SIGNS BEFORE AN ERUPTION
This month, seismologists detected a swarm of earthquakes in Mount Rainier, an active volcano in Washington state. Mild earthquakes are surprisingly common beneath the summit. During a swarm, there can be hundreds of minor quakes over the course of a few days. The last swarm was in 2009, even though the most recent eruption was a hundred and fifty years ago. Regarding the current activity, the US Geological Survey says there is nothing to be concerned about. If an eruption was coming, the volcano would be giving off different readings: larger and lower-frequency earthquakes, a deformation of the mountain itself, or infrasound indicators. In the end, the smaller quakes diminished, and the alert level remained “normal.”

SIGNS BEFORE THE END
Jesus’ disciples draw His attention to the beautiful stonework of Herod’s temple, perhaps impressed by the permanence of these mighty stone structures. But the Lord tells them that this grand construction would be utterly thrown down. It leads to a lesson about interpreting signs of the end. Jesus lists several false indicators but says that the end of the age shall be marked by increasing persecution and wickedness, even as the good news of God’s kingdom is preached to all nations.

Questions

• What’s another impressive human structure that fell into disrepair or was suddenly destroyed?
• How have volcanos or other natural disasters affected you or the region where you live?
• What hope can we have when wickedness increases?