“There will be earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:7)
Onwards the first occurrence time up to this generation, earthquake has reached up to the scale of 7.2 and more in the last ten years. However, from 1900 E.C., its weight, amount and the damage it has on humanity, wealth and development has increased. The years from 1900 E.C. and 1949 E.C. the last ten years, the occurrence of earthquakes has become three and more. In the 19905’s has increased rapidly, and have reached up to nine heavy earthquakes. In the 1970’s, 125 incidents have occurred. (Grant Jeffery, The signature of God, Wheaton, I11: Tyndale publishing, 1996, 194). Identifying this situation, we can realize that the heavy earthquakes will shatter the earth.
The earthquakes, soil melting landslide, breaking of the earth, avalanche of earth, wild fire and Tsunami, are signs of the earthquakes to mentioned. More than the earthquake occurring suddenly and unexpectedly, the humane and materialistic damage it causes is high. And the increment of its damage when is occurs at a place crowded neighbor is parallel. Although scientists have foretold and presented their scientific explanation about these natural incidents, as it is one of the signs of end of time, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has said, “for nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.” (Matthew 24:7)
Our country Ethiopia has encountered earthquake in different places on this new year, though not even a word of it was heard previously. We have been told earthquake is the disclosure of God’s wrath. Saint John the Apostle in his revelation book has explained it saying, “Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were noises and thundering and lightning; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.” (Revelation 16:17-18, 11:13)
Patristic Forefathers who comprehended the “Book of Revelation”, teach us that one of the plagues sent to punish those who commit treason and refuse to repent, is earthquake. As the false messiah and leader vanishes, so does those ppeople and groups who follow the same way to clear his path; as places, cities and countries hit by earthquake totally be destroyed, so does the false messiah’s success and pupil’s, height and greatness. From what we observe, in this generation, the world’s countries will be overthrown; nothing will be tranquil; they will shake; their fall is not to back up. At the end of time, those who defy and manipulate others to betray God, will rise and create a system devoid of religion and moral ethics, followed by pupil’s bodily desire. This devious worldly system’s disorder and disrupt, will be revealed by this plague. Many of us are callous, cynics who defy God’s words, sinful and traitors.
In this generation, those of us who say “why is God’s wrath on us though He is merciful,” have increased; the treason we are committing, the rivalry and poison we spread amongst people for tribal conflicts, our impeachment and mistreatment of the poor, the bribery and injustice compelled, our infidelity, the homosexuality, the height of our resentment and contempt of our personhood, the bloodshed for our worldly desire and alike actions, not only anger God but also ourselves.
Why does court charges and hearings increase? Why has the feud we commit augmented? Why has our anger and sorrow increased due to the social problem we are told? Doesn’t it not show that our own bad deed makes us angry? Even earth, disgraced by our evil work, has abscond, slide and quaked. We then shall realize and say “all this ciaos has resulted from our sin and bad deed for we have disappointed our Lord.” Yet, instead of repenting, we make accuse for laziness and fault saying, “God is tyrannical” and even lay out revolt and scientific hypothesis alike “these kinds of natural incidents occur due to the push of rocks.”
Christianity though does not conflict with the scientific view; still putting aside its explanation, it teaches us to repent. God says like this; “I listened and heard, But they do not speak aright. No man repented of his wickedness, Saying, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone turned to his own course.” (Jeremiah 8:6)
Therefore, leaving aside the insult “God is tyrannical,” and the scientific hypothesis laid out in front, and repent! We shall have hope in repentance. We will be able to pass all the petrifying and hardships if we are to repent and live under the shadow of God. Those who rely on Him, are not frightened of the land slide, Tsunami and as such. Prophet David said, “Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
Let us seize to fornicate; do evil deed; commit mean trick and scam shall not be in us. Bribery and racism shall depart us; the sowing strife amongst people shall be not heard of us!
May God’s mercy and Holy Mother’s Saint Mary Intercession!