When a woman begins labor, two things let her know that the hour of birth is rapidly approaching. First, the labor pains become more intense. And second, the contractions occur closer together.

Jesus uses this metaphor to describe the final events on our planet before He returns. After listing several natural disasters, Matthew 24:8 says, “All these are the beginning of birth pains.” The question many ask is, “Are the frequency and intensity of natural disasters really increasing?”

Consider the outbreak of tornadoes in the U.S. in the last month.

“The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says at least 305 tornadoes were reported during the great outbreak of April 25th to 28th, 2011. The April 2011 tornado outbreak was the largest since the event of April 3rd to 4th, 1974, when 148 twisters occurred in a single outbreak.”

Although accounts vary, there were approximately 318 to 329 fatalities reported during the entire 72-hour period, with 309 of these between 8:00am on April 27 and 8:00am on April 29. The biggest loss of life occurred in Tuscaloosa-Birmingham, Alabama, with at least 65 fatalities. The tornado that barreled through this area had a maximum width of 1-1/2 miles and a track 80 miles long according to storm survey teams!

“Five states had more than 20 killer tornadoes each including in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia. A total of 14 states, including Ohio, had at least one tornado reported during the three day period. NOAA says at least 2 of the tornadoes were EF5 and 12 where EF4 based on preliminary reports. An EF5 tornado can have winds greater than 200 m.p.h. and can cause total destruction as was observed in Alabama. Less than .01 percent of tornadoes ever become this severe.

“A review of storm reports shows around 948 tornadoes have occurred since the beginning of 2011 with nearly 875 occurring in April alone (preliminary reports). While April begins the official severe weather season in the Plains and Midwest known as "Tornado Alley," the month of May is historically the worst month ever and weather experts are predicting another severe weather outbreak on Monday and Tuesday across the Plains.” [1]

Are the frequency and intensity of tornadoes increasing, at least in this last month? Descriptions such as “most severe”, “record setting”, and “largest outbreak” certainly indicate so.

While our hearts grieve with the devastating losses our friends in the Southeast have experienced, we look to Jesus words for encouragement.

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near [Jesus’ coming]—at the doors!” (Matthew 24:32, 33 NKJV).

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[1] http://www.wkyc.com/news/national/188728/22/Tornado-outbreak-saw-305-twisters-in-72-hours