Earthquakes

Earthquakes. It’s been a very hectic two days for Southern California in terms of earthquakes. They had a 6.4 on Thursday and then a 7.1 yesterday. The first one didn’t cause much damage but the second one did. I’ve never experienced an earthquake before but people I know have said it’s a frightening experience. Earthquakes are nothing new and will continue on until the Lord returns.

The Bible talks quite a bit about earthquakes. The prophets all mention earthquakes as signs of things to come. Elijah went through an earthquake along with wind and fire, “And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.” - 1 Kings 19:11.  Isaiah, Ezekiel and Amos all talk about earthquakes. Jesus Christ talked about earthquakes in three of the four Gospels when He is describing the events of the end times, or the Tribulation period. The Book of Revelation picks up on that same message told by Christ. “When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood” - Revelation 6:12.  “And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.” - Revelation 11:13.

I think of Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail as they sang praises to the Lord and a great earthquake came and released their chains and burst open the jailhouse door, “and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.” - Acts 16:26

Or the earthquake that happened at the death of Christ, “When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!" - Matthew 27:54. And the earthquake that was felt when the stone was rolled away at His Resurrection, “And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.” - Matthew 28:2.

Earthquakes are nothing new, they been around since at least the days of Elijah and they will continue on during the Tribulations. We must not misunderstand Jesus’ warning about the last days as things that are happening now. His warning was for the time period after the Rapture of the Church and the events going on today are not part of His warning. But are you ready for His return?

Have a great day and God bless.