August 22: THE LAST RESORT
In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. Revelation 11:13
This great earthquake corresponds to the great earthquake mentioned at the opening of the sixth seal (6:12), accompanied by signs in the heavens. It happened in the same hour as the resurrection of God’s word. On the heels of France’s public demonstrations to rid herself of the bread of life, other news spread rapidly: concerted, organized efforts among Protestants sprang up for the sole purpose of getting that supposedly banished Word into the hands of as many dear souls as possible. Dedicated translators, printers, and distributors acting in concert, along with preachers, missionaries, financial supporters, prayer warriors . . . !
Let us examine the city and seat of government over that empire named for its capital city: Rome. Centuries earlier, Daniel had been given a vision of this fourth beast (Daniel 2:40; 7:7) which had ten horns. These ten powers were the barbarian tribes that made up the initial (pagan) phase of the Roman Empire. One of these ten was a tribe called the Franks which later became France.
The world’s attention was gained by the resurrection of the two witnesses, but no nation was as shaken as France. They are the tenth of the city that fell. The fall of France was moral and spiritual in nature. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed. This symbolic number, seven thousand, represents a complete, irreversible judgment upon the enemies of God who had worked so many evils to push Him out of their country and out of their hearts. A balance of seven thousand comes to mind from Elijah’s day. When it seemed to him that the whole of Israel was in apostasy, God informed him: “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18)
It is becoming increasingly evident that the world is descending into chaos. Scripture often employs the word earthquake to describe chaos. There are multiple mentions of an increase in earthquakes and chaos during our time, just before the return of Jesus (see Joel 2:10; Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:12; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18). But the ever-increasing terrible news highlighting the sad reality of man’s efforts apart from God carries a possibility that people will seek Him as a “last resort”. The magnanimous, majestic King of the universe has also shown us His great humility. The nail-scarred Savior receives and aids those at the “end of their rope” who cry out to Him as a last resort!
. . . and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. This statement strongly suggests that a wave of genuine repentance passed through the nations. The call for repentance which corresponds to the beginning of the time of the end (Daniel 12) is still going out, saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water” (Revelation 14:7; see also Exodus 20:11).
Beloved, in this final age and stage of fallen earth’s history, cling to the Lord and His word above all else. We are in for a shaking that will strain every ounce of faith. Stay in the Word daily. Be sensitive to the needs of others and stay ready to tell them what He has done for you. Trust Him to give you the words that you need. Make prayer your “first resort”!
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17