In recent months, a series of earthquakes ruptured in west Sumatra, creating seismic waves resulting in tremors felt by occupants of high-rise buildings in various parts of Singapore hundreds of kilometers away. Scientists fear that another mega earthquake in mammoth proportion similar to that which occurred on Dec 26, 2004 could strike at any time to cause unprecedented and widespread destruction by gigantic tsunamis in countries around the Indian Ocean.
What is the spiritual significance of these earthquakes?
Our Lord Jesus Christ had revealed to His disciples on Mount of Olives of ‘earthquakes in divers places’ as one of the signs of His Second Coming (Mt 24:7 ). Indeed, the frequency and intensity of earthquakes have been increasing, with most of them occurring within the Pacific ‘Rim of Fire’.
The first recorded earthquake in the Holy Scriptures occurred when God gave the Ten Commandments to the Israelites at Mt Sinai. That scene must have been mind-shattering and stupendous to behold! Amidst a massive revelation of thundering, lightning, smoke, fire and thick clouds (Ex 19: 16 , 18 ), God was telling His people He was in their midst! A powerful manifestation of His glorious presence, power, glory, honour and majesty, but more significantly, it was a display of God’s wrath, terror and divine judgment on all who wilfully chose the path of disobedience.
God was provoked to anger when Korah and his conspirators rebelled against the authority of Moses and Aaron. Korah and the rest were swallowed alive when ‘the earth opened her mouth’ (Num 16:32 ). Again, God’s wrath was kindled at the gross abominations of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbouring cities for ‘giving themselves over to fornication , and going after strange flesh’ (Jude 7 ). The cities were destroyed with ‘brimstone and fire’ (Gen 19:24 ), probably from volcanic eruptions accompanied by earthquakes.
God’s prophet Isaiah had warned Judah of God’s judgment for their idolatry and disobedience: “Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, and with earthquakes, and great noise, and with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire’ (Isa 29:6 ). As the Lord had spoken, indeed, a great earthquake that brought great devastation occurred during the reign of Uzziah (Amos 1:1 ; Zech 14:5 ).
God’s word is replete with warnings for us today. Before our Lord Jesus returns, God will pour out His righteous wrath upon the wicked people who remain on earth through the ‘seal’, ‘trumpet’ and ‘bowl’ judgments. This is the Great Tribulation Period ruled by Antichrist empowered by Satan. Before this happens, believers would have been raptured to be with the Lord. Then, there will be a series of supernatural earthquakes with widespread destruction (Rev 6:14 ; 8:5 ; 11:13 ; 16:18 ). The first mega earthquake will register such a gigantic scale that the earth will be torn apart: ‘every mountain and island were moved out of their places’, and the celestial bodies will also be affected: ‘the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood’ (Rev 6:12 , 14 ). The mother of all earthquakes will occur at the last ‘bowl’ judgment: ‘there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great’, ‘And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found’ (Rev 16: 18 , 20 ).
At His Second Coming, when Jesus returns physically and visibly to earth to destroy His enemies at the battle of Armaggedon, it will be accompanied by a great earthquake: ‘And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives which… shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south’ (Zech 14:4 ).
Today, God is speaking to us through the innumerable occurrences of earthquakes to stir us up from our spiritual lethargy and complacency. He is calling sinful man to repent and to return to Him. The Lord’s return is imminent. He is coming again to reward the faithful and to judge those who continue to live in sin. Are we prepared and ready to meet the Lord? (Amos 4:12 ). Let us be in the spirit of prayers constantly and be vigilant; take heed ‘for ye know not when the time is’ (Mk 13:33 ). Are we having the right priority in life by setting our affections on things of eternal value rather than being encumbered by the cares of this world through material pursuits? Yes, as Jesus has reminded us: ‘For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul ? As to the end of this world, ‘the earth also …and the works that are therein shall be burned up’ (2 Pet 3:10 ). So, we should take stock of our lives and consecrate ourselves for the Lord’s service. Now is the time to serve Him.
There is an urgent need to proclaim the gospel of salvation to countless unsaved ones perishing to a Christless eternity. Are we concerned with the salvation of loved ones and friends? Have we ever testified to them God’s redeeming grace? Have we handed a gospel tract to someone who may come to know Jesus through it ? For those who are outside Christ, do not take God’s grace for granted, do not delay in seeking Him (Isa 55: 6 , 7 ); for ‘now is the day of salvation’ (2 Cor 6:2 ), ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved, and thy house’ (Act 16: 31 ). Amen.