Q: In Africa near Ethiopia, the news was saying that there is going to be a new ocean as the land is splitting, therefore Africa will be separated. (there is documentation about this on the internet). Is this part of the end times stuff or do you think it is related to anything recorded in the Bible. It does not seem to be a big event to the world, but I find it quite interesting from a Christian point of view.
A: Thanks for your question. According to an article from UPI, dated June 29, 2010, "A new ocean is being born in Africa that will eventually split the continent in two, British researchers say. Scientists at Britain's Royal Society say a 40-mile crack in the Earth opened in Ethiopia in 2005 and has been growing ever since..." While this is a very interesting development, we have no way of telling if this is an "event" associated with the End Times developments. However, in many ways, everything that is presently going on in the world can be considered part of the End Times, including you asking this question. For centuries dating back to the time just after Jesus ascended back into the Heavens, it has been the "End Times" or "Last Days" as the Bible refers to it. And the Bible even mentions the creation itself as showing signs of the imminent return of Jesus Christ. "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time (Romans 8:22)."
The crack opening up in Africa, regardless of whether it is a specific indication of the Last Days, is definitely one more sign of the "groaning" of a sin cursed world. These signs are all around us. Besides the crack in Africa, their is the eruption of the Iceland volcano, Eyjafjallajökull, back in April, the January earthquake in Haiti and even the current oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. All these, and many more we could name, are all part of the signs in the earth. But these are just one aspect of the signs of the Last Days. Jesus said, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains (Mark 13:8)." Besides earthquakes and natural disasters what else do you see going on in the world today? We have wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Israel under attack from many countries and we all know the problem of poverty and famine that has ravaged many countries, including Africa. Add to that the moral decline we see in the world with the acceptance of false gods and their religions, the proclamation of perversions like homosexuality and the attacks on the Christian faith and it is easy to say the Last Days are upon us.
The crack in Africa may not be a big event to the world for many reasons. The first is simply the fact that this is a big world and not every story garners the attention or interest as others. Secondly, is to realize that the world is not going to be looking at any event, large or small, as a "sign" of the Last Days. 2 Peter 3:3-4 says, "you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." To the unbelieving world an event like a second ocean opening up in Africa is just one more event in a long line of events. To them, it is not a sign of the Last Days or the return of Jesus Christ, it is just news. It will soon be forgotten and replaced once something else happens. In a sense, the world has been numbed to these things because they happen so often. Plus, to them, Christians have been proclaiming the Last Days for centuries without anything changing. So, they will not see this event as something they need to take seriously. That is why it says the return of Christ will be like "a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2)." The world will be caught off guard by the Lord's return similar to the victims of a theft.
Just the fact that you asked this question should be of encouragement to you. Jesus criticized the Pharisees and Sadducees for their lack of discernment. "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times (Matthew 16:2-3)." You are showing an insight that is to be commended. It is an indicator of your faith and desire, like mine, to see our Lord return. Whether or not the crack in Africa is a specific sign of the Last Days we do know that the Lord can return at any moment. It should encourage us to keep spreading the Gospel and to lift up your head. "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. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:25-28)." Be blessed.
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