old Testament, the prophets were the Father’s servants and appointed watchers. They were responsible for seeing, hearing, and sounding the alarm.
Each child of the King has a similar responsibility. We are the children of the light. We are not to be fooled by the darkness and deception of our fallen world.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
1 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you.
2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.
3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.
5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.
6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.
9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.
10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.
11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
We are to keep watching and praying as the time draws ever closer for the triumphal Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 11-23-1
© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 