Revelation 6:12
And I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake...
Let me begin this post by stating that I am not suggesting that we are at this hour seeing the fulfillment of the sixth seal described in the above verse from Revelation. However, I would like to look at this sign described by the apostle John while exiled to the Isle of Patmos, as a tool to understand the earthquake that this week shook Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, and virtually the entire Eastern Seaboard.
John begins the book of Revelation by declaring that it is a book that reveals (hence the name Revelation) spiritual truth through signs and symbolic language.
Revelation 1:1
The Revelation of Yahshua Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must shortly take place; and He sent and signified it by His angel to His bond-servant John.
The Greek word from which the English “signified” (to show forth through signs) is translated, is “semaino.” John is declaring from the opening words of this book that what is communicated is in the form of symbolic speech and parables. It is not to be understood in a strict literal sense. Thus, when we read about earthquakes in the book of Revelation, we must look for the divine meaning being communicated through the form of parables.
Bible expositors from the very early days of the church understood earthquakes to symbolize political upheaval and great commotions in the earth. Bible commentaries from earlier generations bring this out. Following are three excerpts taken from different commentaries on Revelation 6:12.
There was a great earthquake. This may be taken in a political sense...
(Source: Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible)
An earthquake, if there were no other circumstances limiting and explaining the symbol, would merely denote great agitation and commotion - as if states and empires were tumbling to ruin.
[Source: Barnes Notes on Revelation 6:12]
The sixth sign, a narration, has two parts: the sign and the event. The sign is that the earth, heaven, and the things that are in them, for the horror of the sins of the world after those most heavy warnings from God, and complaints of the saints shall be shaken most severely, trembling in horrible manner, and losing their light, in this verse: things falling from heaven...
(Source: Geneva Notes)
Yahweh continues to speak through parables today. Christ declared that His disciples could know when the end of the age was at hand by observing the signs both in the heavens and on the earth.
Luke 21:25-26
"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars and upon the earth, dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world...”
God has been providing many signs of the hour we are now entering and the things that must come to pass. I have written much in this blog about the recent tremendous earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand. Judgment must begin at the house of God, yet this judgment will not end there. The nations of the earth will be judged. America, as the great power of this present world system, having a greater military presence in the world than the next several largest nations put together, and exerting an inordinate influence over world events, being also the seat of restored Babylon - the United Nations, must experience judgment.
There is a pattern being observed among the world’s major earthquakes at this time. In New Zealand, the immediate results of the great shaking there were observed first in the damage to the city’s great cathedrals. This was particularly true during the first large earthquake that occurred September of last year. Church spires were toppled, leaning, or greatly damaged. The effect was immediately seen, and some of the first reporting on the quake focused on images of the damage to the great cathedrals.
Christchurch Cathedral after Earthquake
Christchurch Cathedral after Earthquake
The earliest reporting on damage in this symbolically named city focused predominantly upon damage to the grand church buildings. We see the same pattern fulfilled in the earthquake that shook Washington D.C. this week. The very first reports of damage to appear in the news were regarding the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.. This is the sixth largest cathedral in the world, and the pinnacles atop its central spire are the highest point in the nation’s capitol. Although the Washington Monument is taller from base to top, the National Cathedral sits upon a hill causing its spire to rise above everything else.
Those things that are high and lofty on the earth signify pride throughout the pages of Scripture. Yahweh has testified that He will abase the proud. In the earthquake that occurred Tuesday August 23rd, God has given a testimony of where this abasement will begin. Judgment must begin at the house of God.
I Peter 4:17-19
For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
Washington National Cathedral - Damaged Pinnacles
You can observe in the above photograph that three of the four pinnacles atop the highest point of the National Cathedral were broken by the earthquake. Atop each one sat an image of a cross, and three of the crosses fell to the ground.
The earthquake that shook Washington D.C. had an especial focus upon the cross. Consider the very unusual, and significant details that are brought out in the following news article taken from the American Broadcasting Corporation’s News website.
ABC News
By KEVIN DOLAK and JESSICA HOPPER
Aug. 24, 2011
The strongest earthquake to hit the East Coast of the U.S. in seven decades damaged landmark buildings in the Washington, D.C. area, while rattling the nerves of tens of millions, just three weeks ahead of the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks...
The National Park Service discovered cracking in the stones at the top of the Washington Monument, which will be closed indefinitely, according to the Associated Press. While inspecting it via helicopter the NPS noticed a crack in what they refer to as the paramedian – at the very top of the triangle.
At the historic National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. damage has been confirmed to three of four pinnacles atop the tower, while reports indicated cracks appeared in the flying buttresses around the east end of the cathedral.
Experts are working to assess the building damage, both structurally and aesthetically, according to a statement on the monument's official website.
Elsewhere in the capital, the largest metropolitan area close to the quake's epicenter, the Cross family from Michigan was at the top of the Washington Monument when the quake struck. They said that they felt the 555 foot monument sway nearly a foot, and said they felt pieces of the monument falling on them...
One person that did not feel any vibrations at all was President Obama, who is currently vacationing with his family in Martha's Vineyard, Mass. White House Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest today confirmed that Obama felt nothing as the quake rattled half the country.
[Source: http://abcnews.go.com/US/earthquake-aftermath-national-monuments-damaged/story?id=14368908]
I feel confident in stating that a message Yahweh is bringing forth from this sign on the earth, is that it is time for Christ’s body to cast down the image of the cross that has come to be no more than a decoration, and an embellishment to the church. It is time for all true disciples of Yahshua the Messiah to take up THEIR CROSS and follow Him.
Image Posted Immediately After Quake of Someone Taking Up a Piece of the Cross that Fell From Cathedral
Another salient testimony to come from the details in the article above, is that an hour is at hand when the government of the United States will begin to manifest great antipathy toward true Christians who are bearing their cross as they follow Christ. This is symbolized in parts of the Washington Monument falling upon the Cross family.
When I read the comments about President Obama being unmoved, feeling nothing, during this quake, I knew there was a parable there as well. Randy Simmons and I both reside in Georgia, and we both felt the shaking from this earthquake. In considering Obama’s lack of sensitivity, my immediate thought was of Nero who is said to have played the fiddle while Rome burned. An interesting note is that the original plot of land on which Washington D.C. was built was called “Rome.” I learned this many years ago reading an excerpt from Tupper Saussy’s book Rulers of Evil. In a parallel to Nero, we have Barack Obama playing golf while the nation’s capitol is being shaken, and he feels nothing.
A study of the burning of Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero will lead one to discover that many historians report that Nero ordered the city of Rome to be set on fire as the city was in decay, and he wanted to build a new Rome. Nero blamed the Christians for setting the city on fire, and a great persecution of the disciple’s of Christ ensued.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Fire_of_Rome
It is not hard to see parallels to this present day. America is presided over by a President who is set upon a course to deliberately destroy the nation in order that it might be rebuilt according to a new pattern. The President, and those in league with him, are “unmoved,” feeling not a thing, as they observe the destruction of the nation. As the new order arises, Christians will become the target of the government’s wrath, serving as scapegoats to divert attention away from the true culprits. Yet, Yahweh will use all of these things to bring forth a purified people. Christ’s disciples must take up their crosses and follow Him. Christ was crucified at the hands of both the religious and political rulers of the age, and so too will Christians be persecuted by both the Christian Religious System and the government.
I would point out another, apparently related, testimony that occurred the same day. Earlier in the morning in which Washington D.C. was shaken by the earthquake, there was a 5.3 magnitude quake in Colorado. This quake occurred in Las Animas County, the nearest town being Trinidad. These names bear great interest in studying them.
Las Animas County takes its name from the Mexican Spanish name of the Purgatoire River, originally called El Río de las Ánimas Perdidas en Purgatorio, which means "River of the Lost Souls in Purgatory..." The county seat is Trinidad.
[Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Animas_County]
The word “animas” is Spanish for soul, as Trinidad is translated into English as Trinity. This shaking occurred in a place with a very unusual name derived from the phrase “River of the Lost Souls in Purgatory.” The word “purgatory” is defined as “a condition or place in which the souls of those dying penitent are purified.” Surely, the Father is testifying that a great many Christians in this nation would suffer great loss if they were to perish today. The majority of American believers have not been cleansed from their sins, being involved in the same carnal pursuits as the rest of this very corrupt society.
Yahweh, to prevent a chosen remnant of His people from experiencing great loss in the age to come, must lead them through fiery trials that will serve to purge them from the stains of this world. The result of Yahweh’s people living separated and holy lives has always been that the world system will persecute them. As long as the church walks with the world, there is peace, but let the saints become salt and light, and the darkness will respond with great violence.
Before closing this post, I would share another affirming testimony that occurred the same day as the earthquakes. A very poignant sign was observed in the stock market. It was fitting that this sign appear there, for the love of money is a root of much evil, and the present rulers of this world system are those who hold the most money. The day of the earthquakes, the New York Stock Exchange rose significantly. Note the highlighted details.
updated 8/23/2011 5:23:50 PM ET
NEW YORK — Stocks posted their biggest jump in nearly two weeks on Tuesday. Investors picked up cheaply priced stocks after fears that the U.S. would slip into a recession pounded the market over the last month.
The Dow jumped 322 points, its best day since Aug. 11, when it gained 423. The Dow dipped about 60 points shortly after an earthquake hit the East Coast at 1:51 p.m., but recovered within 20 minutes and soared even higher in the afternoon...
[Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44239287/ns/business/#.TlRXUaj-KSo]
Those who have been readers of this post for some time may recognize the significance of the number 322. It is an occult number related specifically to the rulers of the New World Order. Both Presidents Bush were members of the Skull and Bones club at Yale University. Following is the symbol for Skull and Bones.
I have shared before that the Georgia Guidestones, and Illuminati manifesto equivalent to their “ten commandments,” was dedicated on March 22nd, which is the date 3-22. See article below:
http://parablesblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/deep-things-of-satan.html
It was more recently observed that the Healthcare Reform Bill that is a deceptive initiative to bring every citizen of the nation under the firm control of the government, was passed on March 22nd, Greenwich Mean Time.
Consider now the parable to be found in the fact that as the church and nation are being shaken, being under the judgment of Yahweh, there is a rise of 322 points in the Stock Market. This signifies the arising of the masters of a new world order even as the old order is being brought down to the ground.
People of God, an hour of great shaking is at hand, at the very door. Already, I am corresponding with a number of saints whose lives are being altered greatly. Many are being led to steps of obedience, or abandonment to Christ, that are leading them into trials, testings, and conflicts. Such things are absolutely necessary, and cannot be avoided. All who would stand with Christ as overcomers on Mount Zion must pass through the fires of affliction.
Consider once more the words of the apostle Peter.
I Peter 4:17-19
For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days.
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
Note that Trinidad, CO (population ~9,000) is known as the "Sex Change Capital of the U.S." Roughly 300 individuals (30% of the annual national total) pay huge sums of money to doctors to mutilate that which God knit together, 'fearfully and wonderfully' in the womb, in His image, male and female. The doctors' oath to "do no harm" seems to matter little. It is both sad and obscene.
ReplyDeleteI think we need to look at what the Word says regarding the "great earthquake" and not man's interpretation or notes. The 6th seal is straight forward. As faithful followers, we need to prepare our minds for this worldly quake, that has never been since the beginning. It won't just be in one area or a few cities, the quake will be world wide. The heavens will be shaken as stated through many of the prophets. There's a tribulation before that earthquake which will also be worldly. For example, a collapse, or grid failure who knows, but it too, will have a major effect on the world, scriptures make that very clear. I think Christians need to stop watering down the 6th Seal, and prepare themselves, not only mentally and physically, but spiritually as well. Many will not be prepared for this event, which will occur after the 1st tribulation as scriptures make it very clear. Mark 13; Matthew 24:15-31. Satan wants us to water this event down, so it's imperative that we read and study with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, not man's.
ReplyDeleteHello Nicole (In the Spirit Ministries).
ReplyDeletePlease refer again to the opening paragraph of this post. It was stated:
"Let me begin this post by stating that I am not suggesting that we are at this hour seeing the fulfillment of the sixth seal described in the above verse from Revelation. However, I would like to look at this sign described by the apostle John while exiled to the Isle of Patmos, as a tool to understand the earthquake that this week shook Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, and virtually the entire Eastern Seaboard."
The reference to the great earthquake described by John was referenced to help the saints who read this blog understand the earthquake described in this post. It was NOT suggested that they were the same thing.
May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days.