Chilean Earthquake

Greetings!

We hadn't planned to launch this website yet, but with today's earthquake in Chile and at this time tsunami warnings, I thought several people would want a little perspective in relating this to the end times. Anytime cataclysmic events like major earthquakes happen, students of God's Word know that earthquakes are a sign of the impending end times.

This is a huge earthquake hitting at 12:34 Central Standard Time. Right now it’s rated at 8.8, which is beyond major. That rating may change one way or another when more data is received. The aftershocks are also major; 6.2 at 12:52, 6.0 at 1:12, 5.4 at 1:19, and too numerous to keep up with. A 6.9 hit at 2:00 AM, and then another 6.1 followed that. So far at this writing, all the aftershocks range 5.3-5.6. Experts say this one is 500+ times more powerful than the one that struck Haiti just a few months ago.

The people of God know how to pray and this is what is needed as Chile responds and other nations also respond with humanitarian aid. Pray that out of this destruction that God will be glorified. Pray for miraculous survivals as we saw come out of Haiti. You know how to pray.

Although different in magnitude, the location of the earthquake near population centers made the difference in impact. We cannot forget the earthquake on December 26, 2004 that resulted in a tsunami that killed 283,106 in Indonesia. In 2003 a tremendous 8.3 magnitude earthquake struck Hokkiado, Japan resulting in zero deaths, but later that year, a 6.6 earthquake in Iran killed 31,000. The difference here can be attributed to building practices designed to withstand earthquakes. You can read more about these earthquakes and other interesting information on the US Geological Society’s web site mentioned above.

Let’s take a look at what Jesus said about earthquakes and the end times in his own words, “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows. Matthew 24:4-8

According to Jesus, earthquakes in various places fall within the period He calls “the beginning of sorrows.” We can all agree, that the devastating impact of recent years’ earthquakes is a time of great sorrow. Jesus also indicates that this isn’t the end, but merely a prelude to the end. This is a sign that we are getting close.

There are many preachers and teachers, when talking about the end times, who say that earthquakes are increasing in the last days, and they attribute this to what Jesus said. Jesus did not say earthquakes would increase, but that they would be seen in various places, and historical studies about earthquakes prove that they really aren’t increasing as we get closer to what we call the end. Let’s look at what Paul says about the end time to get a better understanding.

because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.  Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. Romans 8:21-23

For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4

 It’s amazing how well the Bible and science go together, at least if the scientist will allow the Bible to explain science. Preachers and teachers who say earthquakes are increasing toward the last days are only partly right. What is really happening is that earthquake frequency occurs in cycles, much like labor pains. As labor pains increase in frequency, then the mother and everyone around knows, that the child’s birth is near.

Throughout history, there is scientific evidence of such “labor pains” as demonstrated by earthquake activity, and around each of these “labor pains” something significant took place in history related to Israel. In 1918 when the Balfour Declaration by England was instituted paving the way for Jews to return to Israel, there was a birth pain with increased seismic activity. In 1948 when Israel became a nation, there was another birth pain. In 1967, when Jerusalem was restored to Israel, another birth pain. Evidence indicates we are entering another birth pain cycle, which is, as Jesus said, the beginning of sorrows. The end will follow.

Earthquakes will be a big part of the tribulation:

Revelation 6:12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.

Revelation 6:14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.

Revelation 8:5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.

Revelation 11:13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Revelation 11:19 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Revelation 16:18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.

Revelation 16:20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

As many Missourians know, one of the greatest seismic faults runs along the eastern border of Missouri with the Mississippi River. It’s possible that this earthquake will be reserved for the time of the tribulation where surely the famous Arch will crumble as a tin foil gum wrapper. These earthquakes will change the landscape creating such fear that people have never known in their lives.

Are you ready? Is there more you can do to reach others for Christ?

Prophecy Dude