Prophecy

Earthquakes and Bible Prophecy

by John Clark 
03/12/23
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      I am writing soon after a 7.8 earthquake rocked Turkey. Reportedly, it emitted enough energy to power New York City for more than four days. (There is strong evidence that it was human caused). Earthquakes play a significant part in the Bible, especially when it comes to prophecy.
     It is interesting that the Greek word for earthquakes is seismos. In our present day there is the word seismology, the science of earthquakes, which also registers an earthquake's intensity on seismographs. 
     Throughout scripture earthquakes have been associated with judgment and other significant events, the death of Jesus on the cross being the best example, as recorded in Matthew 27:51-52. "The earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had died were raised."
     The Bible teaches that prior to the Tribulation Period and the return of Christ earthquakes will escalate in frequency and intensity (Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, and Luke 21:11). There are currently quakes of 5.0 or more happening every week somewhere in the world that are not reported. They have become so common. The strongest earthquake ever recorded was a 9.5 on May 22, 1960. Someone asked a question on google if there had ever been a 9.9 quake? The answer was, "No. Earthquakes of 10 or stronger cannot happen." However, as we will see, the Bible predicts that to not be the case. God's power goes way beyond human knowledge and the laws of science or nature. 
     Here are some examples of earthquakes during the Tribulation Period. There is coming a time when enemy nations will invade Israel. Consequently, God's wrath will be evidenced by an earthquake so powerful that "all the people who are on the face of the earth will quake at God's presence. The mountains will be thrown down, and the cliffs shall fall, and every wall shall tumble to the ground" (Ezekiel 38:18-20). It will be felt around the world! 
     At the coming of the Lord when God fights against the enemies of Israel, his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem. The mountain will be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward" (Zechariah 14:3-4). Israel is loaded with fault lines. Jerusalem is located just 25 miles from the Dead Sea Fault, and there is a fault that runs right down the middle of the Mount of Olives discovered in 1964! Jesus knows where the major faults are located. 
     Earthquakes will continue during the Tribulation Period's time of God's wrath toward an unbelieving world that refuses to acknowledge him. Along with global earthquakes will be plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur, which will kill one-third of the human race"(Revelation 9:13). What is the response of humanity? "The rest of mankind not killed by these plagues did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols...nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.(9:20-21). These four things are very prevalent today.
     The good news is that if you have accepted Jesus as your one and only Savior you won't have to experience this. Acts 4:12 says, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."