The growing turmoil among nations may serve as an early warning sign of greater upheaval to come, much like tremors before a major earthquake. Jesus spoke of "wars and rumors of wars" and "nation rising against nation" as the "beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24:6-8), suggesting a period of escalating instability before more severe judgments. This turmoil could be part of the preparation for the rise of the prophesied empire, as Revelation describes the Beast emerging from the sea—a biblical symbol of chaotic nations (Revelation 13:1, Daniel 7:2-3).
Although the Beast is first mentioned explicitly after the events of the sixth seal (Revelation 6:12-17), the conditions leading to its rise may develop over time, possibly even before the catastrophic events of the sixth seal unfold. This aligns with Jesus’ warning that people will be "fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world" (Luke 21:25-26), indicating a mounting crisis before divine wrath becomes unmistakable. If these global tremors continue to intensify, they could signal that the world is approaching a decisive turning point.
In Luke 21:25 Jesus describes signs in the heavens and distress among nations, with the sea’s turbulence symbolizing chaos and upheaval. This passage ties into the idea that before the full manifestation of divine judgment, there will be escalating turmoil—both cosmic and geopolitical. The imagery of the roaring and tossing of the sea could also metaphorically represent unstable nations (as seen in Daniel 7:2-3 and Revelation 13:1, where the Beast rises from the sea of nations).
This suggests that even before the unmistakable wrath of the sixth seal (Revelation 6:12-17), the world will experience increasing distress, confusion, and fear. The fact that Jesus connects celestial signs with earthly chaos reinforces the idea that these events may intensify progressively, leading up to the moment when the world realizes judgment has arrived.
If this buildup is a long process, then what we see now may just be the early stages—subtle shifts in global power, economic instability, and increasing tensions that could eventually escalate into the turmoil described in prophecy. If the full-scale distress of nations and unmistakable cosmic signs are still decades away, then current events might be laying the groundwork rather than signaling an imminent fulfillment.
This would align with how prophecy often unfolds gradually, with warning signs appearing long before the main events. Jesus spoke of "birth pangs" (Matthew 24:8), which implies a process that intensifies over time. If the turmoil is still far off, it could mean we’re in the early contractions rather than the full labor.
Stephen D Green with ChatGPT, March 2025
