The Final Shaking

Just why did God create an earth that is subject to seismic activity … quakes, tremors and temblors? We touched on this question in Part I. Truly, we can hardly answer this question, given that His ways are so much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). We must believe that what He created is “good” (Genesis 1:31). God uses it to communicate with mankind. The shaking of the earth reminds mankind that though he may have dominion over the earth, he is mortal (“[…] as grass” Psalm 103:15). Whatever the achievements of mankind, God is to be revered and honored.

However, mankind’s proclivity is to build better and bigger without God. What God may destroy, man will strive to repair. Even more, mankind will defiantly undertake to supersede and build better and higher. We are shown the rebellious spirit of man in the Old Testament.

For example: “[…] Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria—who say with pride and arrogance of heart, The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars” (Isaiah 9:9-10). They defy the judgments of God. Not only that, they will rebuild “better.”

Edom betrays the same spirit: “Edom may say, ‘Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins.’ But this is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the LORD’” (Malachi 1:4).

Just as God had to intervene in the days of Nimrod’s Tower of Babel, so God will intervene once again. To recall, God sought to frustrate the great technological achievements of man of that time (actually, even concerned that man might be able to do whatever he sets his mind to). Given the nature of mankind, total tyranny would result in the world.

“The LORD said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other’” (Genesis 11:6-7).

God, of course, can demolish all of the achievements and structures of mankind … including that of the modern 21^st century.

What does that have to do with earthquakes?

The Fifth and Biggest of All Time

The last earthquake prophesied to take place in the Bible will be the largest of all time. The Bible describes this event in Revelation 16:18: “Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake.”

This fifth and greatest earthquake of all time occurs as part of the seventh bowl (or vial) judgment. It is accompanied by “voices, thunderings, lightnings” and hail (the precipitation being the weight of a talent, which is the equivalent of 25.5 kilograms or 56 pounds).

It most certainly is a global earthquake, as it is said to affect the “islands.” It is the final act of God’s wrath. After this quake, Christ says that “it is done.”

This final and most catastrophic earthquake of all history is therefore a common topic of Old Testament prophets. It coincides with the end of the “day of the Lord” … the final judgment … the smashing of all the capital cities of the nations, including Babylon the Great. Moreover, it ushers in the entrance of the Son of David.

A number of prophets speak of this time. We can only reference a few.

Says Joel: “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel” (Joel 3:14-16).

Haggai also is given a vision of this time:

“And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, everyone by the sword of his brother. In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts” (Haggai 2:22-23).

This last earthquake of judgment, positioned at the very end and at the time of Armageddon, is also confirmed by Isaiah in several Scriptures:

“Therefore the LORD’s anger burns against his people; his hand is raised and he strikes them down. The mountains shake, and the dead bodies are like refuse in the streets. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. He lifts up a banner for the distant nations, he whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Here they come, swiftly and speedily!” (Isaiah 5:25-26, NIV).

Also, “[…] The floodgates of the heavens are opened, the foundations of the earth shake. The earth is broken up, the earth is split asunder, the earth is thoroughly shaken. The earth reels like a drunkard, it sways like a hut in the wind; so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion that it falls—never to rise again” (Isaiah 24:18-20).

We have hardly exhausted the Day of the Lord prophecies of the Old Testament prophets, not to mention connecting them to the judgment of Babylon the Great. See also these Scriptures: Isaiah 29:6, Haggai 2:6-7, Ezekiel 26:15, 31:16, Zechariah 2:7-9.

Thoughts to Ponder

Why are earthquakes part of the creation? It is a geophysical force not mastered by mankind. Earthquakes continue to remind humans that there are greater powers. Their earthquake proofing is insufficient.

God, contrary to being the accused Supervillain … or a toothless discipliner … also employs earthquakes to bring about His wrath upon earth. Earthquakes are among the judgments that lay low to rubble the cities and world of mankind.

Once all have repented and come to recognize the Messiah, all the rubble will be restored: “For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory” (Psalm 102:16). “Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings” (Isaiah 58:12).

Most wonderfully for Israel and the remaining Christians, following all the earthquakes during the period of wrath, one more tremor is prophesied at the end of the Tribulation period. This is a local one, occurring on the Mount of Olives.

“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south” (Zechariah 14:4).

This occurs at the time when Israel’s Messiah finally returns. As His feet touch the Mount of Olives, the hill splits in two. Water flows out of the Temple Mount, and the new Millennial period begins (Revelation 22:1).

One last shaking is prophesied … this being the 5^th and final earthquake of Revelation.

Apostle Paul puts it into context for believers. “See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain” (Hebrews 12:25-27).

We, by contrast, have received gifts from Jesus Christ that cannot be shaken. Again, quoting Apostle Paul: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire’” (Hebrews 12:28-29).

For resources on “endtime economics” and to subscribe to the free newsletter, Eternal Value Review, visit Wilfred’s website www.eternalvalue.com or contact him at: staff@eternalvalue.com

About the Author: Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. His newest book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the future.

The world today is perplexed and vexed, perhaps as never before, seen from a global perspective. There are blinking indicators of extreme fear, uncertainty, and international policy strife. Currently, the apparent complexity and unpredictability of worldwide geopolitical affairs is seen to be unfathomably extreme.

Surveys show that global economic policy uncertainty—for example, the Global Economic Policy Uncertainty Index—has soared to all-time highs. The higher the index, the greater the uncertainty. That makes for potentially volatile conditions for world economies, financial markets and global relations. The same “uncertainty” sentiment is revealed in other surveys, especially those that are concerned with global policies and geopolitical conditions.

Are these signs of the times? Are they prophetic foreshadowing? We will explore.

Growing Global Perplexity

Geopolitical risk surveys of recent years have shown large increases in anxiety for policymakers and business leaders alike. This is seen to be worrisome.

After all, this represents a reversal of the cooperative trends of the last several decades (seen in a general sense). Quoting from the most recent Global Risk Survey 2017 of the World Economic Forum: “In a worrying sign of deteriorating commitment to global cooperation, states are stepping back from mechanisms set up to underpin international security through mutual accountability and respect for common norms.”

Many nations are going it alone—narrowly pursuing their interests first. This spirit of antagonistic international affairs—of non-cooperation and self-interest—is evident even among the most prosperous nations in the world. Already the richest of nations, they want more; their super-rich citizens to heap up even more wealth.

Viewing our times, there can be little doubt: A much more volatile and precarious policy state is clouding the geopolitical climate. Crucially, political instability has increased globally. Consider that every major election over the last few years has resulted in the overthrow of a previously established political party or status quo (for example, America, France, Britain, Philippines … etc.).

A major signpost of these new times is “political populism.” This is the domain of charismatic and unpredictable demagogues and politicians. They are characterized by playing upon people’s emotions, making grandiose promises (saying the things that itching ears like to hear, 2 Timothy 4:3), and leaning toward a more authoritarian style of rule. History shows that nations become particularly vulnerable to this type of leader when economic and wealth imbalances become extreme.

The research team of the respected firm of Bridgewater Associates LLP is of the opinion that “political populism” is now the number one factor impacting future world political economies. The massive monetary injections of the world’s major central banks are now seen to be a secondary factor (which, by the way, still continues on a massive scale, seen globally).

Ominously, Bridgewater Associates also concludes that “populism” has reached levels last experienced in the 1930s. Most will know of the strife and atrocities that the world experienced in those times. Many disgruntled populations were facing economic challenges (to a degree, because of high concentration of wealth) and were vulnerable to Nazism, Fascism and general protest and backlash. This was the seedbed of the first world wars in history. Casualties numbered in the tens of millions.

Given the aggressive and sometimes menacing actions of “populist” leaders, many worry that major economic hardships and wars lie in the future. Indeed, global tensions are rising on every continent, and there are numerous potential friction points. It only requires one spark to start a fire that can then be wind-swept into a great global blaze.

History does not necessarily need to repeat itself in decades ahead. Time will tell. However, the “populist” trend is likely to continue, though not necessarily in a linear fashion. There likely will be populist advances, followed by steps backward.

Someday, according to the Bible, there will arise a great humanistic populist—the most powerful of all time.

No Answers from Modern Prophets

Why should there be such perplexity today, as we have shown? Haven’t the policymakers, political economists, foreign policy analysts and consultants been on watch? One would think that extremist and destructive “populist” policies would find little footing these days, given the great number of experts.

For example, the Economist magazine recently reported that the global management consulting business is enjoying prosperous times, booking some $350 billion in fees worldwide per annum. There are a surfeit of publications and transnational organizations that focus on international relations. In recent decades, there has been an enormous expansion of universities specializing in, or offering courses in “international relations” (also known as international studies), and setting up research chairs for professors studying in this field. This phenomenon’s mainstream origins only go back to as recent as the formation of the International Studies Association, which was in 1959.

The topic of international affairs is essentially about global political economics … in plain language, the competition between the economic interests of nations. In short, it is all about wealth and power—money, that common root that underlies so much of human affairs and greed (1 Timothy 6:10).

With so much study (and countless conferences, summits, and dialogue) in the field of international relations, surely mankind must have long ago developed brilliant solutions that would lead to a world free of “geopolitical risk.”

This is not what we observe. Quite the contrary. Nor will the world likely ever observe a period of zero political risk … at least, not until the Millennial Kingdom arrives or, at latest, the eternal state of the New Jerusalem. Why? Mainly, because the human heart is evil. Said Jeremiah, “The [human] heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

The Bible reveals additional reasons for confusion and perplexity.

The Sources of Confusion

Where do confusion and perplexity come from? Tackling this challenging topic, we can be sure of this: “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Confusion is not God’s perfect will.

Actually, disorder and confusion are signs of human corruption and godlessness. Says James: “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice (James 3:16).

Mankind, therefore, is highly vulnerable to confusion and perplexity, if not rooted in God’s truth; rather, pursuing a humanist agenda apart from God.

In fact, God deliberately puts his enemies (i.e. all those that are disobedient to Him) into confusion. Puzzlement is a tactic that overcomes enemies. For example, we read in Deuteronomy 7:23: “But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, throwing them into great confusion until they are destroyed.” Says the Psalmist: “Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city” (Psalm 55:9).

We see that a condition of confusion rendered these enemies ineffective. The last time a federation of mankind became haughty and vain, seeking to rise above God, He “confused” their language. (“[…] The LORD confusion the language of the whole world” Genesis 11:9.)

It is therefore no surprise that our godless world today should be completely confused, no matter the many consultants, policymakers, and so-called experts in international affairs.

Perversity and Perplexity Go Hand in Hand

Despite the soaring indications of geopolitical risk and uncertainty, we note an unusual companion response, which is: Rising confidence in human solutions and an unwavering confidence in Mammon.

How can this be? How can these two conditions exist at the same time, in the same medium? Can something be both hot and cold? As James questions: “Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” (James 3:11). Jesus also points to the forked conditions of blatant contradiction. “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:18).

Double-mindedness is a feat only possible with human beings.

Consider this one example of human optimism. Now, still some $10 trillion-worth of world government bond markets trade at a negative yield. In other words, the longer that you hold these bonds, the lower their value … the more interest you will pay. What this implies therefore is that investors are more certain about the future than the present. Of course, this is ludicrous.

As such, we are facing the consequences of double-minded conditions. James equates double-mindedness with instability. He says: “Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do” (James 1:8).

This is one more indication that increasing instability lies ahead for the entire world.

Thoughts to Ponder

The Bible says that there will come a time where the nations will be in anguish and perplexity. Christ said that “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea” (Luke 21:25).

This prophecy will surely unfold. However, the time is not yet. Nevertheless, we can surely identify the progress and symptoms of this condition.

We can certainly monitor global trends and strive to stay aware of new developments and their potential impact upon ourselves and our families. We may therefore be more knowledgeable. But, are we likely to escape the dangers of our times? Likely not.

What should be our response?

Christians do not need the policy prescriptions or predictions of international policy experts. We have the benefit of prophecy and knowledge of the corrupt human heart. Beyond basic Bible prophecy, we only need to know that we are in God’s hands and that He knows the future.  And if He knows the future (which He has proven beyond any doubt), then our future is secure.

The Bible reminds us: “[…] do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). The Psalmist indicates the right perspective: “My heart is set to keeping your decrees to the very end. I hate double-minded people, but I love your law. You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word” (Psalm 119:112-114).

For resources on “endtime economics” and to subscribe to the free newsletter, Eternal Value Review, visit Wilfred’s website www.eternalvalue.com or contact him at: staff@eternalvalue.com

About the Author: Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. His newest book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the future.