Typhoon Inundates Tokyo

Typhoon Halong “lashed Japan on Saturday as the country headed into a holiday week, causing the authorities to order the evacuation of a half-million people living near swollen rivers and canceling hundreds of flights” (Associated Press, August 9, 2014). By Monday, over 1.6 million people were told to evacuate and at least ten were dead. Hundreds of buildings were also destroyed as the storm moved to the north (Agence France Presse, August 11, 2014). Mid-July of this year also saw a super typhoon hit the Philippines and devastate southern China, killing 100 (CNN, July 19, 2014). 

The Pacific typhoon season is only about half over and threatens even more devastation before it is through. It is tragic to watch people around the globe suffer from natural disasters. However Jesus warned that one of the “signs” of the end of the age would be “fearful sights… [and] the sea and the waves roaring” (Luke 21:11, 25). According to the Scriptures, as we draw closer to the end of the age, increasingly destructive storms will be more commonplace. We need to watch, and let these catastrophes motivate us to pray more fervently, “Thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10).

For more information about the “end of the age,” be sure to read our free booklet, Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ’s Return.