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“Umm, volcanoes aren’t on that list.”

The term “volcano” is not found in the Bible, but they seem to be described. More than likely, in Biblical times, a volcano erupting would be seen as a kind of earthquake accompanied by fire. We have different ways of categorizing things in modern languages based on scientific research, whereas, in those times they would have described things and events in ways more relatable to the common man who knew nothing of modern science. In the Bible, a whale is a type of fish, though modern science categorizes them differently. The modern distinction between planets and stars would not compute for the average person during these times. They called everything in outer space “stars” other than the sun and moon.

Here’s an example:

Isaiah 29:6 NKJV
You will be punished by the Lord of hosts
With thunder and earthquake and great noise,
With storm and tempest
And the flame of devouring fire.

The passage I cited earlier contained a brief summary of some things to expect in the last days. It also expands on them with additional details:

Luke 21:10-12, 25-28 NKJV
Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake...
And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

So the signs that lead up to Christ’s return in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, and Revelation 6 include:

1. Deception/False peace
2. War
3. Famine
4. Disease/Death of masses
5. Persecution of Christians
6. Signs in the heavens including a solar and lunar eclipse

Then there is the second coming of Christ in a time period known as the Day of the Lord.

These categories are broad and general. Additional details can be found by comparing the passages. For example, Revelation adds to the 4th category, death by the sword and wild animals. And Luke adds the “sea and waves roaring” to the 6th category. Earthquakes may be more frequent and severe before, during, and after these signs.

There are more than one reason signs in the heavens can cause tidal waves/tsunamis. Meteors can cause them. And so can underwater earthquakes and volcano eruptions. Earthquakes and volcano eruptions can be triggered by “signs in the heavens” such as the moon coming closer to the earth or another large object coming near the earth.

Signs in the heavens occurred at Christ’s birth and death. They are a sign of His imminent return. At His birth, the star of Bethlehem attracted wise men from the East. It came and stood over the place He was. (See Matthew 2:9.) This may refer to the retrograde motion of a star. At His death, there was a solar eclipse that lasted for 3 hours, indicating that the object blocking the sun was something other than the moon. (See Mark 15:33.)

We shouldn’t take any one natural disaster or category as a sign that the end is imminent. But when ALL of these things happen, in this particular order, we know Christ is about to appear. He will remove the chosen from the earth, and those who remain on the earth will experience destruction by fire and far greater calamities.