Those who write on current issues and events as related to Bible prophecy yet future have, as often as not, been somewhat off the mark. For example, I’ve viewed the weather (the climate changes in the seasons) just as weather, with little prophetic significance; others, however, see weather as, in some cases, pointing directly to prophetic development.
Bill Koenig and John Maturin’s take on the weather as related to treatment of Israel does intrigue me. And others writing and speaking in that vein have occasionally captured my curiosity—like, for example, Hurricane Katrina during the George W. Bush administration and things going on at that time with the treatment of the Jewish state.
That hurricane was indeed an attention-getter, and it remains one of the most violent on record to have hit our nation.
Most writers of this sort have based their regard of the increase of violent weather as a sign of the end times on the following Scripture:
Again, I have, over my many decades on the planet, known of violent weather phenomena—especially since I’ve lived for much of that time here in the mid-South, which is considered on the fringe of Tornado Alley. As a matter of fact, we missed being hit directly by a tornado while living in Jackson, Mississippi, by less than a city block.
So when learning of foul weather, even the sometimes unusual outbreaks across the region or the world, I haven’t been particularly turned toward the “seas and waves roaring” of Luke 21:25 as being a significant indicator of end-times prophecy.
However, learning of the current weather phenomena raging across the nation and world, in conjunction with the other geophysical activity—earthquakes and the like—we are, I believe, experiencing the forewarning in Luke’s account.
Some of the stories of such concurrent, angry weather plaguing diverse regions are listed on Rapture Ready News on May 20:
- Tornado hits St. Louis metro area, leaving 5 dead and causing widespread damage
A destructive tornado struck the St. Louis metropolitan area, Missouri, on May 16, 2025, killing at least five people and injuring dozens, according to city officials. The storm caused significant damage to infrastructure and homes, with over 5,000 properties affected. At least seven storm-related deaths were reported across multiple states on May 16, with some reports mentioning at least 10 fatalities.
- First-ever Dust Storm Warning issued for Chicago, visibility drops to near zero across metro area
The first-ever Dust Storm Warning for the Chicago metro area was issued on May 16, 2025, as winds of up to 113 km/h (70 mph) carried dust into the city. The storm reduced visibility to near zero and affected major routes across Chicago and surrounding areas.
- Tornado Emergency issued as violent tornado strikes Marion, Illinois
A violent tornado struck south of Marion in Williamson County, Illinois, between 18:00 and 19:00 CDT on May 16, 2025, prompting the U.S. National Weather Service to issue a rare Tornado Emergency for the area. The tornado destroyed homes near Market Road, caused significant structural damage across southern Marion, and formed part of a broader Midwest outbreak that killed at least 16 people.
- Violent tornado strikes London, Kentucky, killing at least 9
A violent tornado struck the city of London in Laurel County, Kentucky, at 23:49 LT on May 16, 2025, killing at least nine people and injuring many others. The tornado caused extensive damage along Keavy Road, KY 1006, and Old Whitley Road.
These were but a few storms raging within the US. Tornados are also striking in places around the world where such storms are almost never reported.
My own lack of discernment to this point regarding the “seas and waves roaring” has received enlightenment, it seems.
Jesus, when standing in the midst of them while He walked the streets of Jerusalem, chastised the religious hierarchy for failing to discern the prophetic times. They were looking into the eyes of their Messiah—the King of Israel and the very Son of God. Yet they, with all their training and religiosity, couldn’t discern the matters they were supposed to relay to the people.
It is most interesting, in the context of our commentary here, that the Lord used weather to make His point:
“The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” (Matthew 16:1-3).
It seems that lack of discernment regarding the matter of the weather, in my case, needed adjustment—no, needed correction!
The prophecy regarding the seas and waves roaring, which I’ve mostly considered to mean the sea of humanity in tumult among the nations of the world, it’s obvious to me now is primarily a geophysical phenomenon that will mark the end times. I continue to believe that, secondarily, the “seas and waves roaring” also refers to humanity in turmoil as the time of Christ’s return nears. It has, I’m of the conviction, a dual meaning.
As with all other prophecies in God’s Word, we must, as believers, discern the times we’re in with regard to Christ’s Second Coming. The next prophecy is the one from which we in God’s family should take great comfort, as Paul urged:
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess 4:16-18).