Prophecy

Animals in Bible Prophecy

by John Clark 
09/13/15
Free to Share
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

Recently there was a surge in shark attacks off the North Carolina coast. Other types of animals have become more aggressive than usual. I began thinking about this in reference to a verse in Revelation 6:8 that says during the Tribulation Period people will be attacked by "wild beasts of the earth." By what I believe to NOT be a coincidence, I watched the television program by prophecy expert, Hal Lindsey, and he was talking about the same thing. 

     In Levicitus 26:21-22 it says, "If, then, you act with hostility against Me, and are unwilling to obey Me...I will let loose among you the beasts of the field, which shall bereave you of your children and destroy your cattle and reduce your number so that your roads lie deserted." Then in the context of exercising obedience to God's ways, Leviticus 26:6 says, "...I shall also eliminate harmful beasts from the land..." There are parallels between God's dealing with mankind in the context of both law and grace. In both cases He desires obedience. There are also consequences for turning from God. Therefore, these Old Testament verses could have application to the present day.

     Not only has there been an increase in shark attacks, but wild animals have been aggressive in other places. Coyotes went on a spree of attacks on children in Irvine, California, in May and June of 2014. Hostile monkeys have been reported in New Delhi, India. Even though there could be explanations for this animal behavior that have nothing to do with prophecy, one should not rule it out. Hal Lindsey stated that "we are witnessing an unusual uptick in the number of animal attacks on humans across the world." Genesis 9:2 records, "And the fear of you and the terror of you shall be on every beast of the earth...", but some zoologists have remarked that the "fear" of humans seems to be turning into aggressive behavior. 

     What is really happening? Is this all a result of some kind of natural causes, or is the prophecy of Revelation 6:8 beginning to be fulfilled? Are the consequences of rejecting God's ways as expressed in Leviticus 26:21-22 beginning to be played out? To partially answer this question we will turn to Hosea 4:1-3. "...Because there is no faithfulness or kindness or kinowledge of God in the land. There is swearing, deception, muder, stealing, and adultery.They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed. Therefore the land mourns, and everyone who lives in it languishes, along with the BEASTS OF THE FIELD AND THE BIRDS OF THE SKY; AND ALSO THE FISH OF THE SEA DISAPPEAR"(emphasis mine). Over the last several years fish, birds, and other wildlife have been dying by the tens of thousands all over the planet. Just type in:"lists of wildlife deaths around the world."                                                                                                               

      If the latter is true it will not only intensify, but will be another one of the frightening scenarios of the Tribulation Period. Just as God led the animals to the ark of Noah before the flood, he can direct their instincts or senses in the present day. The time will come, though, during the millenial reign of Christ, when the "lion will lie down with the lamb, and a little boy will lead them"(Isaiah 11:6). Do you think that animals directed by God will play a role in the end times?