EARTHQUAKES IN MANY PLACES

April 2010 article by David Thompson

Recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile have reminded us once again of the enormous power in nature and the consequences to human life and property when living on or near a fault line, where Teutonic plates are pushing against one another causing periodic earthquakes, and if the epicentre is at sea the resulting devastation is as catastrophic from the following tsunami as a land-based earthquake.

In the Old Testament there are 6 references to earthquakes and the Hebrew word ‘raash’ means ‘shaking and trembling’. In the New Testament the Greek word used meaning shaking is ‘seismos’ from which we get the words seismology and seismologist. The Lord Jesus uses this word in the gospels to indicate that just prior to His return to establish upon earth God’s Kingdom, there would be an increase in seismic activity. The language He uses in what we know as the Olivet prophecy recorded in Matthew 24 verse 7 speaks of wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes in many places. Mark 13 verse 8 and Luke 21 verses 10 and 11 record the same message. Luke actually highlights that they will be great earthquakes.

It is very salutary that our Lord refers to the many earthquakes that occur as a prelude to His return. We are moved when we see through the media of our day the after effects of mighty earthquakes - the loss of life, buildings flattened, businesses and livelihoods destroyed. Following such events we are able to observe the humanitarian response in aid and assistance from individuals, aid organisations and countries all responding to the obvious humanitarian need. Our Lord reminds us that we are to treat our neighbour as ourselves. The earthquake catastrophes demonstrate the natural human response to the needs of others.

However, remembering that the Lord has warned us that these great signs are a prelude to the greatest of all events, His return, we should listen to Him when He says to all who would be His disciples and in His Kingdom:

“There shall be signs in the sun and in the moon and in the stars and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring, men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things that are coming on the earth. For the powers of heaven shall be shaken and then shall they see the Son of Man coming with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass then look up and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21 vs 25-28).

The signs around us warn us that the day is ‘far spent’ and that ‘our redemption draweth nigh’.