Why Pat Robertson is Wrong About Last Days Earthquakes

Worldnetdaily.com ^ | 10/12/2005 | Gary DeMar

[SirLinksalot]

Pat Robertson's wrong

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Posted: October 12, 2005 1:00 a.m. Eastern

By Gary DeMar © 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

Pat Robertson is making predictions again. He's reading the Bible through current events rather than letting the Bible speak for itself.

In Matthew 24:7, Jesus says that "in various places there will be famines and earthquakes." He says nothing about an increase in their number or intensity. Luke writes, "There will be great earthquakes" (Luke 21:11). Jesus wasn't describing events that would precede the end of our time. Rather, He was describing signs that led up to the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 that would take place before that first-century generation passed away (Matt. 24:33–34).

Like famines (Acts 11:28), "great earthquakes" are part of the biblical historical record. Two earthquakes are mentioned in Matthew – when Jesus was crucified (27:54) and when the angel came down to roll the stone away from the tomb where Jesus was buried (28:2). This second earthquake is said to have been "severe." Acts records "a great earthquake" that shook "the foundations of the prison house" (16:26).

Secular writers describing the period support the biblical record: "And as to earthquakes, many are mentioned by writers during a period just previous to A.D. 70. There were earthquakes in Crete, Smyrna, Miletus, Chios, Samos, Laodicea, Hierapolis, Colosse, Campania, Rome, and Judea. It is interesting to note that the city of Pompeii was much damaged by an earthquake occurring on Feb. 5, A.D. 63."

The number of earthquakes that were recorded during that first-century generation is staggering given the shortness of the time period. Josephus describes an earthquake in Judea of such magnitude "that the constitution of the universe was confounded for the destruction of men," the same language that is being used to describe this most recent earthquake. He goes on to write that this earthquake was "no common" calamity, indicating that God Himself had brought it about for a special purpose.

Another commentator writes: "Perhaps no period in the world's history has ever been so marked by these convulsions as that which intervenes between the Crucifixion and the destruction of Jerusalem." Since the generation between A.D. 30 and 70 is past, there is no reason to attach prophetic significance to earthquakes in our day as a fulfillment of Matthew 24:7 or Luke 21:11. They are not signs of the nearness of Jesus' return in our generation. They were a prelude to the coming of Jesus in judgment upon Jerusalem in the generation of the apostles.

Then there's the record of recent history. On June 15, 1896, the Sanriku tsunami struck Japan without warning. A wave estimated at more than 70 feet high hit a crowd gathered to celebrate a religious festival, killing more than 26,000 people. On Nov. 1, 1755, the great Lisbon earthquake generated a wave up to 20-feet high that struck coastal Portugal, Spain and Morocco. With an estimated population of 275,000, Lisbon was, in 1755, one of the largest cities in Europe. It was one of the most destructive and deadly earthquakes in history, killing over 100,000 people. The quake was followed by a tsunami and fire, resulting in the near total destruction of Lisbon.

Today's reported earthquakes are not unique, as proven by a thorough study of the Bible and the historical record outside the Bible. The greatest student of earthquakes was a Frenchman, Count F. Montessus de Ballore. From 1885 to 1922 he devoted his time to studying and cataloging earthquakes and came to an astonishing conclusion. He cataloged 171,434 earthquakes from the earliest historic times! The manuscript is stored in the library of the Geographical Society in Paris, where it occupies 26 meters (over 84 feet) of bookshelves.

As much as we might want to believe that we are the "Rapture Generation," there is no statistical or biblical evidence to support such a contention.

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Gary DeMar is president of American Vision and the author more than 20 books. His latest book is "Myths, Lies, & Half-Truths: How Misreading the Bible Neutralizes Christians ".

[Wicket]

There are indeed so I appreciate the info. I gave the link to several of my Christian friends. I hope others from Free Republic check the link out as well.

I can definitely see some fig tree blossoming going on.

Blessings and hang in there,

[Twinkie]

Scripture states also that in the last days there will come scoffers asking where is Jesus, why hasn't he already returned? Then Scripture gives the reason why; the Lord is longsuffering, wanting as many as possible to come to salvation because when He returns this time, it is going to be with judgement.

[MozarkDawg]

You just now figured it out? I had Robertson, Swaggert, Baker, Tilton and others pegged years ago.

If you know your Bible and bible doctrine you can sit and listen to a preacher talk for 5 minutes and know if he is on the up and up or not.

You don't need to listen to any of these guys to know they are full of it. If JESUS HIMSELF does not know when the End of the World is to come, what would make anyone accept the blatherings of these yahoos?

[Ulugh Beg]

<< The fact that the Jews had their onw homeland in 1948 starkly changed scoffing at prophecy. >>


Actually -- DeMar does not scoff at prophecy -- but he does scoff at THAT claimed fulfillment of prophecy. There is a big difference between the two things.

Also -- all those who were pointing to the 1948 event were also saying that the second coming would happen within about 40 years, as that is the time period they chose to represent a "generation." THEY are the ones that clammed up about that real quick after 1988 -- not the "scoffers."


<< It is stated in the Bible that, THAT generation would see His second coming. Check out the parable of the Fig Tree. Israel is the "Fig Tree". It is defined in an earlier book in the Bible. >>


The interpretation that "THAT" generation would see the second coming is just an interpretation -- and is not supported by the text. As you showed in your quote from the text -- it says "THIS generation."

Here is your quote again:

<< Matt. 24:32-44

<< [32] Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

<< [33] So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

<< [34] Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. >>


There are several competing interpretations of "this generation." For most of Chirstian history, it was taken by most theologians to refer to the generation alive and listening to Christ at the time. That doesn't make it the correct interpretation by default -- but it does highlight the fact that your claim is based on an interpretation that is not supported from the text itself.

In addition -- just because Israel is likened to a "fig tree" is not enough to make the leap of logic to the claim that this passage is about the "rebirth" of Israel. Other things in scripture are also likened to a fig tree.

And finally -- there is no scripture that ties the "fig tree" parable to the rebirth of Israel -- not a single one. Looks to me as if Jesus is just saying that -- since we can tell summer is coming when we see the fig tree blossoming -- when "this generation" sees all the things he talked about coming to pass, then they will know that something is about to happen.

What is that something? The rapture? Not one word about that in this passage. The context -- as you provided for us -- relates this to the judgment of the nations, which just about every Bible student from all points of view see as occurring at the second coming of Christ -- not at the so-called "rapture."

Your interpretation is built up out of speculation, leaps of logic, and forcing meanings into the text that are not there.


M

[joesnuffy]

Actualy the bible does say...Heaven and Earth will pass away
but HIS Word will not...

It also says there will be a new Heaven and a new Earth..

FWIW 2U

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

**there is no scripture that ties the "fig tree" parable to the rebirth of Israel -- not a single one. Looks to me as if Jesus is just saying that -- since we can tell summer is coming when we see the fig tree blossoming -- ***

That is precisely what I have been saying in my posts, but will they listen..noOOo!

[Celtman]

The last book of the bible has an interesting history that I caught on one of the discovery channel stations ...

      Ahh, the Discovery Channel ... now there's an authoritative source of Biblical knowledge ... </sarcasm>

[JamesP81]

Unfortunately, I believe the generation that is now alive is notoriously "me-centered" (even many christians). They want everything in the Bible to center around us today.

Yes, I have noticed this too. I think that pretty much every generation since the crucifixion has thought it was the last. Even the apostles thought this.

Before I get any further into my rant, let me say that I do think the end is very, very near, relatively speaking. I think there are fewer days in front of us, than behind us.

With all that said, many of my brethren talk about the birth pangs and talk about these hurricanes and earthquakes as being part of them. They point to AIDS and say it's one of the plagues the bible talks about.

Well, maybe. I'm not sure. As bad as AIDS is, it does not hold the distinction that can be given the bubonic plague, which wiped out 1/3 of the population of Europe. There doesn't seem to be any significant increase in earthquakes. There is an increase in hurricane activity, but it is well known that this stuff comes and goes in something like 20 year cycles. One of my roommates tried to tell me it was obvious global warming was happening because we had a 68 degree high temperature on an early November day, and that that was much higher than average for my area of country. Except that when I looked up the National Weather Service averages for that day, 68 was pretty normal (in Kentucky, many years we will have what's called an Indian summer. But not every year. I've also seen it snow on Halloween here).

Let's have a short history lesson about Hitler. We know that the Anti-Christ wants to rule the world. Here we have Hitler in charge of Germany. By 1942, he's well on his way to world conquest. He's mixed up in demonic, occultic, and satanic practices. He hated jews and wanted to kill them all. He used all the old Roman symolage in his army and government (significant since the Anti-christ is supposed to come from the old Roman Empire). If I'd been a young man back then, I would've been covinced, with good basis for it, that Hitler was the Anti-Christ (and for all we know, that may have been satan's plan. Revelation does say there will be many anti-christs. I guess this one just didn't work out for the devil as well as he'd hoped).

I think Israel returning is a significant sign and fulfillment of prophecy. See my previous post on my view of the fig tree parable. But there is no indicator of how long it is from the foundation of the state of Israel to the end times. And furthermore, we can't know. Jesus himself said that no man would know the hour. In fact, Jesus also said that only the Father knew the hour.

All this speculation is interesting, but I am displeased that people get so bent out of shape over it. Pat Robertson might be right: the end may be right around the corner. Then again, he may be wrong, it may be further off than he thought. The point is this: live your life like the rapture is going to happen today. Then it doesn't matter to you when it happens (and in fact, sooner is better since it will signify the impending defeat of satan and his evil forever).

[Kokojmudd]

Would it not better for Christians to ask God not to rapture them so they can stay and minister to those "left behind?"

[Siena Dreaming]

You say:the end is very, very near, relatively speaking. I think there are fewer days in front of us, than behind us.

I'm not sure about this. Only God knows. You said it right when you said this:

And furthermore, we can't know. Jesus himself said that no man would know the hour. In fact, Jesus also said that only the Father knew the hour.

[JamesP81]

I'm not sure about this. Only God knows.

I'm not 100% sure of it either, it's merely a personal opinion of mine. I can't prove it one way or another, and it could be wrong. I should've made that more clear.

[webstersII]

"For the last 20 years I've been hearing that the end of the world is going to happen any day. "

Martin Luther believed it would happen in his lifetime, too.

[webstersII]

"Mathew 24-31 Jesus gives us signs to look for of the destruction of Jerusalem, of thy coming, and the end of the world. "

This word "world" here is more appropriately rendered "age".

[NRA2BFree]

Who is Gary DeMar??? I've never heard of him before now, but he's the one who's wrong.

[NRA2BFree]

That's pretty spooky about those volcanoes in Alaska. Glad I don't live there. I read not long ago about a massive bubble/swelling they've found in the ground in Oregon. It could be a new volcano. I think WA has a couple that are active too.

[Mr. Mojo]

WorldNetDaily thinks it's the end of the world eh?

The author's point is precisely the opposite, actually.

[SirLinksalot]

<<<<
Who is Gary DeMar??? I've never heard of him before now, but he's the one who's wrong.
>>>>

Please read post number 36 of this thread for an introduction to DeMar.