What Did Jesus Christ Have to Say About Pestilence? (Ep. 5)

Solomon's Porch Week 5

What Did Jesus Christ Have to Say About Pestilence?

1. Jesus Himself refers to a form of pestilence, which is a deadly infectious disease, only twice Matthew 24:7 - For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Luke 21:11 - And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.


Matthew 24: These are the words of Jesus Himself as He details 24 signs of the End Times. We will look at 4 signs only:

1) Matthew 24:6 Wars and rumors of wars. According to Wikipedia, there are 17 conflicts in our world today of major proportions.

2) Matthew 24:7 Famines. Today, the world stands on the brink of unprecedented famine - Oxfam International. 

3) Matthew 24:7 Earthquakes. The national Earthquake Society locates approximately 20,000 quakes per year. We, of course, only hear of the major ones.

4) Matthew 24:7 Pestilence. The word pestilence is mentioned 46 times in the Old Testament, two times in the New Testament. 

The word “plague” is used over 100 times in the Old Testament, and 14 times in the New Testament. The basic meaning of the word plague is very similar to the meaning of pestilence. The word plague in the Old Testament means infliction/stricken/a sure wound. In the New Testament, it means calamity/wound. 

“In the Bible, God will repeatedly shake individuals and nations with pestilence or plague so that they will wake up from their spiritual slumber” – Joel Rosenberg

Now back to Matthew 24:6-8. Jesus said even though we’re experiencing these signs not to be troubled (which means “do not be frightened”). Why does He say this? Because these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet (which means the final result – to be set out at a definite point). Jesus also says that this is the beginning which means commencement of sorrows (the word sorrows means birth pains). Only Father God knows the exact time of the end (Matthew 24:36-37). But we are also told in Matthew 24:37-44 that the end will come when we are living in days like Noah which is certainly today.

The Book of Revelations reveals that there are 21 Plagues Coming.

These are known as:

1. Seven Seals
2. Seven Trumpets
3. Seven Bowls

A look at the last 7 Plagues in Revelations 16. These 7 plagues were announced by 7 angels as the final 7 judgments that completes the wrath of God upon a sinful world. 

A Brief Look at the 7 Last Plagues:

1. Revelations 16:2 – Open, painful sores, just like what happened with Pharaoh and Moses (Exodus 9:8-12).

2. Revelations 16:3 – The Sea will become blood and all life in the sea will die, again like Pharaoh and Moses (Exodus 7:14-25). 

3. Revelations 16:4-7 – Fresh water will be turned to blood, again like Pharaoh and Moses (Exodus 7:24-25).

4. Revelations 16:8-9 – The sun will become so hot it will scorch mankind like fire and still mankind will not repent (Suntan lotion will not help here). 

5. Revelations 16:10-11 – Total darkness, again like Pharaoh and Moses (Exodus 10:21-29). 

6. Revelations 16:12-16 – The river Euphrates will dry up. This river is 1,740 miles or 2,800 kilometres long and it flows from Turkey to Syria to the Persian Gulf. When this river dries up, it will permit the travel for the battle of Armageddon. This is in the area of Megiddo which is 18 miles southeast of the modern city of Haifa. 

7. Revelations 16:17-21 – A great earthquake and hailstorm. This earthquake is prophesied in Zechariah 14 and no doubt will be the most powerful earthquake the world has ever seen. The hailstorms will be approximately 100 pounds each. 

The Bible gives major signs of end times by giving 49 New Testament verses detailing end times:

1. Words of Jesus himself in Matthew 24.

2. Apostle Paul gives 18 signs of the end times in 2nd Timothy 3:1-5 where he says perilous (stressful) times will come.

3. Very important: The Lord could not return until Israel was restored as a nation. This event took place in one day on may 14th 1948 (Isaiah 66:7-8). 

Some Facts to Consider

1. Amazon’s bible documentary revealed that geologists have discovered a geometric fault line running east to west right through the Mount of Olives.

Acts 1: The Mount of Olives is where Jesus ascended to Heaven. Zechariah 14 prophesied that when He returns His feet will touch the Mount of Olives and it will split in two. 

Conclusion
 God loves all of us but cannot tolerate sin, and I believe He is returning soon (1st Corinthians 15:51-58, 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18). Scripture says the return of Christ is a mystery (secret) to the world. By the way, there are 14 mysteries or secrets in the New Testament. 

I believe that God is a God of love, mercy and compassion and is most anxious for anyone to come to Him. 

Consider this: Dr. Mike Evans, an author and founder of the Jerusalem prayer team, said that David Wilkinson shared a prophecy with him during a meeting in 1986. 

David Wilkinson’s prophecy:
“I see a plague coming on the world, and the bars, churches and government will be shut down. The plague will hit New York City and shake it like it has never been shaken. The plague is going to force prayer-less believers into radical prayer and into their bibles, and repentance will be the cry from the man of God in the pulpit. Out of this will come a third GREAT Awakening that will sweep America and the world.
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God did not promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain. But he did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. 

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it: 

The essence of life.


~ Barry ~