Yes—the recent surge in earthquakes is one of the signs Jesus promised, and Les Feldick teaches that we are seeing the 'beginning of sorrows' unfold.
Les Feldick points to Matthew 24, where Jesus listed earthquakes in diverse places as part of the events that begin the end-time birth pangs. He observes that earthquake activity has increased dramatically in recent decades, with so many daily quakes that the media rarely reports them. For Les, this increase is not the Tribulation itself but the preparation, the stage being set for the final seven years.
Matthew 24:7-8 — Jesus explicitly lists earthquakes among end-time signs and says all these are only the beginning of sorrows.
Revelation 6:12 — A great earthquake is revealed at the opening of the sixth seal, adding to the prophetic picture of earthquakes in redemptive history.
In Matthew 24, on the Mount of Olives, the disciples asked Jesus for the sign of His coming and of the end of the age. Jesus answered, "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24:6-8).
Les Feldick teaches that the Bible's prophecy of earthquakes is now being fulfilled before our eyes. He points to a "tremendous increase" in earthquake activity—up in the thousands of percent over the last few decades—with quakes happening every day that the media often ignores. He notes that even world seismologists acknowledge the increase but do not know why; Les says the Bible tells us: Jesus promised earthquakes in diverse places as part of the end-time signs (Clips 1-4).
No. Les Fieldick explains that all the things we are witnessing today, including the increase in earthquakes, are not the Tribulation by any stretch of the imagination. Rather, they are the preparation—the stage is being set for the Antichrist's seven-year covenant with Israel. Jesus said to watch for wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, but then said, "the end is not yet" (Clips 3, 7).
Les Feldick emphasizes that in Matthew 24:8 the King James translates the word "sorrows," but a better word is "travail" or "birth pangs." Jesus was speaking in terms of a delivery. Just as a child is delivered from its mother, the earth is drawing near to being delivered from the curse that came at the garden. The increasing earthquakes, along with other world disturbances, are the beginning of that travail, not the final judgment itself (Clip 6).
Les Feldick notes that so many earthquakes are taking place on the planet every day that the media doesn't even bother to report them. He mentions reading of three or four earthquakes—around 4.6 or 5.0 on the Richter scale—in China, southern Russia, and Iran, all in a single day. He also adds that this near-daily activity is contrary to history; it hasn't been this way in the past (Clips 1, 5).
Olivet Discourse Context
Jesus begins answering the disciples' question about His coming and the end of the age, setting up the passage where earthquakes are later listed as signs.
Tremendous Increase in Earthquakes
Les says earthquake activity is up in the thousands of percent and so many quakes happen daily that the media does not report them.
Seismologists vs. the Bible
Les contrasts seismologists, who admit the increase but do not know why, with the Bible, which predicts more earthquakes before Christ's return.
Preparation, Not the Tribulation
Les clarifies that the current earthquake increase and world turmoil are not the Tribulation but the preparation, with the stage being set for the final seven years.
Recent Magnitude 6+ Earthquakes
Les cites a dramatic recent rise in highly measured seismic activity, from only a few large quakes per 25 years to several every six months.
Contrary to History
Les notes that daily earthquake activity is contrary to history, showing that the present pattern is unusual.
Beginning of Travail
Les explains that Jesus' word 'sorrows' means birth pangs, picturing the earth's delivery from the curse.
Beginning Signs for the End
Les says current shaking and turmoil are the beginnings of what will intensify in the Tribulation, telling believers we are close to the end.
Matthew 24:6: And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Jesus warns that wars and rumors of wars are not the end, but events that must come first.
Matthew 24:7: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Jesus specifically lists earthquakes in diverse places among the end-time signs.
Matthew 24:8: All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Jesus identifies these events as the initial birth pangs, not the final end.
Revelation 6:12: And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.
A great earthquake accompanies the opening of the sixth seal, showing earthquakes in future judgment.
Luke 21:26: Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Jesus describes human fear as the powers of heaven are shaken, a parallel to the end-time disturbances.
No. Les Feldick teaches that all these things—including the increase in earthquakes—are not the Tribulation 'by any stretch of the imagination.' They are the preparation, setting the stage for the final seven-year period.
Les explains that in Matthew 24:8 'travail' is a better word than 'sorrows.' Jesus is speaking of a delivery, just as a child is delivered from its mother, and the earthquakes are part of the earth being delivered from the curse.
Yes. Les notes that so many earthquakes take place every day that the media does not even bother to report them, and he gives examples of multiple 4.6–5.0 magnitude quakes in different countries on the same day.
Les says the beginnings of 'everything start roaring'—including earthquakes, perplexity, corruption, and turmoil—should tell those who know God's Word that we are getting close to the end, even though the world around us does not recognize it.
Watch the Teaching: What Are the Signs of the End Times? Matthew 24 Explained