Earthquakes & The End Times
Earthquakes & The End Times
(by Britt Gillette)
When Jesus was asked what would signal His return and the end of
the age, He said to look for a number of signs. One of those signs was
the appearance of earthquakes (Matthew 24:7). But what does that mean?
After all, earthquakes have been a part of human life since Adam and
Eve. They aren't rare.
the appearance of earthquakes (Matthew 24:7). But what does that mean?
After all, earthquakes have been a part of human life since Adam and
Eve. They aren't rare.
The Bible says they
appeared in the days of Amos (Amos 1:1) and King Saul (1 Samuel 14:15).
They appeared in the days of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:26). And
non-biblical history tells us earthquakes shook ancient China, Italy,
Greece, Turkey, Syria, and other nations.
appeared in the days of Amos (Amos 1:1) and King Saul (1 Samuel 14:15).
They appeared in the days of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:26). And
non-biblical history tells us earthquakes shook ancient China, Italy,
Greece, Turkey, Syria, and other nations.
In 1906, a devastating earthquake
toppled almost every building in the city and killed over 3,000 people.
In short, earthquakes have been a part of life since the beginning of
human civilization.
In short, earthquakes have been a part of life since the beginning of
human civilization.
So if we've always had
earthquakes, how can they possibly be a sign of the Second Coming?
That's a great question. Fortunately, Jesus gave us the answer.
Earthquakes in general are NOT a sign of His return. But according to
Jesus, earthquakes occurring in a certain pattern are...
earthquakes, how can they possibly be a sign of the Second Coming?
That's a great question. Fortunately, Jesus gave us the answer.
Earthquakes in general are NOT a sign of His return. But according to
Jesus, earthquakes occurring in a certain pattern are...
Signs Like Labor Pains
Jesus
cited a number of signs to look for. Among them are the appearance of
earthquakes, famines, wars, and false messiahs. Jesus knew these signs
had always been present. So He wasn't saying their appearance alone will
signal His return. Instead, He said to look for them in a distinct
pattern.
cited a number of signs to look for. Among them are the appearance of
earthquakes, famines, wars, and false messiahs. Jesus knew these signs
had always been present. So He wasn't saying their appearance alone will
signal His return. Instead, He said to look for them in a distinct
pattern.
He said they would arrive like "birth
pains." But what does this mean? What could these general signs
possibly have in common with birth pains?
pains." But what does this mean? What could these general signs
possibly have in common with birth pains?
Only
this - birth pains, or labor contractions, are sharp pains. They
increase in both frequency and intensity right before birth. In other
words, the signs Jesus mentioned will appear with greater frequency and
intensity right before His return.
this - birth pains, or labor contractions, are sharp pains. They
increase in both frequency and intensity right before birth. In other
words, the signs Jesus mentioned will appear with greater frequency and
intensity right before His return.
Looking for the Pattern
This
means earthquakes (or even what seems to be a numerical increase in the
number of earthquakes) are NOT a sign of the Second Coming. Instead,
Jesus said to look for an increase in the frequency of large
earthquakes. Such an increase will fit the pattern Jesus described - a
pattern of more frequent intense events rising toward a climax.
means earthquakes (or even what seems to be a numerical increase in the
number of earthquakes) are NOT a sign of the Second Coming. Instead,
Jesus said to look for an increase in the frequency of large
earthquakes. Such an increase will fit the pattern Jesus described - a
pattern of more frequent intense events rising toward a climax.
So
how do we measure an increase in the frequency and intensity of
earthquakes? We don't have accurate data going back to the beginning of
time. We don't even have accurate data going back to the time of Jesus.
how do we measure an increase in the frequency and intensity of
earthquakes? We don't have accurate data going back to the beginning of
time. We don't even have accurate data going back to the time of Jesus.
After
all, advanced instruments for detecting and measuring earthquakes are
relatively new. The Richter Scale didn't even exist until 1935, and most
seismographs at the time failed to detect any earthquakes under a
magnitude of about 3.0.
all, advanced instruments for detecting and measuring earthquakes are
relatively new. The Richter Scale didn't even exist until 1935, and most
seismographs at the time failed to detect any earthquakes under a
magnitude of about 3.0.
But today? Today's
devices routinely measure earthquakes with negative magnitudes. Because
of this, looking only at the frequency of earthquakes is meaningless.
Obviously, with better instruments, we can detect smaller earthquakes.
But that doesn't mean more earthquakes are occurring. It just means for
the first time we're able to measure them.
devices routinely measure earthquakes with negative magnitudes. Because
of this, looking only at the frequency of earthquakes is meaningless.
Obviously, with better instruments, we can detect smaller earthquakes.
But that doesn't mean more earthquakes are occurring. It just means for
the first time we're able to measure them.
But let's take a different point of view. What if we look
only at modern data from the last one hundred years? And what if we
look only at earthquakes registering a magnitude of 8.0 or greater? This
will give us a much more accurate picture. Why? Because most
instrumentation from that time period could detect an earthquake of such
enormity.
only at modern data from the last one hundred years? And what if we
look only at earthquakes registering a magnitude of 8.0 or greater? This
will give us a much more accurate picture. Why? Because most
instrumentation from that time period could detect an earthquake of such
enormity.
This eliminates all the small
quakes detected in more recent times. And even though the sample size is
still small (only about 120 years), it should give us enough data to
spot a recent trend. If these are the times Jesus told us to look for,
we should expect to see an increase in the frequency (number) and
intensity (magnitude) of earthquakes.
quakes detected in more recent times. And even though the sample size is
still small (only about 120 years), it should give us enough data to
spot a recent trend. If these are the times Jesus told us to look for,
we should expect to see an increase in the frequency (number) and
intensity (magnitude) of earthquakes.
Is this what we see today? Yes. It is.
The Increasing Frequency of High Intensity Earthquakes
According
to the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) composite catalog,
recent years have seen a marked increase in the number of earthquakes
with a magnitude of 8.0 or greater:
to the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) composite catalog,
recent years have seen a marked increase in the number of earthquakes
with a magnitude of 8.0 or greater:
1900's - 3 earthquakes
1910's - 0 earthquakes
1920's - 1 earthquake
1930's - 1 earthquake
1940's - 1 earthquake
1950's - 1 earthquake
1960's - 3 earthquakes
1970's - 2 earthquakes
1980's - 3 earthquakes
1990's - 7 earthquakes
2000's - 13 earthquakes
2010's - 8 earthquakes so far
The
20th Century witnessed 22 earthquakes with a magnitude of 8.0 or
greater, but already the 21st Century has seen 21 such earthquakes. If
that pace continues, we'll see 116 earthquakes of 8.0 magnitude or
greater by the end of this century!
20th Century witnessed 22 earthquakes with a magnitude of 8.0 or
greater, but already the 21st Century has seen 21 such earthquakes. If
that pace continues, we'll see 116 earthquakes of 8.0 magnitude or
greater by the end of this century!
In 2014, I
cited this same data in my book Signs of the Second Coming. While
writing the book, my original draft showed six earthquakes for this
decade. I had to revise the book before publication because of another
8.0 earthquake in April 2014.
cited this same data in my book Signs of the Second Coming. While
writing the book, my original draft showed six earthquakes for this
decade. I had to revise the book before publication because of another
8.0 earthquake in April 2014.
After the book
was published, another earthquake struck in September 2015. And during
that same time, we've had three other earthquakes later revised to 7.9.
was published, another earthquake struck in September 2015. And during
that same time, we've had three other earthquakes later revised to 7.9.
Is
it possible this is just a coincidence? Sure. We've only had the tools
to measure earthquakes for a small portion of human history. It's
possible we're looking at a small sample size and drawing an incorrect
conclusion.
it possible this is just a coincidence? Sure. We've only had the tools
to measure earthquakes for a small portion of human history. It's
possible we're looking at a small sample size and drawing an incorrect
conclusion.
Perhaps these earthquake patterns
have appeared before. Some might argue we've only recently had the
instrumentation to measure all 8.0 magnitude earthquakes - that such
technology didn't exist in the early 20th Century. I find that hard to
believe. But even if that's true, we've nevertheless seen a notable
increase since that time.
have appeared before. Some might argue we've only recently had the
instrumentation to measure all 8.0 magnitude earthquakes - that such
technology didn't exist in the early 20th Century. I find that hard to
believe. But even if that's true, we've nevertheless seen a notable
increase since that time.
Jesus Is Coming
Absent
any other signs, the rise in earthquakes would be nothing more than a
footnote of history. But earthquakes aren't the only signs. They aren't
the only events increasing in frequency and intensity.
any other signs, the rise in earthquakes would be nothing more than a
footnote of history. But earthquakes aren't the only signs. They aren't
the only events increasing in frequency and intensity.
The
other signs Jesus said to look for are also increasing in frequency and
intensity - the appearance of famines, wars, and false messiahs. And
even those aren't the only signs.
other signs Jesus said to look for are also increasing in frequency and
intensity - the appearance of famines, wars, and false messiahs. And
even those aren't the only signs.
Travel and
knowledge have increased significantly (Daniel 12:4)... Israel is a
nation again (Jeremiah 23:7-8)... The Jewish people control Jerusalem
(Luke 21:24-28)... The Gog of Magog alliance is forming (Ezekiel
38-39)... The Gospel is being preached to the ends of the earth (Matthew
24:14)... Sin is everywhere, and the love of many has grown cold
(Matthew 24:12)...
knowledge have increased significantly (Daniel 12:4)... Israel is a
nation again (Jeremiah 23:7-8)... The Jewish people control Jerusalem
(Luke 21:24-28)... The Gog of Magog alliance is forming (Ezekiel
38-39)... The Gospel is being preached to the ends of the earth (Matthew
24:14)... Sin is everywhere, and the love of many has grown cold
(Matthew 24:12)...
These are all signs Jesus
and the prophets said to look for. And our generation is the first ever
to witness these signs. Still think this is mere coincidence? I don't
either.
and the prophets said to look for. And our generation is the first ever
to witness these signs. Still think this is mere coincidence? I don't
either.
Jesus Himself said, "When all these
things begin to happen, look up for your salvation is near!" (Luke
21:28). These things are happening. And Jesus said the generation
witnessing them will not pass away before He returns (Matthew 24:34).
things begin to happen, look up for your salvation is near!" (Luke
21:28). These things are happening. And Jesus said the generation
witnessing them will not pass away before He returns (Matthew 24:34).
The signs are clear. Jesus is coming! So don't waste any opportunity to share the Good News.
Britt Gillette is author of the free ebook Coming to Jesus as well as the books Signs of the Second Coming and Racing Toward Armageddon.
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