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THE "GREAT EARTHQUAKE"
OR
"[EARTH]SHAKING GREAT".
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(1) |
"And
in that the hour occurred [earth]shaking great, and the tenth [part] of the city
fell, and were killed in the [earth]shaking names of men thousands seven,
and the leftover (ones) in-fear became and they gave glory to the God of the
heaven." (Rev 11:13 Greek Interlinear Translation.) |
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(2) |
"And
occurred lightnings and voices and thunders, and [earth]shaking occurred great,
which sort not occurred from which [time] men came to be upon the earth so big
[earth]shaking thus great". (Rev 16:18 Greek T.) |
[EARTH]SHAKING.
The earth and its
inhabitants are undergoing great social upheavals. For generations Ethiopia
has been scoured by rivers, but they are now being sacrificed by the power of
God. (Isaiah 18:1 7 NEB).
Although its inhabitants have not
been subjected to an earthquake like that of Mexico City on the 20th September 1985,
neither have they given glory to Him. (11:13). So now they are being
sacrificed by drought and famine. News of the plight of each of these nations
has been earthshaking to all mankind.
"THE SECOND WOE IS PAST. LOOK!
THE THIRD WOE IS COMING QUICKLY." (11:14).
The earthquake in
Mexico City occurred to signal the spiritual fulfilment of The Christ's prophecy
to the apostle John. It signified that "in that hour" a tenth of
those called to the heavenly "City" of God had fallen victim for
acting unfaithfully in His service on earth. Seven thousand men (names and
glory) were killed by this spiritual "earthquake". (See Page
857B). The "Little Scroll" was used as
the basis for Judgement. (10:8-11). Events of the Mexico earthquake were
consistent with the earthquake in the spiritual "land" of God, for each was:
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(1) |
A great earthquake. |
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(2) |
In which a tenth of the city fell. |
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(3) |
Seven thousand
men were killed. |
More importantly, it marks the end
of the second woe, and the next event "coming quickly": The
blowing of the seventh "trumpet" heralding "the kingdom of
the world did become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will rule
as King forever and ever." (11:15). The seventh "trumpet"
has already been 'sounded' (though not as yet blown) with the
spiritual revelations of the "Little Scroll", signalling the end
of gathering persons through the "good news"*
of The Christ. (10:7). The blowing of the seventh "trumpet"
will herald the commencement of the Rule of God, which will bring about the
wrath of the nations and instigate the wrath of God upon them. (11:18).
Note: Giving
glory to God by the exercise of faith in the "good news"*
of The Christ could only have been achieved through accurate knowledge of the
Will of God, being active in His service, and by one's progressive
sanctification. It therefore required time to accomplish.
The "sounding" of the
"seventh angel" also signals "the cup of the wine of the
anger" of God upon worshippers of such false gods as the Madonna
venerated by millions of idol worshippers in Mexico, and all other idol
worshippers ruining life on earth. (16:19 Greek T.) (See Page
19/8/85). But will those who remain over become
frightened and give glory to the God of heaven? Perhaps further calamities will
be necessary. But giving glory to God through fear of calamity is not as valued
as giving glory to Him by faith. The impending desolation of Egypt will be an
even greater social upheaval. The "great city" of "Babylon
the Great" of Revelation 16:19 which splits into three parts is a
symbolic expression of God used to describe:
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(1) |
The
world empire of sectarian religions. (18:1-4). |
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(2) |
The
commercial trading nations of the world. (18:15-17). |
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(3) |
Iraq,
the modern-day fulfilment of ancient Babylon. |
EARTHQUAKE:
Volcanic convulsion of earth's surface; fig. social or other
upheaval.
26/9/85.
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