It might be safe to say that most people are aware of the earthquakes and temperature changes that have been taking place since the year began. Places that normally get a lot of snow are getting more than their fair share, while areas that may never see the white stuff are feeling the cold, nevertheless. The media even had fun tallying the number of states that experienced snowfall this year. They came up with forty-nine states. I'll let you figure out which one lucked out.
On a more serious note, I saw something in the news this week that made my pulses race. The report stated that "NASA scientists believe Chile's devastating earthquake may have speeded up the Earth's rotation and shortened the length of a day." However, the report was quick to add that no one would notice since the reduction was only by 1.26 microseconds of a day or one millionth of a second.
Okay. So we can stop truing to beat the clock. But wait! The report went on to say that the earth is not rigid, and any movements can cause it to wobble, as happened in Chile a few days ago and in Indonesia in 2004. The report again reassured us that there was no cause for concern, but said that "Using the same mathematical model as it used for Chile, the Nasa team had estimated the 9.1 Sumatran earthquake in 2004 would have shortened a day by 6.8 microseconds."
So there you have it. 1.26 microseconds here, 6.8 microseconds there, how much does that add up to? How many times have NASA scientists detected a slight reduction in our time and did not mention it? Not that it matters really. Because those of us who are Christians know what the Bible warns us about in the book of Matthew: "And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved : but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened" (24:22).
I believe the Bible. I believe it is the infallible word of God. I believe that many of the prophecies proclaimed in the Bible have been and are being fulfilled right before our very eyes. So we do not have to be afraid. God loves us so much, He's shortening our days in order for us to be saved from the wrath to come. So it doesn't matter what the scientists say, although we respect them highly. All we have to do is what Jesus says: "look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21: 28).
