Earthquakes

The above diagram represents the largest earthquakes, with at least a magnitude of eight, from 1900 to present.  These are just some of the “thorns and thistles” mentioned in Genesis 3:17-18.   Most biblical scholars believe that the Book of Genesis was written somewhere between 1450 B.C. and 1400 B.C.

            The Son of God came in the flesh as Jesus of Nazareth to reiterate the occurrences of these things as recorded in Matthew 24:3-8, Mark 13:3-8, and Luke 21:7-11.  These Books were written during the following periods:

1.    Book of Mark – 70 A.D.

2.    Book of Matthew – 85 A.D.

3.    Book of Luke – Between 85 and 95 A.D.

These three books are called Synoptic Gospels because they “see” things in the same way.  The Book of John is referred to as the Spiritual Gospel as his primary goal was not to provide a historical treatment of the life of Jesus but to exalt the Person of Jesus so that men would believe on Him and be saved.  The Book of John was written sometime between 90 A.D. and 100 A.D.

            It is suggested by historical evidence that the audience of the three Synoptic Gospel was different as follows:

1.    Mark - He wrote for a community that was deeply affected by the failure of the First Jewish Revolt against Rome.

2.    Matthew – He wrote for a Jewish community that was in conflict with the Pharisaic Judaism which dominated Jewish life in the post-war period.

3.   Luke - He wrote for a predominately Gentile audience eager to demonstrate that the Christian faith was in no way in conflict with the Roman Empire.

Notwithstanding, all the four Gospels centered on the suffering and death of Jesus of Nazareth.