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Written by Francis Frangipane
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Thursday, 17 July 2008 |
When The Earth Shakes
As
the year 2005 comes to a close, it is hard to be unaffected by the two
massive earthquakes that occurred this past year. Remember, it was just
twelve months ago that the great South Asian Tsunami roared along the
Indian ocean, suddenly rising and striking the coastlines of nine
nations. Over 250,000 people died and millions more were left grieving
and homeless. Scientists tell us that this great disaster not only
changed the landscape of Asia, it actually caused the planet to wobble
on its axis.
 But
the physical shaking was not over. Nine and a half months later
another devastating quake struck, this time in Pakistan. On October 6,
the Kashmir region of Pakistan was rocked by an 8.2 earthquake which
killed nearly 90,000 people. Millions again were left without homes or
shelter.
If these
major quakes were not enough, this past year also saw unprecedented
disturbances in weather patterns. The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season
witnessed a record twenty-six named storms. Thirteen of these became
deadly hurricanes, seven of which grew to catastrophic category three
or stronger storms. Devastation to New Orleans and the coastal cities
of Mississippi and Alabama was beyond comprehension.
There
is something happening in the earth. Massive earthquakes. Huge death
tolls. Unprecedented storms. It may all be a coincidence, but I
cannot help but call to mind the Lord's word, "Yet once more I will
shake not only the earth, but also the heaven" (Heb. 12:26). There is
certainly a great shaking occurring in the nations.
Jesus
warned that "great earthquakes" would be part of a variety of natural
calamities, which He called "birth pangs," that would introduce the end
times (Luke 21:11; Matt. 24:8; Mark 13:8). In other words, He told us
to expect natural disasters to increase both in magnitude and
frequency, as though the earth itself was recoiling against the weight
of sin. As Isaiah said, ". . . the earth is shaken violently. . . it
totters like a shack, for its transgression is heavy upon it" (see Isa.
24:19-20).
If we
are, indeed, living in the last decades of this present age, we should
not expect the planet to remain calm or tranquil. I believe God will
use these calamities to draw multitudes to Himself, but we should be
aware they will probably grow in severity.
Spiritual Shaking
As
disasters increase, so fear will increase, but it should not be so with
us. For it is also during this time that the Lord promised that the
ruling powers of darkness will be shaken from their position of
influence and rule. The Lord will "shake not only the earth, but also the heaven"
(Heb. 12:26). This verse is not referring to the highest of heavens
where God dwells. The heavens mentioned here refer to the spiritual
realm, also known as the "heavenly places" elsewhere in the Bible (Eph.
3:10). These "heavenly places" represent the spiritual dimension from
which "the powers, . . . the world forces of this darkness, . . . the
spiritual forces of wickedness" exert their rule over nations (Eph.
6:12).
Thus,
the Lord says in Isaiah "It will happen in that day, that the Lord will
punish the host of heaven on high, and the kings of the earth on earth"
(Isa. 24:21). The last great shaking will affect both the natural and
spiritual realms. Likewise, Jesus warned that during the time of the
end "the powers of the heavens will be shaken" (Matt 24:29).
In
fact, there is, at this moment a "war in heaven" (Rev. 12:7).
Remember, the shaking of these powers denotes the "removing" of their
place of influence and rule (Heb. 12:27). In other words, every
demonic stronghold that hinders the coming forth of the kingdom of God
on earth is ultimately going to be confronted by the power and
authority of heaven!
One
may argue, "These verses refer to the end of the age." Yes, the
finality of this twofold shaking - things on earth, but also heaven -
won't occur until just before the Lord returns. However, I believe it
has already begun on a certain level. Consider the former Soviet
Union. Here was the largest geographic empire in the history of the
world; its military was powerful beyond measure. The USSR was avowed
atheistic in nature, and it spread atheism to all nations under its
influence.
Yet,
in an amazing and unfathomably sophisticated exercise of the divine
will, the Almighty judged the spiritual powers ruling Soviet
Communism. Without a violent revolution, without an insurrection or
war, the Soviet Union suddenly and dramatically disintegrated. Not
only did this great empire implode, it was on December 25,
1991, that Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as President of the Soviet Union,
effectively ending the Soviet Communist Party. The next day the Soviet
parliament acknowledged the dissolution of the empire.
What a great and enduring sign! On
Christmas day, the very day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the
demonic power ruling the USSR was shaken and toppled from its place!
Will the Lord's final confrontation against the spiritual powers of
wickedness be much more significant? Since the fall of communism,
missiologists tell us that more people have come to Christ worldwide
than the sum of all conversions since the first century. An evil power
fell from its place of rule and since then millions of people have come
into God's kingdom! (Anyone feel like shouting here?)
Even
while the physical world will suffer birth pangs, I believe we are
going to see other major "powers in the heavens" come down just as
dramatically as the former Soviet Union. The power block ruling Islam
is going to unravel. There will be unexpected, but significant
breakthroughs, and Muslims by the millions will open to the gospel and
find Christ as their Savior. This is the prayer frontier God set before
us. And this is the primary reason we must pray for the success of the
nations fighting radical Islam.
We
will also see major demonic powers fall in the USA. In fact, I believe
there is already a serious breech in the stronghold ruling
homosexuality. Regardless of their brazen public face, there are those
in the gay community who are still spiritually sensitive. They are
aware that, at the very time they scheduled their celebrations of
decadence, two major hurricanes roared into their host cities (New
Orleans and Key West). Inwardly they know God is not pleased with their
lifestyle.
I also
believe it will not be long before serious restrictions will be placed
upon abortion in the USA. This demonic power that has blinded
lawmakers and justices will be broken. Let us, therefore, continue to
pray for Supreme Court Justices to be appointed who are both pro-life
and God-fearing.
It
seems to me that we are living when, at least on some level, the
"powers of the heavens" are being shaken. Our prayers and personal
involvement in the affairs of life play a major role in toppling these
powers of darkness. If we do not quit praying, we will see significant
changes unfold before our eyes.
Finally,
let us remember that, even while things on earth and in heaven are
wobbling, we have received "a kingdom which cannot be shaken." (Heb.
12:28-29). Beloved, God has an unshakable kingdom to which He calls
us. It is the place where Jesus rules as King, from which place every
knee in heaven and on earth shall bow.
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