Evan Doan

Something fascinating to take note of is that William Tyndale, who translated the NT directly from Greek instead of the Latin Vulgate in the early 1500’s, translated this as “all quarters,” or in other words, everywhere. If his translation is correct, then Jesus is saying that earthquakes will be happening globally and simultaneously, which would be an unprecedented phenomenon, indeed. Given the descriptions of global destruction and chaos that we are presented with in Revelation, Tyndale’s translation seems at least quite plausible. That would certainly distinguish this sign of the end from the sporadic earthquakes that have been happening since he made this statement.

August 29 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that the apostles would have interpreted Jesus' words as applying to the known world at that time, but (in my opinion) Jesus (as God) could also have been referring of the entirety of the world as we know it today. The "various places" or "diverse locations" of which he was speaking could thus encompass places where we know food shortages or earthquakes continue to occur in modern times, but of which the apostles would not have been aware. This would have had the effect of potentially making the time of Jesus' return not as imminent as the apostles might have supposed. (The same might be said to apply to Jesus saying in Matthew 24:14 that the gospel would be preached throughout the whole world ("to all nations") prior to His return.)

August 26 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Dean Mathes

This question has an easy answer and a complicated answer. First the easy answer. My KJV Bible has a footnote defining “divers” as various. I agree with one answer that these events will be unprecedented in nature, and “everywhere” may be a better transition. 

Here is my understanding of the complicated answer for this passage. Jesus was asked to give the physical signs of the end times. In verses 4 through 8 He is outlining the first three and a half years of the “Great Tribulation.” Jesus starts with Anti-christ, the first seal in Revelation. He then warns of wars and rumors of war. The second seal is nation again nation. Then the third seal of famine. Millions of people will starve to death. The forth seal of pestilence and disease. That will wipe out 1/4 of the earths population. The fifth seal the Anti-Christ tries to kill the Jews and Christians. Then the sixth seal of earthquakes that reshape the earth. I believe that Jesus was referring to the sixth seal in this passage. It will be unprecedented and will occur during the Tribulation. To read about the Tribulation seals see Revelation 6.

January 20 2019 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report