Devastating Earthquakes

Issues – November 2010 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Devastating Earthquakes

With improved technology, meteorologists have become adept at forecasting the weather. Their short-range predictions are rarely far off the mark. And hurricane forecasts are much more reliable. As the Son of God confirmed, the weather is usually discerned from the condition of the skies (Mt. 16:2-3). But in contrast, no one can predict the day and hour of an earthquake, as an earthquake comes from beneath, being determined by the movement of what scientists call “tectonic plates.” When these suddenly spring apart great cities collapse, as did Port Au Prince, Haiti on January 12, 2010, killing an estimated 200,000 people.

The earthquake is even worse if the ground splits open and then closes on those who have been swallowed up by it. The world is still recovering from the December 26, 2004 earthquake under the Indian Ocean that swallowed up some of the sea. As it is impossible to compress water, when the earth closed again a huge tsunami swept towards Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. This 9.0 magnitude quake created the deadliest tidal wave in non-biblical history. The number of those killed has been estimated at around 250,000.

However, this figure may have been exceeded in 1976, when an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 died in the earthquake which destroyed Tangshan, China. Earthquakes are capable of mass destruction. A few devastating minutes can destroy thousands of lives and the work of centuries.

LONG-RANGE FORECASTS
Nothing experienced so far compares to what will be the most powerful earthquake of all time; only the God who made the world knows exactly where, when and why it will occur. The book of The Revelation predicts that prior to Christ’s return to earth there will be “a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great” (Rev. 16:18 KJV). The amazing feature of this earthquake is that it will bring down “the cities of the nations” (16:19). This upheaval will affect areas which have never known earthquakes. We cannot imagine the international devastation as great cities of the world crumble (Rev. 16:19). It will occur at the same time irrespective of time zones. It will be “off the scale” of the standard register.

God reveals that it will take place after another miracle – when the Euphrates River dries up to make way for the armies advancing towards Armageddon in Israel (Rev. 16:12). In other words, God will graciously forewarn sinners who search the Scriptures for truth. Not only will divine judgment come from an earthquake beneath, but also “there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent” – or 75 pounds (Rev. 16:21). Those offenders who survive the tremor will then face the terror of the sky’s falling on their heads. This means that the worshipers of the Antichrist will find themselves trapped between divine wrath from below and above.

Even though the earthquake and hail will be sent as punishment, those who have received the mark of the Beast (Antichrist) will not be shaken into repentance. Instead, we read that “men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague was exceeding great” (Rev. 16:21). In contrast, God’s people will say: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling” (Ps. 46:2-3). In the light of such events, we can better understand the Lord’s words which tell us of “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” (Lk. 21:26).

FAITH THROUGH FEAR
Despite the death and devastation resulting from earthquakes there is another lesson to be learned, for the Bible reveals that seismic upheavals are capable of bringing blessing as well as blight. This is one of the great mysteries of God. For an example from prophecy we read this: “There was a great earthquake ... in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand; and the remnant were terrified, and gave glory to the God of heaven” (Rev. 11:13). This forerunner of the mightiest earthquake will bring life out of death to those who repent. There are tremors which have moved men’s hearts to fear and faith. While some are also in the Old Testament, in this article we are limiting our look to the New.

THE GOD OF CALVARY
In the New Testament three earthquakes brought blessing to the world. The first was at the Crucifixion when the Savior yielded up His spirit in death. Immediately “the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks were split; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints that slept were raised ... and appeared to many” (Mt. 27:51-53). This miracle caused the centurion and the soldiers to confess this about Jesus: “Truly, this was the Son of God” (Mt. 27:54).

The temple where the veil was torn was built upon a fault line and was earthquake-prone. Indeed, on May 27, 363, when the Jews tried to rebuild the temple at the command of Julian the Apostate, their work was overthrown by another earthquake which shook Jerusalem, causing a fire that exploded the gases in the underground vaults of the Temple Mount. The workmen abandoned the work, and a few weeks later Julian died in battle against the Persians. The man who renounced his confession of faith in Christ and pledged to restore the ancient rituals fell victim to false prophecy. His pagan visions ended in his fearful defeat beyond the river Tigris.

Having said as much, let no one doubt that the temple will rise again. After Christ returns to translate His saints, the nation of Israel will awaken from her long slumber. The priesthood and the sacrifices will be restored and the Man of Sin will be able to enter the restored temple proclaiming himself the God of Israel (2 Th. 2:4). In the meantime, the Dome of the Rock mosque has sealed the site of the future temple, preventing rebuilding. However, should the Lord’s return be accompanied by an earthquake, the mosque built in the late seventh century could collapse in a moment.

The last earthquake in the gospels occurred at the Resurrection. Like the quake at the Cross, there was no damage to life. However, the Romans guarding the tomb were shaken to the core: “Behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it ... And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men” (Mt. 28:2-4). All this proved that the One who had died was now alive! So the soldiers fled into the city with the report of an empty tomb (Mt. 28:11).

“SOULQUAKE” AT PHILIPPI
In Acts 16, the last recorded earthquake before Revelation was likewise without damage to humans. The tremor which shook the Philippian prison killed no one but released every man’s bonds and brought the jailer to his knees in repentance and faith. Here again we have the common presence of soldiers or guardsmen. At the Cross the centurion and his detachment were filled with the fear of God. At the garden tomb the Roman soldiers guarding the grave fled in mortal fear. And in Philippi a terrified jailer fell down before Paul and Silas and pleaded, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (16:29). To which the apostles replied, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (16:31).

These words have lost none of their power or promise, even today. For the day is coming when God will shake the world physically and spiritually. The writer to the Hebrews speaks of an hour when God will shake both heaven and earth (Heb. 12:26-27). This combination of earthquake and skyquake will wind up this present creation as we know it. John refers to this final expression of the Day of the Lord when he writes, “I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them” (Rev. 20:11).

However, those who know the Lord as Savior have nothing to fear from these cosmic thunderings. It will not be the end of the world for those whose inheritance is sure in the “new heavens and a new earth” (2 Pet. 3:13). For the sheep of Christ can never perish when their Shepherd, who gives eternal life to them, also guards them (Jn. 10:28).

By Tom Summerhill