Whenever you turn on the TV to the news channel, the headlines seem to constantly be telling of some new disaster. You've probably heard about the recent tsunami in Japan that killed more than 18,000 people in the region. These devastating scenes make many of us wonder, why did this happen?

The world cannot help but notice that the frequency of natural catastrophes is increasing. Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami in India, and the earthquake in Haiti are only some of the more infamous events that have occurred in the past decade. But, every time something happens, people seem to stop to watch the news and say, "Oh, what a shame..." and simply go back to what they were doing. Of course, there have been many great efforts to help out physically, financially, and in many other honorable ways, but my point here is that people are not stopping to ask "why".

Let's go to Matthew 24. This entire chapter talks about the days right before Jesus' return. Verse 7 really seems to pop out at us: "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places." Doesn't it seem to be particularly applicable to our time? Although there has only been only 6-7 years in history when there was no war anywhere on this earth, the world has never seen wars as it has during the past century. With the onset of the industrial and modern age, weapons and war machines have caused for the deaths of not thousands, but millions of soldiers and civilians. The Bible here gives us a hint. Noticing the "and" between the statements... All these things are to happen at the same time! Although there has not been a major war in the world for about 50 years, old tensions are rising as the days go on: China and the USA, North and South Koreas, Palestine and Israel, and the seemingly never-ending conflict in the Middle East.

The events that are mentioned in Matthew 24 are about to happen or may already be happening on earth. Friends, I cannot tell you an exact date or year when Jesus will be coming, for we "know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh." (Matthew 25:13) However, we do know that the end is near "when these things begin to come to pass," (Luke 21:28) for these are only the "beginning of sorrows." (Matthew 24:8)

The Bible says that "[we] brethren are not in darkness that that day should overtake [us] as a thief." (1 Thessalonians 5:4) As Christians who are waiting for Christ's second coming, we need to be alert, study God's Word, and warn other people who have not heard the gospel so that they too can be ready for His return. Every sign and warning is to be heeded, examined, and proclaimed. That is our duty as Christians. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations... teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." [Matthew 28:19-20]

But these signs weren't meant to be observed to scare people into following Jesus. We must always remember to mention Jesus' love and the heavenly reward that is waiting for us in heaven. The reunion of a King with His people gives reason for them to rejoice and proclaim the good news to others. "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." [John 14:1-3]