Matthew 24:7-8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. ( 8 ) All these are the beginning of sorrows.
I wanted to share a few insights that, to me, point toward the end times. I actually keep an app on my phone that alerts me whenever an earthquake hits. Why? Because it was a message about the Rapture and the last days that first led me to the Lord. Ever since that moment, I’ve been fascinated by biblical prophecy—so, let’s dive in.
Jesus identified increasing earthquakes as a sign of the last days, calling them the ‘beginning of sorrows’ (verse 7). Because the New Testament was originally written in Greek—a language far more descriptive than English—there is a wealth of meaning in that specific phrase that we can uncover by looking at the original vocabulary. For example, the word “sorrows” in verse 8 according to the Greek is:
ōdin
o-deen’
Akin to G3601; a pang or throe, especially of childbirth: – pain, sorrow, travail.STRONG’S CONCORDANCE
That Greek word tells us that when we see these increased famines, pestilences and earthquakes, it will be like having birth pains. Review the chart above. We can truly see these “birth pains” in today’s picture of earthquakes through 2015. Not seen on this chart, but over 5 million earthquakes occurred from 2015 to 2025 alone!
The USGS states that there were three major earthquakes (greater than 6.0) in 1900. One hundred years later, in 2000, USGS recorded 160. This is more than 150 major quakes than in 1900. Between 1900 to 1918, USGS recorded 147 major quakes. This is 13 less jolts than the 160 recorded in 2000. Between 2000 to 2018, the USGS has already recorded 2,911 major quakes so far. This is an incredible 2,764 more tremors than between 1900 to 1918. Between 1900 to 1918, the yearly average number of major quakes was 12. Since 2000, this number has risen to 243/year.
While we’ve focused on earthquakes, the other two signs in this verse show the same alarming increase. To the world, this is frightening—but to the believer, it’s a sign that our redemption is near. We live in a truly unique time in history where we may experience the Rapture instead of the grave. Can you grasp how amazing that is? The gift of entering God’s presence without ever seeing death is an overwhelming joy!
A loving God provides prophecy to encourage His children, not to leave them in fear or discouragement. However, for those who don’t yet know Him, these signs should serve as a serious wake-up call. Here in 2026, the frequency of earthquakes and volcanic activity is staggering. We are seeing unprecedented storms, with places in Australia and Africa receiving a year’s worth of rain in a single day. While the world labels this ‘global warming,’ science shows that the Earth naturally cycles through warming and cooling periods. Often, these narratives are used to push an agenda toward a one-world government and church system. It’s telling how many churches now prioritize environmentalism over the Gospel—it’s a distraction designed to keep people from seeking the Lord.
Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
The natural heart of man rarely seeks God; it prefers the path of least resistance. We see this today in the worldwide rise of antisemitism, a movement far more widespread than even in the days of Nazi Germany. This global shift is a clear indicator that we are approaching the Tribulation. The Bible tells us that nations will eventually align against Israel, paving the way for the Antichrist to broker the peace treaty of $Daniel\ 9:27$. Make no mistake: these global movements are fueled by hearts that have rejected the Lord.
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Does the proximity of these events excite you? For me, it is a source of incredible hope! However, if you haven’t yet placed your trust in Christ, I know this perspective feels very different. Friend, it is no coincidence that you are reading this right now; God has placed you here ‘for such a time as this’ so that you might find security in Him. I invite you to click the link below to learn how You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
