The previous posting showed us that though 2010 brought to the United States so-called “natural disasters” on an unheard-of scale, 2011 was worse. January was especially devastating.

In February New Zealand was hit by a massive cyclone and earthquake which scientists said came along only 1000 years. Three weeks later a 9.0 earthquake hit near the coast of Japan producing a tsunami that took thousands of lives.

In April more than 600 tornadoes ripped through the nation. The previous record for that month had been 267. Incredibly, in one 24 hour period 312 twisters destroyed and killed their way across the landscape. The worst one was 20 times the normal size in terms of land area covered. It was one mile wide and stayed on the ground for 300 miles while moving across Georgia and Alabama. During that month Texas suffered its worst drought since 1895. This caused an outbreak of wild fires resulting in the destruction of many homes, barns and businesses. While hay and wheat crops were being torched in Texas, massive flooding was destroying crops in Missouri. Southeast Missouri where I was born and raised felt the destructive force of the Mississippi River which serves as its eastern border. Massive rainfall in the north caused the Mississippi River to go over her banks, covering some of the nation’s most fertile farmland with silt which will grow nothing.

In August Hurricane Irene left 4 million people without electricity.

During 2011 a dozen billion dollar disasters ravaged the United States. This was 2 times more than the previous record set in 2008. The 2011 disaster blitz killed over 1000 Americans and caused 52 billion dollars in damages. This was more than were killed and spent in all of the 1980’s. During the 1980’s the U.S. averaged 1 billion dollar disaster per year. During the 1990’s the number was 3.8 per year. The 1210’s saw on average 4 disasters per year. In 2012 the yearly average was 7.5. Let us not forget that such devastating occurrences not only destroy lives and property, but crops as well, causing a rise in prices in earth-produced products.

On September 8, 2017 Mexico was hit with an 8.2 earthquake, killing 58 people. This was the largest earthquake ever experienced by the nation. Then there were hurricanes Harvey and Irma whose death numbers and money costs have yet to be determined. In the meantime, Los Angeles suffered its worst wild fire in the history of the city.

Now let us return to Matthew 24 where Jesus warned His disciples about the horror that would take place from that time (31 A.D.) until the time of His return to earth. Note that he said in verses 6 & 7 that these things “shall” take place in the future. Since that time, as the above postings have shown, the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” have not only been riding, but have continued to leave an ever-increasing amount of death and destruction in their wake. Now let us read what Jesus said about the so-called “acts of nature” that have taken place over the past 25 years. He ended His statement with these chilling Words found in verse 8: “THESE ARE ONLY THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS.” In other words, the Apocalypse Horses have not even lathered up. L.J.