Breathingbook

Hi. Greetings! I just wanted to cover something Brian Williams reported on NBC Nightly News last night. 

Speaking of the 8.8 Chile Earthquake on Feb. 27, 2010, Williams said, “…it moved so much mass on the planet that government scientists estimate it moved the earth off it axis by about three inches and as a result shortened the day by a few millionths of a second.”

I knew the 2004 9.1 earthquake that hit Indonesia had also shortened the day, so I began looking around for more information and found it on www.nydailynews.com  article written by Michael Sheridan entitled, Chilean earthquake may have shortened earth day by microsecond: NASA. Here’s a short excerpt:  

The Chile quake may have moved the Earth’s axis by about 3 inches, (NASA scientist Richard) Gross said.
The quake also shortened the day by 1.26 microseconds, the scientist determined, using a complex model he and others developed.
The Earth’s rotation was likely affected by the shift in the planet’s mass, which could cause it to spin faster.
Scientists believe other quakes, such as the 2004 9.1-magnitude earthquake in Sumatra (Indonesia), have also decreased the Earth’s day. That quake is believed to have shortened it by 6.8 microseconds, and altered the axis by nearly 7 inches.

I have not seen any reports about the Earthquake in Haiti’s effect on the spin or the axis of the earth, but I do know that together the Indonesia and Chile Earthquakes equate to…

the days being shortened by 8.06 microseconds and the axis of the earth altered by nearly 10 inches.

This most certainly brings Mat 24:22 to remembrance:

Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

This scripture can be looked at in at least three different ways:

One, the Lord will actually shorten the length of a day. The day will be longer and the night longer. However, it’s unlikely this is what this means since it is for the sake of the elect the days are shortened and whether or not it is day or night, tribulation or persecution does not cease simply because the sun when down. On the contrary, evil often does much of its work under the concealment of darkness.

Two, the Lord will shorten the day and the night by increasing the speed of the earth’s rotation. This results both in time moving faster and shortens the day and night, proportionately. This is very interesting because this is exactly what’s scientifically happened from these earthquakes.

Now the Apostle Peter tells us in 2 Pet 3:8 that one day to the Lord is like a thousand to mankind.

2 Pet 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

And three, since the Lord is Sovereign and does what He pleases for whatever reasons He chooses – always rightly for He is good, Holy and true – that He will somehow shorten the expected interpretation of the days of the Tribulation period.

No matter what anyone tells you, no one knows how long the Tribulation period will be and any estimations as to what the correct interpretation of the number of days given in Daniel and the book of Revelation are pure conjecture.

My opinion of this is both the second and third is most likely. Two, because it is evident the days are being shortened and time sped up, and three, because since human nature likes to gamble on how much sin it can get away with before getting penalized, it’s unlikely the Lord would give any sort of exact timetable to those who might try to use such time estimates to their advantage.

The bottom line is no one really knows when the Lord Jesus will return – only the Father knows.

Mat 24:32-36 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Brethren, my prayer is that believers everywhere be ready and prepared so that Jesus Christ may work through us. Behold, there were ten virgins… Five were prepared and five were not. The five that were not prepared were not bad, they were virgins after all. They simply did not have enough oil to last throughout the time of waiting for the Lord to come.

Mat 25:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

A prayer for Haiti and Chili: Dear Haitians and Chileans, may God strengthen you, provide for you, encourage and comfort you. May those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ be drawn to Him in gentleness. Our prayers are with you. Be strong, take courage and hold on to your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is not slack concerning His promises. Though you and many others are going through enduring tribulation now, know the Lord Jesus loves you, has a plan for you, will help you if you call out to Him, and has an eternal home for you in His Kingdom.

God bless you all.

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