Over the last few weeks, in the USA, a record-breaking heat wave, stretching from Iowa to Maine, described as “dangerous” by the National Weather Service, has scorched some 65 million people (ref. 1). Some areas reached 43.3 degrees Celsius. This unusually hot weather has caused health problems, power outages, and even wildfires.
In Saudi Arabia, during the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, at least 1081 individuals died from extreme heat. The temperature in Mecca reached 51.8 degrees Celsius this week (ref. 2).
In New Delhi, India, where temperatures reached 49.9 degrees Celsius, those without air conditioners have not been able to sleep much, and one rickshaw driver who has to work outside in the hot sun told a reporter “My body can’t take it” (ref. 3). Because of this heat wave, tens of thousands of Indians have suffered from heat stroke, and hundreds have died as a result.
In Greece, a week or so ago, where temperatures had been in excess of 38 degrees Celsius for some time, several tourists, including British documentary maker Michael Mosley, died from heat stroke, after walking around out in the sun for too long (ref. 4).
Elsewhere in Europe, the Balkans for instance, there have been widespread power outages due to unusually hot weather.
I think, now is a good time to bring up again the fact that one of the signs of the end is extreme heat.
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Luke 21:11
At some point after the seventh seal has been opened, the angel of the fourth trumpet and vial will scorch the earth with heat and fire.
And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
Revelation 16:8-9
It will probably be solar flares or the like, something that involves the sun.
And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
Revelation 8:12
This thing will be from God, whose name “hath power over these plagues” (ref. Revelation 16:8-9), and just like the extraordinary weather events from the two witnesses, one purpose of this sign from heaven is to tell everyone across the world that the end is near.
Satan and his lot will continue to push the lie that all of this is due to man-made “climate change” or “global warming”, and consequently those who might otherwise repent of the error of their ways before it is too late will not do so. Because of course, those on Satan’s side would like to see as many as possible not saved.
Eventually, many will come to realise that the plague of great heat is indeed from God, but even so, as Revelation 16:9 prophesies, due to pride or stubbornness, they will still blaspheme his name and not repent to give him glory.
And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
Revelation 16:9
Heat and fire are also reminders of the fact that Jesus Christ is a “consuming fire” (ref. Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 12:29).
Physically, his body is fiery and celestial like a star.
And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
Exodus 24:17
Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.
Deuteronomy 4:36
This is the morning star.
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Revelation 22:16
Because the 144000 saints will also be given the morning star to some extent, every saint will also wield the power of fire.
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.
Revelation 2:26-28
This explains 1 John 3:2, a verse about the saints, specifically the part that reads “We shall be like him”.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:2
Remember, at the time of the reaping, ie. the 7th trumpet and vial, every one of the 144000 saints will be resurrected or transformed.
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Every saint will become a kind of fire, superior to a human being and also more powerful than a demon.
This means, the kingdom of God will change the world.
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
Psalms 89:7
God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.
Psalms 67:7
This earth, which was created by God…
The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.
Psalms 89:11
… and mankind, which was created to be good, must be recovered from the grip of Satan.
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
Ecclesiastes 7:29
The world as it is now and the phenomena of evil must be brought to an end. This is the time of the end!
References:
1. Edward Helmore (21 June 2024), “Heatwave continues to roast 65m people in US midwest and north-east”, theguardian.com
2. Siladitya Ray (20 June 2024), “Extreme heat kills more than 1000 pilgrims during Hajj pilgrimage, report says – as heat waves scorch Northern hemisphere”, forbes.org
3. Esha Mitra and Kathleen Agramo (21 June 2024), “My body can’t take it” brutal nightmare temperatures give Delhi residents little respite from India’s searing heatwave”, edition.cnn.com
4. Niki Kitsantonis (16 June 2024), “Deadly toll in Greece as heat waves sweep the country”, nytimes.com