The Cloud Return

Music: Leighton Kennedy – Tenor Saxophone “We Shall Behold Him” composed by Dottie Rambo

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Updated 8/25/2024

This work is dedicated to Dr. Cain Hope Felder and Mr. James Ealey who grounded us in knowledge and applications of Scripture.

The return of Jesus is described in His own words in the Gospel of Matthew (Barker, 1985).
Jesus said: “For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matt. 24:27).

It is clear from Jesus’ description in this and other Synoptic Gospel accounts (see also Mark 13:26; Luke 17:24), that His return will be visible and widely seen.

“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:30).

This image is also represented in Daniel’s Old Testament prophetic visions. “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven” (Dan. 7:13).

John writes in his New Testament prophecy “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him” (Rev. 1:7). Jesus when questioned by the high priest in the trial process acknowledged his Messiahship and went on to say: “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62).

In Aramaic language spoken by Jesus, these words translate literally (Bauscher, 2008; Pruitt, 2021; The Holy Aramaic Scriptures, 2018). These cloud passages express the literal circumstances of Christ’s second coming. But how will “every eye…see him”? This first century description could be actualized by 21st century technology – the cloud.

In the computing world, the term cloud is a metaphor for the invisible, behind-the-scene connections that enable internet access and usage among consumers – from individuals to large companies (Frankenfield, 2019; HMS Networks, 2020; Krishna, 2020; Microsoft, 2019; Ranger, 2018). Cloud technology is expanding exponentially across the business, commercial, and public access world (Babcock, 2017; Pettey & Goasduff, 2017; Salesfore, 2017). From government agencies such as the Department of Defense (El-Attrash, 2017), to business and e-commerce (Columbus, 2020), to individuals (Forrester Consulting, 2012; John, 2017), to internet providers (Zscaler, 2018); cloud technology makes worldwide connectivity across devices more accessible. Our technology-enabled information age has led to rapidly increasing access as well as advancements (Expert Panel, Forbes Technology Council, 2020). Distribution of cloud-based services is instant, global, and on the rise.

The prophesied cloud return of Jesus can be enabled by the cloud technology of today. How else could every eye see Him? The metaphorical representation of the cloud in technology is analogous to the metaphorical language of the Bible. The cloud may well actualize Bible prophecy. Biblical descriptions of end-times occurrences are apparently represented in 1^st century visions of 21^st century technology.

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14).

Our technology-enabled information age helps to ensure the far-reaching spread of the gospel throughout the world. Global internet usage has tremendously increased (International Telecommunications Union [ITU], 2019; Miniwatts Marketing Group, 2019; Roser et al., 2020). Growth of world-wide internet usage is promoted by both advancing technology and the use of social media. According to Pew Research Center data, internet and social media access has significantly increased within developing countries as well (Silver, 2019). Nearly 90% of the world population has internet access (Pensworth, 2020). Despite the massive growth in internet usage, there are cultural, skill set, financial and access barriers (ITU, 2020).

Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills that facilitate internet use are lacking in more remote areas. There are also gender differences, with higher usage for males compared to females in developing countries. World-wide and more equitable access is being promoted through such organizations as the ITU, an arm of the United Nations. The banking industry is also among businesses seeking to provide more equitable access for underserved populations (Schou-Zibell, 2019).

Christian ministries and evangelism have presence throughout the world today and have advanced significantly through televangelism and the web (Sherwood, 2018; Smith, 2018).

We will return to cloud services across digital platforms and exponential impacts related to Scriptural prophecies later in this discussion.

Do the Math: Evidence for Belief

We know of no more convincing evidence of the inerrancy of the Bible than prophesies fulfilled. For example, all the Old Testament prophesies of the birth, life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus were written hundreds of years before these New Testament events occurred (Bible Study Tools Staff, 2015; Fairchild, 2018; Konig, 2005; Warner Wallace, 2018).

What are the odds?

Probability science enables the prediction likelihood for an event (Farkas, 2017; Radke, 2017). The random likelihood of any event occurring is 50:50. The more than 300 Old Testament prophesies fulfilled about Jesus alone certainly defy coin toss laws of probability (Watson, 2011). Many other bible-based foretold events have been validated by secular historian accounts (Williams, 1999). Probability law is rooted in natural theology and sheds statistical light on the evidence of a supreme being (Bartholomew, 1988; Ward, 1988). Secular historian accounts, scientists, and archaeologists validate biblical history, settings, and prophecies (Bell, 2018; Felder & Smith, 1999; Leap, 2005).

The Eternal one set in motion the Devine plan for humankind as well as the universe. How else can prophecies be fulfilled with such precision across the ages. The Old Testament prophet Zechariah indicates wickedness will be destroyed in keeping with God’s plan (Zech. 5: 7-8). Zechariah’s Old Testament scripture was written in 519 BC. This scripture is cross referenced in the New Testament writings of the apostle Paul (2 Thess. 2: 6-8) written in 51AD, more than 5 centuries later. These and other scriptures are foretelling of what is to come.

End Time Prophecies

In pondering latter-day signs we often hear in dismissive ways, “wars, earthquakes, diseases, and famines are ages old and nothing new.” End time events occur within the broader context of “birth pains” suffering (Matt. 24:8), denoting painful stages increasing in intensity and frequency until the critical event. Therefore, it is not the occurrences alone, but rather the closeness in time and intensification of these events that signal the end of the age and Christ’s return.

Intra-Family Violence

When asked by His disciples, Jesus expounded upon Signs of the End of the Age in what became known as the Olivet discourse.

“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death” (Mark 13:12).

Intra-family violence and killing, including parricide (killing of parents by children) incidence trends have increased over modern times according to worldwide data (Bows, 2018; Heide & Petee, 2007). World Health Organization (WHO) data indicate, over 40% of children and youth around the globe are casualties of homicide with mostly male victims and perpetrators (WHO, 2016). Family violence and trauma associated with neglect and abuse are among risk factors, most often attributable to malignant family dynamics (Guy, 2018; Heide, 2012).

Intra-familial violence is increasing in the wake of Corona virus-related home confinement (Campbell, 2020; Carpentier, 2020; George, 2020; Godin, 2020). Unfortunately, advanced technologies and social platforms have increased our exposure to horrific events. One such intra-familial example is the brutal murder of a 72-year-old father by his 32-year-old son during a live Zoom video session (Stevens, 2020).

The FBI has issued warnings about video-teleconferencing (VTC) platforms such as Zoom “being disrupted by pornographic and/or hate images and threatening language” (Setera, 2020, para. 1). Child sexual abuse is among criminal online videos (Henney, 2020). In addition to physical abuse, child sexual exploitation across social media has also increased exponentially (Brewster, 2020). And tragically related to the confinement and closures of schools, a major setting for the detection and reporting of child abuse, children’s much-needed support and protections are not available (Morse, 2020). Pandemic-related stressors, including social isolation, school closures, and loss of jobs, have increased domestic violence around the world (United Nations, 2020c).

Officials are warning about more invasions, violence, and security threats through Zoombombing (Margolin, 2020) and other potential sources of “online sexual exploitation” (United Nations, 2020a, para. 1). Mental as well as physical health are more and more at stake (Abramson, 2020). Efforts are underway to address these areas of evolving crises around the world.

Violence

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) data, violent crimes such as murder have decreased worldwide (UNODC, 2019). However, incidence trends have consistently varied among countries. For example, homicide rates declined across Western Europe between 1300 and 2016 (Roser & Ritchie, 2019). By contrast, murder death rates per 100,000 are consistently greatest in Latin American countries and crimes of violence are consistently highest in the Americas (Statista Research Department, 2020). Disparities in reporting mechanisms around the world, e.g., public health versus law enforcement/prosecution data, contribute to underreporting of incidence trends.

Overall, worldwide decline in homicide rates is in tandem with aging across populations (Santos et al., 2019). With the global increase in aging populations, rates decrease. However, international homicide data consistently indicate such crimes are primarily committed by youth (World Population Review, 2022). Homicides are among the top ten causes of death among young adults. More than half of homicides involve firearms, and the United States ranks among the highest for gun-related deaths.

Among affluent countries, the United States has the highest incidence of murders committed by children (Hemenway & Solnick, 2017). Deadly mass shootings have dramatically increased over recent years, including in schools, public places, and work environments (Berkowitz et al., 2019). The highest number of mass shootings in the U.S. occurred in 2018 and 2022 (Statista Research Department, 2023). Comparative data reflect increasing incidence trends since 1982.

According to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) data, hate crimes in 2017 increased approximately 17% over the previous year (FBI, 2018). FBI data also indicate that in 2018, violent hate crimes were at their highest in 16 years (Hassan, 2019; Meyer, 2020). However, these figures underrepresent actual occurrences since not all law enforcement agencies report such crimes. Again, variations in reporting mechanisms exist that may underestimate occurrence data. The leading categories of hate crimes in descending order are race, religion, sexual orientation and disability. According to the FBI report also, fatal violence against transgender individuals continues to increase significantly.

In the wake of yet another killing of a Black person, George Floyd, by police and caught on videotape, there has been a tremendous outpouring of protests and demonstrations, both domestic and world-wide (Newburger, 2020). The politicizing of human rights is of escalating concern.

Hate crimes against Asians in the United States escalated following the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Politicizing of its origins in China and such derogatory references as ‘China virus,’ even at the highest level, has led to increased violence against Asian Americans (Hswen et al., 2021; Xinhua, 2021; Yam, 2020). According to data from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino (2021), anti-Asian hate crimes increased 189%, mostly in large U.S. cities, during the first quarter of 2021 compared with that same time period in 2020.

A violent insurrection on the United States Capital occurred on January 6, 2021, leading to 5 deaths (Healy, 2021). The rioters were extremist groups seeking to overturn the 2020 presidential election in which former president, Donald Trump was defeated in his bid for re-election. They were attempting to halt official certification of election results in halls of Congress. The rioters breached security at the Capital, threatened members of Congress, caused injuries, ransacked offices, and stole items. Following this tragic event, 4 responding officers committed suicide (Fitzsimons et al., 2021). The rioters also threatened to take the life of the vice president, allegedly because he refused to not certify the 2020 election results (Gardner & Alemany, 2022). The certification process culminates with the vice president certifying the results before both houses of Congress based upon electoral college results. The pro-Trump rioters were seeking to interrupt this constitutional process. The vice president refused to leave the Capitol, even though his life was threatened by the angry mob. Vice president Pence was able to certify the election results hours later after the rioting had been subdued.

The congressional committee investigating the Capitol rioting uncovered evidence of plotting to overthrow certified election results, even among high-level officials. Over 978 individuals have been arrested and charged so far (Johnson, 2023). Donald Trump is undergoing prosecutions for allegedly inciting the January 6 rioting at the Capital and other offenses. Nonetheless, despite the evidence and prosecutions, he continues to have supportive followers. Trump has been characterized as “narcissistic” by a professional psychologist family member (Trump, 2020), mental health professionals (Lee, 2019), and others. The level of god-like king worshipping is reminiscent of the historical Herod (Acts 12:21-23) who has also been characterized as narcissistic (Anderson, 2017).

Hate crimes are occurring in rapid succession in the United States including the mass shooting of shoppers at a Tops grocery store in Buffalo, New York on May 14, 2022 killing 10, mostly Black elderly citizens (Ahmed, 2022). The 18-year-old gunman had posted a racist manifesto online and filmed his attack. The next day, on May 15, 2022, a mass shooting occurred at a Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, California (Colton, 2022). One person was killed and five were injured. On May 24 nineteen Robb Elementary students and two teachers were killed by an 18-year-old gunman in Uvalde, Texas (Ainsley, 2022). On July 4, 2022, a lone gunman opened fire from a rooftop into a crowd gathered for a parade in Highland Park, Illinois (Chicago Tribune Staff, 2022). Seven people were killed, and dozens of others were injured. The 21-year-old suspect had purchased firearms, including high-powered rifles, despite records indicating authorities had been called to his home because he threatened suicide and violence in recent years (Shapiro & Pereira, 2022). The gunman confessed to the Highland Park shootings after his arrest and revealed he had considered a second attack.

The leading cause of death among children and adolescents in the United States is now firearms, surpassing the previous, long-standing cause, car accidents (Wamsley, 2022). As previously mentioned, the U.S. has the highest rate of firearm deaths compared to other countries. According to FBI data, active shooter incidents rose 52.5% from 2020 to 2021 and rose 96.8% from 2017 to 2021 (FBI, 2022). The number of incidents within this period follow.

2017: 31

2018: 30

2019: 30

2020: 40

2021: 61

Clearly, the trend in hate crimes is escalating in the U.S. “Birth pains” (Matt. 24:8) are again represented in these accelerating figures. Paul’s teachings included the importance of humility as exemplified by Christ.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! (Phil. 2:3-8)

This humility example of Christ is even more striking considering the social context of His time that relegated crucifixion to the worst criminals, slaves, and perceived threats to the Roman regime (Dowd & Malbon, 2006; Rossano, 2011). Hmmm… sound familiar – political and religious corruption in the interests of protecting and promoting regimes, self-interests, and power structures?

Wars

Christ’s “birth pains” descriptions for Signs of the End of the Age also include wars and uprisings. “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matt. 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:10).

Nation refers to a geographical area of a people (Gen. 12:2; 18:18) and kingdom refers to monarchical rulership (Deut. 17:18; Matt. 12:25; 2 Chron. 15:6; Isa. 19:2). Therefore, there will be fighting among and within geographical areas of people. Note the following related to the “birth pains” conceptualization of these events.

1337 – 1453 Hundred Years’ War
Pequot War (1634 – 1638)
1642 – 1651 English Civil War
1754 – 1763 French & Indian War/Seven Years’ War (first spread of global war)
1775 – 1783 American Revolution
1789 – 1815 French Revolution
1812 – 1815 War of 1812
1846 – 1848 Mexican-American War
1861 – 1865 American Civil War
1898 Spanish American War
1914 – 1918 World War I
1939 – 1945 World War II
1950 – 1953 Korean War
1965 – 1974 Vietnam War
1990 – 1991 Gulf War
2003 Iraq War (Hickman, 2020)
1999 – 2021 US War in Afghanistan

As can be seen, there was a proliferation of multi-national wars during the 20^th century. There was only a generation between World War I (WWI) and World War II (WWII). The deaths, both civilian and military, and extent of multi-national involvement make WWII considerably more devastating than WWI (Emelda, 2018; Ruane, 2020). During WWII Axis powers (Germany, Italy and Japan) opposed Allied countries (U.S., England, France, Soviet Union, China). Under Adolph Hitler’s Nazi regime, territorial expansion of Germany was being sought. Holocaust atrocities perpetrated by Nazi Germany against Jews, disabled individuals, Afro-Germans, and Poles were intended to exterminate groups and races considered inferior to ensure worldwide dominance of the Aryan race (History.Com Editors, 2023; United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 2019; Zane, 2019). Adolph Hitler’s Aryan supremacy ideal was influenced by writings and observations of prominent Americans such as Henry Ford (Hart, 2018). Ford and Hitler shared fascist ideals. Individuals and factions idealizing Hitler’s white supremacy and perceived threats to racial purity continue to exist. Fascism is on the rise in America and around the world (Bello, 2024; Dixon, 2023; Kahnert, 2023; Pearl, 2022).

The United States’ longest war was in Afghanistan with military presence there for over twenty years, spanning three presidents (Council on Foreign Relations, 2021; Kermani, 2021). Stability has been difficult to achieve between opposing Afghan, Taliban, and ISIS-K forces. Thousands were hurriedly evacuated by air, both military and civilian, to meet current President Biden’s order of complete withdrawal by August 31, 2021. This mission was extremely dangerous and suicide bombers killed thirteen U.S. service members and sixty Afghans at Kabul airport evacuation checkpoints. ISIS-K claimed responsibility.

Since Israel was established as a state in 1948, there has been an escalation of Arab-Israeli wars and conflicts (Britannica Editors, 2024; Lotha, 2019).

Suez Crisis 1956
Six-Day War June 5 – June 10, 1967
Yom Kippur War October 6 – November 1973
Lebanon War 1982
Second Lebanon War 2006
Israel-Hamas War 2023 – present

There have also been internal uprisings within autocratic regimes, such as the so-called Arab Spring.

2010 December Tunisia
2011 January Egypt
2011 February Libya
2011 February Yemen
2011 February Bahrain
2011 February Syria
2011 March Ivory Coast

The Arab Spring and other proliferations of wars are multifactorial including climate change impacts such as increased global food shortages (Fetzek & Mazo, 2014; Johnston & Mazo, 2011). Tensions are escalating between Israelis and Palestinians concerning increasing expansion of Israeli territory to areas occupied by Palestinians (Eglash, 2020; Robinson, 2022). Another conflict erupted over Jerusalem between Israelis and Palestinians (Kingsley, 2021). See this 6-minute video about the history of territorial conflicts there (7 News Australia, 2021). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUBQ6WNBRS4

Israeli-Palestinian conflicts are escalating with increasing, even civilian deaths (Debre, 2023). The Israeli army attacked the Palestinian refugee camp in Jenin where militants were alleged to be planning and operating attacks against Israel (Williams, 2023). The crowded Jenin refugee camp is within the West Bank which is occupied by Israelis. The so-called “two state solution” is crumbling as the death toll on both sides continues to rise (United Nations, 2023). On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian militant group Humas launched a coordinated attack on Israel by land, sea, and air (Hjelmgaard et al., 2023). Israeli prime minister, Netanyahu declared war. The attack occurred on the 50th anniversary of the Yon Kippur war. Over 30,000 people have been killed thus far, mostly civilians, women, and children (Bennett, 2024).

If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened (Matt. 24:22).

Over recent years in the U.S., destructive forces fueled by hatred have contributed to a dramatic increase in both domestic and foreign attacks. For example, on September 11, 2001 al-Qaeda suicide terrorists hijacked and crashed planes into the World Trade Centers in New York, the Pentagon near Washington, DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania (History.com Editors, 2019b). Nearly 3,000 people were killed. According to the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), “Right-wing attacks and plots account for the majority of all terrorist incidents in the United States since 1994, and the total number of right-wing attacks and plots has grown significantly during the past six years” (Jones et al., 2020, para. 3). Electronic media are experiencing a deluge of terrorism threats and inciteful activities designed to foment hatred and violence. Political tensions in the U.S. increase the potential for extremist violence. The January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capital is an example (Khavin et al., 2021). The following Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) graph illustrates these escalating incidence trends (CSIS, 2021). Note the dramatic increase in terrorist attacks and plots over recent years. Perpetrators tend to adhere to extremist ideologies.

Today, nuclear threat exists around the world with capabilities exponentially higher than the devastating World War II atomic bombs of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Bennett, 2016; Nuclear Weapons Staff, 2018). World-wide nuclear arms agreements are breaking down increasingly, resulting in heightened threat to humankind and the planet (Foley, 2019; Reiff & Sanders-Zakre, 2019; Weisberger, 2019). How else could no living thing survive, except in our current generation of both nuclear warfare capability and threat.

Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, launched an attack on neighboring Ukraine on February 24, 2022 (Lister et al., 2022). Russia is on the eastern border of Ukraine. Ukraine has been independent since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Ukrainian president Zelenskyy was democratically elected in 2019 (Clinton, 2022). Putin accused the Ukranian government of Nazism, in part, justifying the aggression. Ironically president Zelenskyy is Jewish and spoke out about the absurdity of such a claim (Li et al., 2022). Ukrainians are fighting back, and millions of citizens have crossed over to countries on the west causing a major refugee crisis. UNICEF indicates critical infrastructure has been targeted by Russian attacks causing dangerous conditions in Ukraine including loss of electricity, water and heat (English & Rance, 2022). Millions of children and their families will increasingly suffer under harsh, winter conditions. The United States, Canada, and the European Union have condemned the incursion and have imposed sanctions (Khurshudyan et al., 2022; Kirby, 2022). Russia has lost between 60,000 and 80,000 troops and is seeking to increase its troops for this unpopular war among Russian citizens with professional soldiers from Middle East countries such as Syria (Faulconbridge, 2022). Russian leaders have eliminated upper age limits for recruits and is even recruiting prisoners to increase its military personnel (Garamone, 2022). NATO continues to support Ukraine and its right to sovereignty (NATO, 2022). Sanctions have crippled Russia’s economy and Putin has threatened nuclear attack. The Russian invasion of Ukraine reached a two-year anniversary on February 24, 2024. China-Russia relations appear to be strengthening (Bredemeir, 2023; Glantz & Freeman, 2024). “Gog and Magog” come to mind (Rev. 20:8).

Earthquakes

“There will be great earthquakes…in various places…” (Luke 21:11). The term “great” qualifies the intensity or magnitude of “earthquakes” during end times. Of the Synoptic Gospels, only Luke uses the adjective form “great” which translates directly in the original Aramaic language spoken by Jesus (Nash, 2018; Pruitt, 2020a). Earthquakes have increased in occurrences and intensity throughout history as can be seen in the following chart of up to 19^th century occurrences (Earthquake History, 2015).

Century Number

8th century 2

11th century 1

12th century 2

15th century 1

16th century 2

17th century 3

19th century 10

Earthquake magnitude ranges from 1 to 10 with 5 and above considered significant, and 8.0 or larger considered “great” according to seismologists (Asiala, 2017; Lin, 2017). The largest recorded earthquake, 9.5, occurred in the Pacific Ocean near the coast of Valdivia, Chile in 1960 (“World’s Largest Recorded Earthquake,” 2019). More aftershocks occur with greater magnitude earthquakes. For example, the March 2011 earthquake in Japan had a magnitude of 9.0 and triggered tsunamis as well as hundreds of aftershocks following the main shock (Israel, 2011).

Earthquakes have occurred throughout history and increases have been somewhat attributed to the advances in seismic technology around the globe (Mooney & White 2009). However, the incidence of earthquakes has increased in the 20^th century and over recent years (Infoplease Staff, 2017; Science News, 2014). See this 2:36-minute, time-lapse National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) video of earthquakes from 1901 to 2000 (Pacific TWC, 2018).

Seismology data also indicate “more than 10,000 ‘strong’ earthquakes” occurred “between 1900 and 2015” (Poon, 2015, para. 1). U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data indicate in 2019, there were 99 significant earthquakes around the world (USGS, 2019). This increased frequency of larger magnitude earthquakes cannot be accounted for by more detection ability because of the increase in seismographs around the globe (Webb, 2008). In only the first eleven years of the 21st century we had fifteen large earthquakes. According to USGS data, there were 54 large earthquakes (≥ 6.0) in 2020 (USGS, 2020). Nevada had a 6.5 earthquake felt in neighboring states with “dozens of aftershocks” on May 15, 2020 (Associated Press, 2020a, para. 3). An earthquake hit Haiti on August 14, 2021, with a magnitude of 7.2 (Dupain et al., 2021; USGS, 2021). Thousands of people lost their lives and were injured. Landslides and a tropical storm complicated rescue and relief work. The president of Haiti, Jovenel Moise, had been brazenly assassinated the month before. The instability, upheaval, displacements, injuries and loss of lives are devastating. Haiti was still recovering from a 7.0 earthquake in 2010. A devastating 7.8 earthquake occurred in Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023 (USGS, 2023). More than 50,000 people have been killed in these densely populated areas (Krishnasi, 2023). A 6.8 earthquake occurred in Morocco on September 8, 2023, killing over 2,000 people (Loveluck & Rosenzweig-Ziff, 2023). A 6.3 earthquake struck in Afghanistan on October 7, 2023 (Noack & Khan, 2023). Over 2,400 were killed and thousands were injured.

Researchers are finding climate change impacts earthquakes as well as other disasters of our times (McGuire, 2016). Therefore, the world-wide increasing frequency of earthquakes, cannot be solely attributed to advanced seismic technology. Evidence supports human activity such as deep well waste-water disposal and fracking (fossil fuel extraction) have contributed to increasing seismic activity (Earthworks, 2017; Hough & Page, 2015; Hugo, 2016; Simpson, 2021).

Famines

“There will be…famines” (Luke 21:11; Mark 13:8; Matt. 24:7).

Global famine is becoming a major world-wide crisis, despite modern era advances in mass production of food. Shortages in food to masses of people around the world are mistakenly believed to be a result of the increased world-wide population. Instead, famine is directly related to wars and strife, marginalizing of the poor with restricted access, high food prices, economic crises, and environmental disasters (United Nations, 2021). Revolutions in Middle East and African nations and elsewhere around the world have been sparked by food shortages as related to these conditions. Sustainable food production, food aide, and efforts to diminish food waste are undermined by the confluence of environmental, war, economic, and COVID-19 impacts.

According to climate assessment reports, global warming has devastating, interconnected impacts (U.S. Global Change Research Program, 2018). The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) also warns of global impacts (Watts, 2018). In addition to critical shortages of water, extreme climate-related drought conditions result in loss of livestock and crops (Ghafary, 2018). In recent years, severe locust plagues occurred in East Africa and elsewhere (Bearak & Tato, 2020). Massive locust devastation to crops compounds climate-related impacts (Flis, 2020; Stone, 2020). Across western portions of the United States, drought conditions resulted in dense swarms of grasshoppers devastating crops (van der Voo, 2021).

Famine is also related to pandemics such as being experienced with the coronavirus outbreak (Picheta, 2020). Already-existing food insecurity is worsened by this pandemic. Coronavirus-related lockdowns negatively impact access to supply chains, in turn, intensifying food shortages (Chotiner, 2020; Husain, 2020). The Russian invasion of Ukraine has created a blockage of Ukrainian grain ships around the Black Sea creating additional food shortages (Abbas, 2022). Multi-national efforts are underway to avert a “global food crisis” (para. 1) by blockage of Ukrainian grain. Domino-crisis impacts are being felt from health, to economics, to food shortages, to huge population losses. Under such sobering conditions, children have been sold to feed families along with other abuses (Bezhan & Saber, 2018; Cerullo, 2018; United Nations, 2020b).

Disease

“There will be…pestilences” (Luke 21:11).

Outbreaks of disease have occurred throughout history. However, like wars, earthquakes, and famines, disease epidemics have also dramatically increased. Influenza and AIDS are among devastating pandemics of the 20th and now, 21st century (Kilbourne, 2006). A chronology of widespread diseases in history follows (Kohn, 2008).

Century Number

BC 11th 1

4th 5

3rd 1

2nd 2

AD 1st 2

2nd 1

3rd

4th

5th 4

6th 4

7th 2

8th 1

9th 3

10th 5

11th 3

12th 2

13th 2

14th 14

15th 40

16th 51

17th 82

18th 146

19th 185

Timelines for the top pandemics are listed below (History.com Editors, 2020; Nag, 2018; WHO, 2022).

430 B.C. Athens

165 A.D. Antonine Plague

250 A.D. Cyprian Plague

541 A.D. Justinian Plague

11^th Century Leprosy

1350 The Black Death

1492 The Columbian Exchange

1665 The Great Plague of London

1817 First Cholera Pandemic

1855 The Third Plague Pandemic

1875 Fiji Measles Pandemic

1889 Russian Flu

1918 Spanish Flu

1957 Asian Flu

1981 HIV/AIDS

2003 SARS

2009 H1N1 Flu Pandemic

2019 COVID-19

2022 Monkeypox

The worst pandemics in history have occurred in the past century (Miller, 2020). Epidemics have likewise increased associated with wars, famine, and disruptions to water supply as well as sewage systems.

Spikes in measles cases domestically and around the world have occurred according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2020b) and other data sources (Howard & Goldschmidt, 2019). Measles had been eliminated after the successful vaccination program of the 1960s. However, unvaccinated persons, globalization, and isolation impacts of COVID-19 have contributed to a surge in measles cases domestically and world-wide (Keenan et al., 2021). See the following CDC (2020b) chart.

An outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) occurred worldwide (Shih et al., 2020; WHO, 2020). This strand of coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was declared a pandemic and global health emergency (Joseph, 2020). The virus infection spread from Wuhan, China. Related cases and death tolls surged around the world. See this 3:53-minute, time-lapse video of cases and deaths (Global Stats, 2020).

Isolation measures continue to be taken to flatten the curve (decrease spikes) in incidence trends (Bensadoun, 2020). These measures include state-of-emergency declarations, quarantines, school closures, cancellations of events, and border closures (Wee et al., 2020). As people literally grab groceries from others’ hands and otherwise panic over food (Kunkle & Ruane, 2020) it’s not difficult to know how food insecurities lead to war.

COVID-19 deaths increased at alarming rates, devastating whole countries, e.g., Italy, processed bodies in the streets and cemeteries ran out of space. Morgues, funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematoriums have been overwhelmed around the world (Associated Press, 2020b) and in the U.S. (Allen, G., 2020; Hauslohner & Berman, 2020; Mosher, 2020).

Restrictions limit funeral arrangements and size such that only a few can occur in a given day. And with the escalation of COVID-19 deaths, burials have been delayed, and deceased persons accumulate faster than can be processed. Bodies have been stored in refrigerator trailers (Rose, 2020; Silman, 2020) and in places like Ecuador, left on the streets (Armus, 2020).

Inability to bear the cost of burial is compounded by the economic crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and overrepresentation of impoverished populations. These conditions exponentially increase the “potter’s field” necessities that have been around for centuries (Al-Arshani, 2020; Daniel, 2020).

Jewish and Muslim traditions have also been altered for handling and processing deceased coronavirus victims (Heller & Maclean, 2020). These pandemic conditions add to already-existing necroviolence tensions between these waring states and constitute violations of religious rites. In India, COVID mortality rates are among the highest world-wide, yet underestimated (Anand et al., 2021). Increased infections among doctors and hospital staff, along with shortages in supplies and equipment worsened the crisis in India (Constable & Dutta, 2021). Funeral pyre rituals cannot be performed because families cannot afford the costs and bodies have been found in the Ganges River (Constable, 2021).

With spikes in COVID-19, hospital space and personnel as well as mortuaries became even more stretched thin (Parra et al., 2020; Root, 2020). According to WHO data, over 6 million people world-wide died from COVID-19 (WHO, 2023). COVID-19 variants formed affecting populations world-wide (WHO, 2021). The Delta variant is particularly virulent, and a resurgence is occurring in the United States and world-wide, particularly among the unvaccinated (Abutaleb & Sellers, 2021; Cunningham, 2021). The Delta incidence trend is outpacing vaccination rates and children and younger persons have been particularly affected (Achenbach et al., 2021). The subsequent Omicron variant spread rapidly around the world (Mandavilli, 2021). A monkeypox outbreak was declared an international emergency (Euronews, 2022; WHO, 2022). Monkeypox is related to smallpox, but seldom causes death. It is spread through contact. Symptoms of monkeypox include a rash with blisters, fatigue, fever, and swollen lymph glands. And COVID is on the rise again worldwide (Kline, 2024).

“Birth pains” continue to be borne out metaphorically in these escalating trends.

Fires

John’s New Testament prophetic visions also include end times catastrophes such as fires. “The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire” (Revelation 16: 8-9).

We are having unprecedented global warming, largely due to humankind activities such as carbon emissions which have also reached all-time highs (Harvey, 2018; Mooney, 2019). Trends are accelerating to the extent of outpacing even recent scientific forecasts. Global warming around the world, largely contributed to by CO₂ emissions, has in effect produced massive amounts of dry land susceptible to wildfires such as experienced in California and other regions across North America as well as around the world (Berwyn, 2018; Noack & Booth, 2022).

California’s “new normal” is devastating wildfires, from the northern to southern ends (Siddiqui, 2019, p. A1). Whether a result of deforestation or wildfires, smoke emitted into the atmosphere can be seen in satellite images and is carried with wind negatively affecting air quality and global warming (Gray, 2019).

Wildfires rage in California with record-breaking incidence trends for such occurrences, fueled by extreme heat and drought conditions (Kaplan, 2021). Trapped residents in affected areas were evacuated by air and advised to jump into nearby bodies of water “as a last resort should the fire get too close” (Freedman, 2020b, para. 6). In August of 2023 a devastating wildfire occurred in Hawaii (Thebault et al., 2023). Many lives, homes and businesses were lost. It was the worst fire in Hawaiian history. National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) data indicate huge fires continue across the United States and have burned over 3.1 million acres (NIFC, 2022).

Elsewhere in the U.S. in places like Denver, record-breaking weather variations occurred between extreme heat and early snowfall (Sullivan, 2020). A huge derecho (violent thunderstorm) with over 100 mph winds in some places, swept across the mid-west destroying millions of acres of crops (Cappucci, 2020). Homes and other properties were destroyed as well. East coast waters are warming spawning unusual marine life and fierce storms (Samenow & Freedman, 2020).

The incidence of devastating wildfires has increased worldwide causing even greater amounts of CO₂ emissions, increasing the intensity of the sun. The sun screening ordinarily available in the environment becomes significantly less available, making arid land much more combustible. In 2023 Canada experienced its worse wildfires in history (Pogue, 2023). Winds blew southward to eastern parts of the United States creating dangerous, record-breaking smoke in cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. Inhaling particles from plumbs of smoke creates dangerous health hazards. Warnings were issued for unprecedented dangerously high air quality levels from toxic plumes. Air quality levels were as high as code purple in the Washington, DC area (Failla, 2023; Moore et al., 2023). A thick haze covered the air, and the smell of smoke was apparent. Because of the hazardous air quality levels, warnings were issued to avoid going outside and to wear masks. Many were still wearing masks related to the COVID outbreak. Mask wearing shifted to protecting against air-borne pollutants and breathing toxic air.

Forestry helps remove CO₂ from the atmosphere and with reductions in forestry due to massive fires, filtering out of CO₂ significantly decreases. In addition to the direct devastation of wildfires, including loss of lives and property, the black carbon emitted is carried by wind to places far from where the wildfires are occurring causing severe breathing problems (Fisher et al., 2021). Airborne wildfire pollutants have blown to melting snow and ice in the Artic and other regions increasing snow and ice melting which further increases the release of CO₂ that had been trapped in the glaciers for centuries (Freedman, 2020a; Khurshudyan et al., 2020).

World-wide corrective actions are outpaced by dangerous emissions trends. It’s a vicious circle increasing temperatures exponentially as illustrated in this National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) graph (Lindsey & Dahlman, 2020).

As a result of man-made global warming, weather conditions never experienced before are occurring around the world including a summer hailstorm “more than three feet” deep in Guadalajara, Mexico (Mettler, 2019, p. A11). Up to six feet accumulated in some areas (Brito, 2019).

Temperatures are dangerously high and massive deaths associated with heat waves are occurring outstripping previous record highs (Paddison, 2023; Sengupta, 2024). Record-breaking temperatures around the world have caused massive heat-related deaths (Kaplan & Dance, 2024).

Intense rainfall caused massive flooding in Germany and elsewhere in Europe (Cuff, 2021; Morris, 2021; Schmidt et al., 2021). And in China, a deluge of massive rainfall left many trapped in subways and buildings (Myers, 2021). Record-breaking heavy rainfall in India has also left areas submerged and forced evacuations (Gangan, 2021). Hundreds perished or went missing in these areas of intense rainfall and flooding.

Climate change related to human activities has caused these intense, devastating, and accelerating events – from extreme droughts to massive wildfires, to unprecedented rainfall, to melting glaciers, to sea level rise, to extreme heat (Gohd, 2021; Pandey, 2021, Phillips et al., 2022). See this 1:46-minute video about record-breaking rainfall in Greenland (Reuters, 2021). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbT6lAMz8Rs

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report (2021), greenhouse gas as a result of human activities is negatively affecting land, sea, and air. China and the United States, in that order, are the largest emitters of greenhouse gas (Dennis & Joselow, 2022; World Economic Forum, 2020). Trends are dangerously accelerating globally. Politicizing of the climate crisis and contributing factors hinder actualizing constructive changes. The prophet Isaiah forecast these devastations in the last days.

The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt. Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up, and very few are left. The new wine dries up and the vine withers; all the merrymakers groan. The gaiety of the tambourines is stilled, the noise of the revelers has stopped, the joyful harp is silent. No longer do they drink wine with a song; the beer is bitter to its drinkers. . .The floodgates of the heavens are opened, the foundations of the earth shake. The earth is broken up, the earth is split asunder, the earth is thoroughly shaken (Isaiah 24: 5-9; 18-19).

Severe thunderstorms and earthquakes are described in Isiah’s latter-day prophecies. It is made clear in the preceding text that there will be no social distinctions among those affected by the devastations.

Rising Sea Levels

The “critical threshold for global warming…by an average of 2 degrees Celsius” within the United States and around the world has been reached with major environmental repercussions (Mufson et al., 2019, p. A10). Rising sea water, flooding, forest fires, agricultural problems, and extreme weather events are consequences of global warming (Lindsey, 2019; Nahigyan, 2016; Tharoor, 2020).

According to NASA data, the rate of rising sea water has accelerated (Weeman & Lynch, 2018). Global sea-level rise is so rapidly occurring as to outstrip scientific estimates (Kulp & Strauss, 2019). This graph illustrates dramatic rise in coastal flooding around the world (Lindsey, 2021).

Global Sea Level Since 1880

In the Artic, Greenland Ice Sheet Melt (GIS) is rapidly accelerating, also contributing to sea level rise (American Geophysical Union, 2023; Box et al., 2022; Briner et al., 2020; Horhold et al., 2023). Antartica ice is also melting due to global warming, additionally contributing to global sea level rise (Fogerty, 2023). Associated impacts include erosion of land masses around the world, as illustrated in this 2:44-minute, time-lapse video (Kuzoian, 2015).

As you can see from the video, coastal areas will be the first to be submerged by rising sea levels such as also occurred in Japan (Denyer & Mooney, 2019). Ripple effects include diminished resources impacting ecosystems, economies, regional staples such as the salmon fishing industry, and even tourism. The warming trend is accelerating around the world causing increasingly rapid expansion of seawater as well as sea-level rise from melting ice (Amadeo, 2019; Dill & Miller, 2021). Tsunamis caused by underwater volcano eruptions also contribute to sea level rise such as occurred in Tonga, a pacific island nation (Khan, 2022). These eruptions are increasing due to climate change (Sneed, 2017).

Millions of people are being displaced, becoming climate refugees. In turn, competing for resources increasingly leads to wars (Abel et al., 2019; Tirone, 2019). The Signs of the End of the Age spoken of by Jesus are borne out in these rapidly accelerating events analogous to “birth pains.”

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains” (Matt. 24: 7-8).

The Amazon jungle is often described as the lungs of the planet because it recycles carbon dioxide through its rainforest producing significant amounts of earth’s oxygen annually (Kaiser, 2019; Laud, 2019). South America is experiencing a dramatic increase in droughts and fires (Bertrand, 2020; de Oliveira Andrade, 2019). Raging fires occurring in the Amazon are results of deforestation and significantly contribute to greenhouse gas affecting the entire world and impacting rainfall, ecosystems, and food production as well as air quality (Fitzner, 2019; Ortiz, 2019b).

Longer dry seasons, consequential from deforestation, also negatively impact vegetation and biodiversity necessary for healthy, sustainable environments. Deforestation in South America, Africa and elsewhere around the globe, has increased dramatically (Butler, 2019). Restricting deforestation is necessary to limit further degrading of ecosystems (Lovejoy & Nobre, 2018). Deforestation together with rapidly melting glaciers have accelerated carbon emissions and detrimental climate impacts beyond predictions (Mooney & Dennis, 2019). Permafrost melting in Siberia is resulting in loss of homes, pastoral land, and agrarian income, in turn creating another region of climate refugees (Troianovski & Mooney, 2019). See this 18-minute video about the global deforestation crisis (ITV News, 2019).

NASA and NOAA data indicate the hottest global temperatures ever recorded occurred during the decade of the 2010s (Cole & Jacobs, 2020).

Notice the line graph plot lines for world-wide wars, earthquakes, climate change, and temperatures have very similar trajectories.

Climatologists are warning about these irreversible consequences of global warming. Climate accord has become a centerpiece of international agreements (Olorunnipa et al., 2019). The Synthesis Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has indicated greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activities continue to increase globally contributing to dire climatic change (IPCC, 2023). Lack of multinational agreement is to the global peril of humankind. These here-and-now impacts align with John’s end times visions. These signs “…are the beginning of birth pains” (Matt. 24:8) that precede Christ’s coming again. God’s wrath being poured out upon the earth during the end times is also revealed in the Apostle John’s Revelations.

We have been entrusted with caring for the earth and all that dwell therein since the Garden of Eden as revealed in the Genesis 1 creation account. Human actions and inactions are causing the rapid demise of our planet – God’s paradise gift to humankind. We are God’s environmental stewards. We must practice environmental stewardship to be entrusted with the kingdom on earth soon to come as prophesied in Isaiah 65 and Revelation 21.

Corruption

We are given descriptions of humankind in the last days through Paul’s second letter to Timothy.

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them (2 Tim. 3:1-5).

These characteristics though ages old, are more extensively and intensively manifest throughout the world today (Leins, 2020; Sandbrook, 2016; Transparency International, 2019; “Why Tackling Corruption,” 2020). Leadership of our country as well as abroad certainly reflects these descriptions of the last days. We live in an increasingly narcissistic world as demonstrated in self-serving bias and corruption at the highest levels of government around the world. Leaders and governments are impervious to social justice and equal rights, increasingly leading to protests among constituents (Kaplan et al., 2020).

From its inception, the United States failed to live up to Christian principles upon which it claimed to be founded. European colonization wherever it occurred, displaced indigenous peoples justified by biased Biblical interpretations steeped in supremacist otherism and motives of economic gain (FemNorthNet, 2016; Otto & Okogyeamon, n.d.). The realities of European colonization and associated Christian missionary proselytizing was difficult, at best, to reconcile in African and other cultures (Fanon, 1967; Felder & Smith, 1999; Franklin, 1974; Harris, 1987; Sigmund, 1967; Thurman, 1976). The impacts of enslaved, marginalized, displaced, and disenfranchised peoples continue. To be authentically Christian is to embrace all humanity.

White supremacy groups have increased perpetration of violence in the United States (Jones, 2018). Acts of extreme violence have occurred in synagogues, schools, and churches (Ortiz, 2019a). Incidents of such violence include white supremacists’/white nationalists’ attacks on worshippers attending a prayer meeting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina (Elliott, 2020) as well as worshippers at Jewish synagogues in Pittsburgh (Chevez et al., 2018) and near San Diego (Romero et al., 2019; Times Staff, 2019).

Racist attacks are increasing in the wake of COVID-19 and social justice movements such as Black Lives Matter. Asians in the U.S. and abroad have been victimized by racist rhetoric and attacks blaming them for the pandemic (Human Rights Watch, 2020; Russell, 2020). Individuals have been threatened with nooses symbolic of lynchings in a spate of white supremacist counter protests (Green et al., 2020).

Unfortunately, such attacks are emboldened by the political climate and hate-filled rhetoric. According to a compilation of data by the University of Maryland (2017) terrorist attacks in the United States increased significantly between 1970 and 2016. Mass casualties such as resulting from the 9/11 attacks contributed to this significant increase. The data also indicate that mass murders are increasingly motivated by religious, nationalist/separatist and political ideologies, with some overlapping. Acts of terror against Black churches by white supremacists resulting in multiple Black casualties and deaths have occurred since slavery (Otiko, 2015). However, within more recent years there have been spikes in such attacks upon houses of worship for various ethnicities. These violent, hate-motivated attacks have occurred both domestically and in other countries such as Australia, the UK, Canada, Sweden, Greece, Norway, Italy, and New Zealand (Beckett, 2019; Cai & Landon, 2019; Finley, 2017; Levin, 2019; Morial, 2019). The global expansion of white supremacy and jihad-inspired groups is a result of increased technology and social media platforms characteristic of our digital age.

Signs of the End of the Age

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34-36).

The Final Battleground

The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East (Rev. 16:12).

John’s prophetic vision informs about conditions and locations central to the return of Christ.

The Euphrates and Tigris Rivers run parallel from eastern Turkey on the north, through Syria and Iraq, and come together emptying into the Persian Gulf on the south (National Geographic Society, 2019). The Tigris-Euphrates river basin, known as Mesopotamia, had been quite fertile in a very arid region of the world and has spawned civilizations for millennia (Gibbon, 2019). Once fertile land is now drying rapidly because of climate change, overuse, and wars occurring among neighboring countries that restrict access to clean water (Hamad, 2020; Novak, 2024). Water resources are major issues around the world with scarcity igniting already-existing tensions among opposing factions (Loucks & van Beck, 2017). Water has been weaponized for millennia; however, occurrences have significantly increased during modern times (Pacific Institute, 2019).

In the Middle East, construction of dams upstream in Turkey where the Euphrates and Tigris emanate, has created water scarcity for countries downstream of these vital sources of water (Ibrahim, 2020; Mohammed, 2018).

As an example, after many years of controversy and protests, the Turkish government flooded the upper valley area of the Euphrates basin creating the Ilisu Dam to provide hydropower to the region (Gail, 2020). Villagers with ancestral ties to the valley area were displaced and relocated, creating tensions (Hammer, 2017). This scenario has repeated in the region with countries downstream of the Euphrates and Tigris suffering drying of the riverbeds. For example, in Iraq, the southern-most country along the Euphrates and Tigris, drying conditions have resulted in water scarcity and inability to farm (Cockburn, 2018; Robertson, 2009).

Highway construction in the region has also contributed to displacement as well as contention over access. For example, the M4 Highway runs across northern Syria on the border with Turkey and is strategic in the region (Macaron, 2020). Russia has aligned with Turkey to protect this vital roadway (O’Connor, 2020). The U.S. is also involved in protections of the area and multi-national alliances have formed in the interest of peace and stability in the region.

Extreme heat related to climate-change in an already arid region, intensifies needs for water resources (Loveluck & Mooney, 2020). Iraq for example, experienced a record-breaking temperature of 125℉ in July 2020 (Lucente, 2020). Massive droughts and dust storms have also been occurring in the region at accelerating rates (Naranjo, 2020).

Long-standing issues have intensified due to water scarcity, political upheavals, religious differences, and terrorist insurgencies leading to massive flight of refugees and instability in the region (Evans et al., 2019; Schmitt et al., 2019). Rigid adherence to opposing theological perspectives is at the heart of warring factions with ideals at one extreme, to incite an apocalypse through terrorism (Elbaum, 2018). Instability in the region is intensified by displacement of war refugees, radicalization efforts, diminished water supplies, lack of sanitation leading to disease such as cholera, and impacts of COVID-19 (Chotiner, 2020; Wilson Center, 2020). Food shortages are being experienced around the world (Husain, 2020). Water scarcities are tremendously increasing around the world with associated impacts (Klobucista & Robinson, 2023).

What’s next?

The description by Christ of end time signs continues:

“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near” (Luke 21:20). “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel – let the reader understand – then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains…For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again” (Matt. 24:15-16, 21).

These signs of the end of the age provided by Christ require as pre-conditions, the rebirth of Israel as well as the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. This “abomination that causes desolation” is also referred to in Daniel’s prophesy and represents the desecration of the temple in Jerusalem and the setting up of an alter to the pagan god Zeus Olympius under the reign of the Greek King, Antiochus Epiphanes in 168 B.C. (Dan. 11:31). The second temple was erected by Jews in 1515 BC upon their return to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon (Duignan, 2023). The second temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. The post-AD 70 restoration of Israel as prophesied in Ezekiel (37:12-14, 21-22; 38:8; 39:27-28), Jeremiah (16:14-15; 23:7-8), and Zechariah (8:8) became a miraculous reality in 1948 (Gillette, 2008; Morris, 2008). In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel defeated threatening Arab nations and regained control of Jerusalem (Onion et al., 2023; Oren, 2002). However, the sacred temple in Old Jerusalem, known as Dome of the Rock, remains a sacred place of worship and prayer to Muslims and under their control.

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem Michael Freeman—Digital Vision/Getty Images

Jewish people bemoan the takeover at the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, where they pray for the restoration of the Holy Temple historically at that site.

The Western Wall/Wailing Wall

Preparations are underway for rebuilding the Temple (Ben-Yechiel, 2008; Mountain, 2008). Sacred relics, including the menorah, were taken from the original Temple and carried to Rome in 70 CE during the reign of Titus, and they remain there at the Vatican (Berkowitz, 2017). Relations now between the Vatican and the Jewish state favor the potential repatriation of these precious artifacts to Israel (Moskoff, 2022). The Dome of the Rock remains a source of tensions and conflicts between Jews and Muslims (Staff & Magid, 2023).

The Third Temple and related ceremonies are planned for the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem as described in the book of Numbers.

This is a requirement of the law that the Lord has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without defect or blemish and that has never been under a yoke. Give it to Eleazar the priest; it is to be taken outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence. Then Eleazar the priest is to take some of its blood on his finger and sprinkle it seven times toward the front of the Tent of Meeting. While he watches, the heifer is to be burned –its hide, flesh, blood and offal. (Numbers 19:2-5)

Orthodox Jews are preparing for this event with the acquisition of red heifers and the purification of priests for this coming ritual (JNS, 2023; Mitchell, 2023). Five red heifers donated by Christians arrived in Israel flown in from the U.S. on September 15, 2022 (Jansezian, 2022; Jones, 2022). They are being watched and scrutinized carefully. The timing of the ceremony remains controversial (Gadzo, 2024). The priests are identified and trained, and Third Temple construction is being planned. It is to be located on the Mount of Olives from where the Dome of the Rock (Holy Temple) can be viewed (Lasher, 2023; Schneider, 2023). Special garments and vessels have been made. The process is meticulously overseen by the Temple Institute.

Five red heifers arrived in Israel on Sept. 15, 2022. Photo: Boneh Israel

See this video about the plans for the red heifer and the Third Temple (Mitchell, 2023). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euwx-g1Cx3s

“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. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:25-28).

Christ prepares us with the aforementioned signs of the end of the age and the circumstances surrounding His return in the Olivet discourse.

“Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it (the kingdom of God) is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened” (Mark 13:29-30; Luke 21:31-32).

A biblical generation is 40, 70, or 100 years (Hanley, 2018; Hile, 2002). Forty years post the 1948 restoration of Israel translates to 1988 which has long passed. This leaves a 70-year or 100-year interpretation of a generation. A Biblical generation most often refers to a range of 70+ years.

The length of our days is seventy years ── or eighty (Psalm 90:10).

More important than numerical forecasting are Jesus’ descriptions of circumstances surrounding His return. Don’t be lulled into complacency by “No one knows about that day or the hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32; Matt. 24:36). That verse when considered within the more extensive context of these and succeeding chapters indicates, even among Christians, people will be caught off guard by Christ’s second coming (White, 1991, Chapter 2). Consider the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-13). Let’s not be caught without oil for our lamps. The lesson and fuller meaning is that we are to live as if we do not know the day or hour! “Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:1).

We know that the testimony of Christ Jesus will have been provided throughout the world in the last days. Our information age and associated technologies have enabled this world-wide circumstance. Christ describes this spread of the gospel in his discourse concerning ‘Signs of the End of the Age.’

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24: 14).

In this same section of end-times Scripture, Christ states:

“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (Matt. 24:10-11).

We are currently experiencing unprecedented apostasy with large percentages of people leaving organized religion because of systemic corruption, hypocrisy, piety, and victimization (Smith, 2021). Church corruption is ages old. However, the increasing scale and magnitude are consistent with the “birth pains” conceptualization. Based on polls, many believe in God but increasingly reject organized religion (Beinart, 2017; Jones 2019). One writer describes the dissociation of Americans from organized religion as having “skyrocketed in recent decades” (Dionne, 2018, para. 1). Also based upon polling, Americans as well as Europeans increasingly do not believe in “the God of the Bible” (Shimron, 2022, para. 3).

Lack of social justice, hypocrisy and the corruption of moral standards have come to be major turnoffs for religious affiliation. Corruption and immorality have occurred across denominations historically, and in some cases have increased, e.g., child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church (Bailey, 2021; Boorstein, 2020; Liebreich, 2019; Noack, 2021), and the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization (Dale & Smith, 2023; Jones, 2020). According to a Southern Baptist Convention report, allegations of sexual abuse by church leaders were routinely covered up for decades (French, 2022). Mismanagement and cover-ups within religious institutions are ages old (Associated Press, 2021; Raine & Kent, 2019). Investigations reveal over 200,000 children and youth were sexually abused by Catholic clergy in France over the past seventy years (Vandoorne et al., 2021). That number of child sexual abuse cases increases to over 300,000 factoring in affiliated organizations such as Catholic schools. Several hundred allegations of abuse within Spain’s Catholic church are being investigated (Landauro, 2022). In remote areas, such as the Republic of Congo, allegations of rape by priests are allegedly covered up by the church hierarchy (Harlan & Uaykani, 2022). While the Vatican has pledged commitment to more fully address abuses, those charged with investigation, in some instances, have well-established friendships with alleged perpetrators, creating conflicts of interest (Harlan & Coletta, 2022c).

A research report of child sexual abuse in organized religion indicates, compared to other contexts, those abused within religious institutions are less likely to report (Hurcombe et al., 2019). Loss of faith was also among research findings. Investigative reports of sexual and physical abuse are ongoing, including, in Maryland where allegations of decades of abuse continue to mount (Boorstein & Kunkle, 2023). Child victims include those “met” while “recovering in hospitals” (para, 2). Victims have suffered depression, and some have committed suicide. For those seeking justice through court systems, statutes of limitations bills are being challenged and the Catholic Church is increasing its lobbyist activities and related expenditures to protect its liability (Capatides, 2019; Graham, 2023).

Religious alignment with oppressive, inhumane regimes is another area of religious hypocrisy. Adventists aligned with Hitler and the Nazi regime during WWII, forsaking denominational doctrines (Plantak, 1998; Schroder, 2003). The deceased famed leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI), Elijah Muhammad, fathered children outside of his marriage, some by teenagers within his organization, defying strict NOI moral tenets against adultery (Bates, 2020). Malcolm X attributed his rife with NOI in part, to this failure in moral leadership (von Klaus, 2019). Churches continue to grapple with sex discrimination in pulpit ministry, despite equity progress (Aldredge-Clanton, 2017; McKenzie, 2011; Pilgrim, 2019). Misapplications of Scripture occur concerning the role of women in churches, as well as other issues, when biblical social context is not considered.

Violations of religious tenets, moral principles, and ethics are certainly not unique to any denomination. It’s safe to say, every denomination is humanly flawed and has misapplied scripture. As a result, rejection of institutional religion occurs across denominations, and yes, there is a crisis within organized religion resulting in increasing disaffiliation, atheism, and agnosticism, especially among millennials otherwise known as nones (Jenkins, 2019; Shimron, 2022). According to Pew research data, nones largely do not identify with religion because they “question a lot of religious teachings” (Alper, 2018, para. 1).

Racism and oppression in its most vile form, slavery, was institutionalized and promulgated by the European Christian church (Wilson, 2000). Bible passages were cherry picked and decontextualized to justify the brutal and dehumanizing institution of slavery (Rae, 2018). The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (2018) published a report on the history of slavery and racism within its organization. In this self-analysis and historical review, the denomination decontextualized scripture to rationalize the brutality of slavery as well as the oppression and subjugation of Blacks in particular, and people of color in general. Even images of Jesus reflected the dominant Eurocentric culture. Yes, it is true that images of Christ are relative to culture (McFarlan, 2020; Tundel, 2008). However, the Bible provides descriptions of Jesus in John’s vision.

…and among the lampstands was someone ‘like a son of man,’ dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters (Rev. 1: 13-15).

How else could child Jesus be undetected in Mary and Joseph’s flight from Bethlehem to Egypt in order to escape Herod’s edict “to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under” (Matt. 2:16). At the time of Jesus, Jews in Egypt were physically indistinguishable from native Egyptians (Jarus, 2018; Pruitt, 2020b). An authentic, historically accurate image of Jesus would have to reflect physical features consistent for the time and place. See this amazing video about the image of Christ as described in the Bible (Wilson, 2020). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnrWbdVztiw

Though African-American culture has historically embraced Christianity and largely identified with a suffering Jesus, rejections of such identification occur in Black literature, music, and movements such as the Harlem Renaissance, Black power, and push for social justice (Cone, 1997). Social justice is inextricably tied to Old and New Testament Scriptures (Felder, 1989). As noted by Felder, eschatological justice is a theme across the Book of Revelation, reflecting judgement to come within a broader context of mercy.

Brutal dispossession of Native American land by European settlers is another example (De Graaf, 2015; United to End Genocide, 2016). This 1:27-minute, time-lapsed video enlivens the brutal, inhumane process and relegation of indigenous people to reservations (Saunt & Berry, 2014).

The callous invasion and possession of Native American land was justified by European Christianity which espoused that indigenous people were heathens in need of conversion (Gueno, 2017). Battles and brutal efforts to force assimilation and displace indigenous people relegating them to reservations was promulgated by the highest levels of government up to presidents. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 signed into law by then president, Andrew Jackson facilitated the genocide, dehumanization and displacements of Native Americans rationalized by twisted divinely ordained perceptions (Fixico, 2019). Native American children were placed in orphanages where they were deprived of their families, language and culture (Pendharkar, 2022). Almost all were “run by religious groups and churches” (Hedgpeth & Martinez, 2023, p. A3). Some amount of support to these boarding schools was federally funded. In addition to displacement, these Native children suffered physical, psychological, and sexual abuse.

Indigenous people of Canada suffered similar cruelties, displacement, and forced assimilation, also promulgated by Christian missionaries. Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in residential schools where they were not allowed to practice customs and were cruelly treated. Mass graves of children at these sites continue to be found (Coletta, 2021). In 2022, Pope Francis traveled to Canada, offered personal apologies, and sought to reconcile with Indigenous leaders (Harlan & Coletta, 2022a). Reactions were mixed with some Indigenous leaders expressing that personal apologies do not go far enough given that forced displacements, removal of children from their families, and physical abuse was promulgated by the Catholic Church as an institution (Harlan & Coletta, 2022b). Others expressed that the church needs to do more to financially support the social, economic, and environmental needs Canada’s Indigenous people continue to suffer. These forced and cruel conditions suffered by indigenous populations have left legacies of intergenerational trauma.

Secular historical accounts also misrepresent actual occurrences. Distortions of history motivated by racism and spread by credentialed and esteemed persons are both current and long standing. One such example is the misrepresentation of discoveries in the 1840s of ancient Nubian ruins in the Sudan region of Africa. There were assertions by Lepsius, a German Egyptologist, and others that the glorious ancient civilization ‘belonged to the Caucasian race’ despite clearly negroid imagery (Kendall & White, n.d., p. 3). This assertion was later debunked by in-depth historical analyses. More currently, misinformation is being increasingly spread through discourse, including social media (Aimeure et al., 2023).

COVID-19 Impacts

Coronavirus impacts include dramatic expansion of online church services (Morris, 2020). Cloud technology has exponentially increased this capability across sectors (Columbus, 2018). In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, cloud-based technology is expanding and forecast to thrive despite the economic crisis associated with the pandemic (Zachs, 2020). The aforementioned exponential increases certainly demonstrate Jesus’s birth pains analogies and world-wide inclusion of the gospel… testimony to all nations. The push for Internet inclusivity is driven by this global crisis and the need for far-reaching access.

Cloud-based services are dramatically increasing due to COVID-19 distancing requirements impacting remote work, collaboration tools, distance education, and social connectivity (Bridgwater, 2020; Hampton, 2020; Krause, 2020, Paliwal, 2020; Sayegh, 2020). Demands for Internet connectivity related to coronavirus lockdowns are increasing, even in remote areas. For example, Israel’s isolated ultra-orthodox Jewish community, which traditionally had not condoned internet access, is now opening up (Cohen & Scheer, 2020). Church congregations across denominations are conducting virtual services increasing world-wide accessibility (Hua, 2020; Shellnutt, 2020).

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated shutdowns and social distancing restrictions across domains affecting where and how we work, travel, worship, interact, and learn (Xiao & Fan, 2020). With respect to education, there has been a tremendous increase in computer and internet service demands because of massive increases in online instruction worldwide (Allen, 2020; Camera, 2020). With extended school closures, an education crisis has developed, and distance learning has also increased exponentially. E-learning is being supported around the globe (Lau et al., 2020; Matthews, 2020; Thompson, 2020). Mandated quarantines impacting increased use of computer-based services and communications, are driving accelerated cloud-based networks.

Cloud-based applications are also dramatically increasing related to other COVID-19 exigencies such as laboratory testing and telehealth services (Loughrey, 2020). And with high digital technology demand, there is increased urgency in cyber security (Columbus, 2020; Gittlen, 2020; Nolle, 2020).

However, as previously mentioned, there are disparities in access for families and individuals in remote areas who cannot afford computers or internet services (Brown, 2020; Thompson, 2020). Efforts are underway, including massive donations, to ensure access to digital learning locally, nationally, and around the world (Stein, 2020; Woolley et al., 2020).

Devine design is being perfectly orchestrated with diverse circumstances connected by a single domain, the cloud.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1Thess. 4:16-17).

The confluence of events portends of prophecies relevant to our time. While Jesus said, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matt. 24:36; Mark 13:32); Jesus also said, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14). The escalation of events likened to “birth pains” by Jesus (Matt. 24: 8) signal His second coming.

“But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house get broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matt. 24:43-44).

We are connected for a reason in this season of God’s eternity. Each one of us is Divinely designed for this time and these circumstances. Let us carry out with fervor the great commission to be “fishers of men” (Mark 1:17; Matt. 4:19) for “even with so many the net was not torn” (John 21:11) while we await His soon return.

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:9-11).

Our message is not meant to be of profound eschatological significance. Instead, it is meant to convey the strength of God’s word and relevance to our times. Know that “spiritually,” we “are always in the process of becoming” (Wilson, 2000, p. 21). In the words of our dear friend, Nettie Jones, “to God be the glory!”

In the Spirit of Love, Peace, & Harmony
As We Await HIS Soon Return…

Frances Raphael-Howell & Frederick Howell

In loving memory of Isabelle, Velma, Vivian, Ruby, Ethel, Myrtle, Catherine, Malyssa, & Corinne – our village of strong Black women who instilled in us love, faith, and becoming the best of who we are.

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These signs of the end of the age provided by Christ require as pre-conditions, the rebirth of Israel as well as the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. This “abomination that causes desolation” is also referred to in Daniel’s prophesy and represents the desecration of the temple in Jerusalem and the setting up of an alter to the pagan god Zeus Olympius under the reign of the Greek King, Antiochus Epiphanes in 168 B.C. (Dan. 11:31). The second temple was erected by Jews in 1515 BC upon their return to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon (Duignan, 2023). The second temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. The post-AD 70 restoration of Israel as prophesied in Ezekiel (37:12-14, 21-22; 38:8; 39:27-28), Jeremiah (16:14-15; 23:7-8), and Zechariah (8:8) became a miraculous reality in 1948 (Gillette, 2008; Morris, 2008). In the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel defeated threatening Arab nations and regained control of Jerusalem (Onion et al., 2023; Oren, 2002). However, the sacred temple in Old Jerusalem, known as Dome of the Rock, remains a sacred place of worship and prayer to Muslims and under their control.

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem Michael Freeman—Digital Vision/Getty Images

Jewish people bemoan the takeover at the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall, where they pray for the restoration of the Holy Temple historically at that site.

The Western Wall/Wailing Wall

Preparations are underway for rebuilding the Temple (Ben-Yechiel, 2008; Mountain, 2008). Sacred relics, including the menorah, were taken from the original Temple and carried to Rome in 70 CE during the reign of Titus, and they remain there at the Vatican (Berkowitz, 2017). Relations now between the Vatican and the Jewish state favor the potential repatriation of these precious artifacts to Israel (Moskoff, 2022). The Dome of the Rock remains a source of tensions and conflicts between Jews and Muslims (Staff & Magid, 2023).

The Third Temple and related ceremonies are planned for the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem as described in the book of Numbers.

This is a requirement of the law that the Lord has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without defect or blemish and that has never been under a yoke. Give it to Eleazar the priest; it is to be taken outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence. Then Eleazar the priest is to take some of its blood on his finger and sprinkle it seven times toward the front of the Tent of Meeting. While he watches, the heifer is to be burned –its hide, flesh, blood and offal. (Numbers 19:2-5)

Orthodox Jews are preparing for this event with the acquisition of red heifers and the purification of priests for this coming ritual (JNS, 2023; Mitchell, 2023). Five red heifers donated by Christians arrived in Israel flown in from the U.S. on September 15, 2022 (Jansezian, 2022; Jones, 2022). They are being watched and scrutinized carefully. The ceremony is expected to occur around Passover, 2024. The priests are identified and trained, and Third Temple construction is being planned. It is to be located on the Mount of Olives from where the Dome of the Rock (Holy Temple) can be viewed (Lasher, 2023; Schneider, 2023). Special garments and vessels have been made. The process is meticulously overseen by the Temple Institute.

Five red heifers arrived in Israel on Sept. 15, 2022. Photo: Boneh Israel

See this video about the plans for the red heifer and the Third Temple (Mitchell, 2023). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euwx-g1Cx3s

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The Cloud Return

Music: Leighton Kennedy – Tenor Saxophone “We Shall Behold Him” composed by Dottie Rambo

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Updated 8/25/2024

Do the Math: Evidence for Belief

What are the odds?

End Time Prophecies

Intra-Family Violence

Violence

Wars

Earthquakes

Famines

Disease

Fires

Rising Sea Levels

Global Sea Level Since 1880

Corruption

The Final Battleground

What’s next?

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem Michael Freeman—Digital Vision/Getty Images

The Western Wall/Wailing Wall

COVID-19 Impacts

References

Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem Michael Freeman—Digital Vision/Getty Images

The Western Wall/Wailing Wall

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