Once again I want to thank those people who study weather patterns and compile statistics then make the information available for the rest of us. The following is an example of the type of information they glean. As the reader will see, the “It’s always been this way” skeptics have some explaining to do to those of us who, by believing God’s Word, see “acts of nature” for what they are–“acts of God”–which are His “voice” of warning that the Great Tribulation and the return of Jesus Christ are just ahead. In 31 A.D. this same Jesus warned His saints of what we are seeing take place around the world today. When questioned by His apostles concerning the end of the age and His return to earth He warned about wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes. Note that He was not referring to the past, but exclusively to the future by using the word “shall”–“shall come,” “shall deceive,” “shall hear,” “shall rise” (Mat. 24:6,7). Later, when speaking to the Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos, he spoke about what has come to be known as the “four horsemen of the apocalypse” representing false religion, war, famine, disease, pestilence and death. Those horsemen began “riding” in 31 A.D. and would continue to ride until the Lord’s return. During their gallup they would produce ever-increasing deception, destruction, agony and death as the present age comes to a close. Now let us examine some of the information provided by both governmental and private organizations that will prove that we are nearing the end of the age.

FEMA–the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Authority–recently noted some interesting facts. Between 1953 and 1989 the United States experienced on average 23 “major disasters” per year. Then between 1900 and 2000 she averaged 42 such disasters per year. Then between 2000 and 2009 her average jumped to 56 per year. FEMA then noted that between 1989 and today the average has more than doubled. Anyone can see that “natural disasters” have increased substantially over the past generation. There is no reason to believe that the trend will change, especially in light of Bible Prophecy which we will examine in this series.

Other information provided by climate-studying organizations are equally as staggering. Between 2000 and 2009 some 780,000 people died from earthquakes world-wide. In 2010 an earthquake in Haiti killed tens of thousands and caused untold millions in damages. Globally, a typical year produces 16 earthquakes measuring 7.0 or higher per year. In 2010 the number was 22.

According to FEMA, in 2010 the number of “natural disasters” in the U.S. was two and one half times the historical average. During that year we averaged one natural disaster every four and one half days. Heat waves in Asia took some 17,000 lives as massive floods and mudslides killed thousands in Pakistan, Australia and Columbia. In 2010 more people died of natural disasters than in the 40 previous years combined. As a result, insurance outlays were 3 times more than in the previous year.

As disastrous as 2010 was, 2011 was worse. Devastating earthquakes hit Argentina, Pakistan, Chile and Japan, killing thousands and destroying thousands of homes and businesses. In the meantime, 700 people died in Brazilian floods and mudslides. And all this happened in the month of January. And it did not get any better with the passage of time. L.J.