Luke 21:11: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Luke 21:25: And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

What of the above have we not witnessed, many of these events having played prominent roles in the world around us of late? Arguably, none.

As I have highlighted above, I'm going to be addressing the topics of earthquakes and roaring seas in today's commentary but I want to briefly address two other issues presented in the Scriptures above: Famines and pesti

In a recent commentary, I drew everyone's attention to what was being referred to as a "silent famine" sweeping the globe. Less than a week later, the topic isn't nearly as silent as it was before.

Since writing the original commentary, I've noticed numerous headlines appearing in the news of our world today on this topic, all of them pointing to a potential crisis in the making. As noted in the Scripture above, this developing trend is relevant to the lateness of the hour we're presently living in - another reason for us to remain vigilant in our watch for the return of Jesus Christ.

• EU aid chief says rising food prices risk African 'humanitarian tsunami'
• Soaring food costs threaten world's political stability: UN official
• Soaring food costs risk 'starvation and unrest'
• Food Costs Rising Fastest in 17 Years, Squeezing Poor Families

On the topic of pestilences, which are referred to as an end times sign as shown above, the World Health Organization has been fearful of a flu pandemic being triggered by bird flu becoming transmissible from human to human for years.

On numerous occasions I've documented that such an event could, unless swiftly contained, result in the deaths of millions of people globally. Don't look now but our worst fears could be on the verge of becoming a reality!

Both the Times Online and AFP have reported it is considered likely that a father in China was infected by the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu by his dying son recently. If true, this could be an indication that bird flu could be on the verge of becoming a killer flu. China has since denied the reports are accurate but concerns are still elevated that we may be nearing the threshold of a global pandemic.
While China is downplaying the incident now, the Times Online article certainly seemed positive it had solid evidence of a human-to-human infection of H5N1, reporting in part (emphasis added mine):
Alarm about a flu pandemic has been restarted by clear evidence that bird flu, which is rife in the Far East, can be transmitted person to person.

This could be one of the first steps in the evolution of the H5N1 strain of avian flu into a deadly pandemic strain that could infect hundreds of millions of people.
And...
Samples of H5N1 virus taken from the father and son were genetically identical, save for one small change. Flu virus mutates rapidly, so the fact that these two samples were so nearly identical is strong evidence of direct infection from son to father.
Time will tell if bird flu is becoming a death-dealing monster of a pestilence before our very eyes but even concerns of this magnitude, in my opinion, are indicative of what Bible prophecy tells us will be taking place in the last days! These red flags remind us that a deadly pestilence wreaking havoc could explode onto the front page of every newspaper around the world at the drop of a hat!

Swarms --- of earthquakes?

Time is reporting the following, in part:
Scientists listening to underwater microphones have detected an unusual swarm of earthquakes off central Oregon, something that often happens before a volcanic eruption — except there are no volcanoes in the area.

There have been, according to the story, over 600 quakes in the last thirteen days in a basin 150 miles southwest of Newport, Oregon! The story indicates that scientists monitoring the activity are saying the sounds they're picking up via hydrophones are unlike anything they've heard in 17 years of listening!

While no one seems to be panicking, this is not your run-of-the mill geological event as the story indicates. Frightening to me is this mysterious activity is taking place as the United States, as a member of the international Quartet alongside Russia, the United Nations, and the European Union continues trying to force the international community's will on Israel concerning the creation of a Palestinian state on Israel's covenant lands.

The Quartet is set to meet on the April 17th in Amman, Jordan and many in the West, including EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, continue to state that reaching a Palestinian-Israeli peace agreement is still possible before the end of 2008.

God's Word is crystal clear in relation to His hand of blessing being upon those who bless Israel and His hand of judgment being upon those who curse Israel.

When the United States stands alongside the world in placing Israel in greater danger by supporting a Palestinian state from which the Palestine Liberation Organization or PLO can further its openly-stated goal of driving Israel out of the mythical land of Palestine completely, that is cursing the apple of God's eye! If we are to believe Scripture, an action of this sort carries with it the promise of sorrows coming to the United States.

Over 600 earthquakes have occurred in a fashion that typically only occurs when a volcano is about to erupt but there is no volcano in the area of Oregon. At least not yet.

May God have mercy on this nation.

Stormy Seas

Along with all the above, a noted hurricane researcher is predicting that this year is going to see a "well above average" number of sea storms form during hurricane season with "a better than average chance that at least one major hurricane will hit the United States."

While it's hard to know how accurate the researcher's prediction will actually be, so much of prophetic interest is taking place right now that I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if 2008 sees "the sea and the waves roaring" in what has already been a disastrous year nationwide where flooding is concerned.

Not convinced?

Have there always been earthquakes, sea storms, conflict in the Middle East, diseases running rampant and the like? Certainly, but anyone who examines the signs of Christ's return very carefully would be hard-pressed, in my humble opinion, to even suggest that the world we're living in today isn't more like the world described in Bible prophecy than ever before, particularly because of Israel if nothing else!

In Bible prophecy, along with all the other end times signs, we're told that the city of Jerusalem is going to be a burdensome stone to the world and a cup of trembling. (Zechariah 12:2-3)

Prior to 1948, Israel wasn't around but it arrived as prophesied - a required element of Christ's return taking place.

Prior to 1967, Israel didn't have possession of Jerusalem but now it does and guess what is in the works? A plan designed to appease Israel's enemies and give them what they desperately want - to the point it has become a major stumbling block, a "burdensome stone" if you will, to peace coming to the troubled Middle East! What am I referring to? Possession of the city of Jerusalem!

According to WorldNetDaily, the United States has proposed a plan to divide Jerusalem which, among other things, calls for Israel to eventually forfeit parts of the Temple Mount, Judaism's holiest site!

In conclusion, what can I say that hasn't been made relatively clear here? Jesus Christ is coming soon which is why, in spite of the fact I could choose to do most anything with my time, I spend most of my time sounding the alert that Jesus Christ is coming soon to a world that is so wicked I can barely stand to be in it, quite frankly.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Please come quickly.