Matthew 24:3-8 gives insight into this matter. Here, Jesus tells us that He will return one day and the end of the age will come:
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
As you can see, the signs associated with Jesus' return are:
1. false messiahs (v. 5)
2. reports of wars (v. 6-7)
3) natural catastrophes (v. 7), including earthquakes.
Given the news of recent earthquakes in Haiti and China, does this mean Jesus' return is upon us? Perhaps. I say this because nobody knows for certain. Scripture tells us that it will come like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:42-43) and as fast as lightning (Matthew 24:27). The only thing we know for sure is that Christ WILL return one day to judge the world. For those who have repented and put their faith in his salvation, they will be taken to heaven in glory at this time. For those who have not, however, only eternal separation from God awaits them.
What this all means is that predicting the exact time of judgment is not important. We can speculate all we want, but that isn't what we're called to do. It's not important. What is important is ensuring that you do delay the time of your salvation (2 Cor. 6:2). If you are saved, friend, there's nothing to be worry about or to be scared of. Jesus will come and take you home.
[Answered by Pastor HM]
