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PULPIT TODAY SERMONS
by Robert D Pace
THE BIBLE’S APPRAISAL OF MEGAQUAKES
There are parts of Creation that, at first glance, appear to be misjudgments of God. The wobble in the earth, straying meteors, hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes, and landslides. They can be formidable as they swallow landscapes, destroy infrastructure, and terminate human life. At times, such calamities seem to impugn the character of God. But that’s precisely why the Bible isn’t reluctant to speak of such disasters—especially earthquakes.
There are seventeen earthquakes mentioned throughout Scripture, and each fulfills a special purpose for this strange work of God. The God who is infinitely wise could have set Earth’s foundation in such a way that it would never tremble—not even in the least measurable manner. But the Bible not only discloses God as Creator, it testifies that all Creation exists for His glory.
Colossians 1:16 says: “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” [NIV]
According to the Apostle Paul, God uses earthquakes for his glory. I realize that’s a broad statement, but that’s why the duration of this message explicates God’s specific purposes for major earthquakes. And it’s essential to note that this message refers to major earthquakes because the United States Geological Survey, of the Department of the Interior, reports that fifty-five earthquakes occur each day. That means more than 20,000 earthquakes occur annually (most are undetectable). That’s why we will focus on great earthquakes.
(Transition) Now, let’s transition to Point One of the Bible’s appraisal of earthquakes.
I. God Personally Identifies With Megaquakes
First, the Bible shows that God personally identifies with earthquakes and various natural disasters. Notice the scriptures that validate this:
Psalm 114:7 says, “Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.”
Nahum 1:5 says, “The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it.”
Isaiah 29:6 says, “You will be visited by the LORD of hosts with thunder and with earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and tempest, and the flame of a devouring fire.” [ESV] I want to read this verse from the Literal Standard Version: “You are inspected by YHWH of Hosts, with thunder, and with an earthquake, and great noise, windstorm, and whirlwind, and flame of devouring fire.”
However, the Bible expands upon God identifying with earthquakes when His holy prophets identify God with other forces of nature to accomplish His purposes:
Job 37:9—13 says: “The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds. (10) The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen. (11) He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them. (12) At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them. (13) He brings the clouds to punish people, or to water his earth and show his love.”
Psalm 148:7—8 says: “Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, (8) lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding.”
The Lord has identified with earthquakes and natural disasters so much so that Amos 3:6 announces, “When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?”
It may seem odd that God identifies with earthquakes, but there’s not one Scripture suggesting Satan controls them. Why is this? Why has God claimed personal identity with earthquakes? Let’s invert the question: What if God had not identified with them but instead had given Satan charge of them? Satan would have constantly unleashed earthquakes and prevented mankind from constructing a stable civilization. Houses, churches, and skyscrapers would constantly collapse; he would turn roads and airstrips into runways of rubble, incapable of supporting vehicles and aircraft.
Yes, God identifies with earthquakes and all the mighty forces of nature! And He identifies with earthquakes to control and administer them in due measure!
Earthquakes and the Character of God
There’s something more that must be said about God identifying with earthquakes: God’s identification with earthquakes and the indomitable forces of nature never malign His holy, pure, and righteous character. Never! My goal is to illustrate this throughout this message. The Bible wants Christians to know that, regardless of God’s actions, He always operates within the boundaries of His holiness.
As the Bible associates God with earthquakes, always remember that they never malign God’s integrity. He unleashes the powers of nature in keeping with His wisdom, mercy, goodness, justice, and righteousness. The Lord is not impulsive! He always moves with divine forethought. In fact, Scripture says God’s determinations toward mankind come with forethought from ages past—perhaps millions of years ago—before “the foundations of the world” were laid:
One of the recurring themes of Scripture, especially in Revelation, concerns the justice of God. Repeatedly, the book of Revelation describes God’s judgments being “just and right.” It’s throughout the book. And it’s testifying to the fact that God’s wrath upon the sons of men never taints His impeccably righteous, pure, and just nature. As the writer said: “In righteousness, and in due measure, doth God balance the scales of justice.”
For example, in Revelation 11, an angel blasts the seventh trumpet, which elicits the final “woes” of God’s ominous wrath upon the world. It’s judgment unlike the world has ever experienced! Consequently, the twenty-four elders surrounding God’s Heavenly throne immediately fall face down and worship God. What an incredible word-picture! It’s worship occurring at the holiest portion of Heaven, where the elders unite to acclaim the just and righteous acts of the LORD ALMIGHTY. Let’s read Revelation 11:15—19.
The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” (16) And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, (17) saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. (18) The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small—and for destroying those who destroy the earth. (19) Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm. [NIV]
When you consider that God’s character is never impugned by issuing catastrophe, it clarifies why He willingly identifies with it and has taken charge of all the elements. Nature does not have a will of its own, and God owes Satan no such freedom. What havoc demons wreak, they wreak with God’s permission. That’s the main disclosure of the book of Job!
So yes, God is in the earthquake. He’s in it . . . to control it! In sovereignty, He issues the fury of the earthquake; and in His sovereignty, He expels its wrath.
Isaiah 25:1 says: “O LORD, you are my God! I will exalt you in praise, I will extol your fame. For you have done extraordinary things, and executed plans made long ago exactly as you decreed.” [NET]
And then Solomon compliments the wisdom of God in Proverbs 8:23, when he says: “From eternity I [wisdom] was established, from the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth.” [NASB]
Adam’s transgression corrupted the natural order of life, bringing disease, death, and destruction into the world. Unfortunately, these consequences will persist until the end of the age. But in the meantime, there is an all-wise God who, according to Ephesians 1:11, is “working out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”
(Transition) As we continue, let’s move to Point II about Earthquakes. God Associated His Plan of Redemption with Earthquakes.
II. God Has Confirmed His Plan of Redemption With Earthquakes
When you examine the seventeen megaquakes of the Bible, you’ll discover that each occurs with a major message from God to mankind. Their appearance is perfectly timed and inextricably connected to major events, which then announces a major message from God. When megaquakes occur it’s God’s way of proclaiming: “Give me your ear. Open your eyes. Feel the shock. I have a message to convey!” You can mark this down with bold, uppercase text: GOD ALWAYS CONVEYS A MESSAGE WITH MAJOR EARTHQUAKES!
The foremost message God connects with megaquakes regards His plan of salvation. That may sound strange, so let me illustrate it by referencing four redemptive earthquakes of Scripture:
Redemptive MegaQuakes
1. The first redemptive earthquake occurred when God directed Moses to ascend Mount Sinai to retrieve the Ten Commandments. As Moses climbed toward God, darkness enveloped the peak of Sinai, the land shook violently, bolts of lightning pierced the skies, and a heavenly trumpet electrified the atmosphere. Fear consumed all who watched this drama. Let’s read Exodus 19:16–19.
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. (17) Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. (18) Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. (19) As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.
After forty days atop Mount Sinai, and with the mountain rumbling at God’s presence, Moses now possessed God’s redemptive plan for Israel—the Ten Commandments. All this trembling drama furnished indisputable testimony that God had furnished a redemptive plan for His people. The Israelites fully understood this because they felt the earth quaking beneath them. Thus, as the Israelites complied with these commandments, God would keep His covenant of peace with His people.
2. Another redemptive earthquake occurred at Christ’s death on the Cross. Please open your Bibles to Matthew 27:51–54.
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. (51) At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split (52) and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. (53) They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. (54) When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God! [NIV]
Did you notice the convergence of occurrences at that very “moment” (verse 51) when Christ drew His last breath on the Cross? God tore apart that sacred curtain of the Temple that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, and there would never be the need for a High Priest to make sacrifices for man’s sin. Jesus had accomplished that!
As the earthquake reverberated, it split the rocks asunder, tombs broke open, and “many holy people who had died were raised to life”! Can you imagine the commotion this stirred among the people of Jerusalem? Godly people, who had been “laid to rest” weeks or months earlier, were again walking through their villages. And it’s certain that they testified to what existed on the other side of the grave.
The redemptive purpose of this earthquake is supremely evident. Do you recall the response of the soldiers at the foot of the Cross as they absorbed the shock of this megaquake? Matthew 27:54 says: “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
In some mysterious way, God has used mammoth earthquakes to redound to the redemptive purpose of God. But this wasn’t the only earthquake that occurred with Christ’s redemptive work toward mankind.
3. Christ’s resurrection also occurred with an earthquake. Let’s read Matthew 28:1–4.
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. (2) There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. (3) His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. (4) The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. [NIV]
This earthquake was not a slight, rolling tremor. Matthew notes that the angelic appearance that accompanied this earthquake terrified the Roman guards of the tomb. These guards weren’t “girly men”! Cowardice was not in their DNA; they were brave, fearsome men trained to face death and fight the enemies of Caesar.
With these two earthquakes converging at our Savior’s death and resurrection, God placed a double-exclamation on his Plan of Salvation. The megaquake at the Cross disclosed that “Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). And the megaquake at His resurrection attested to His conquest of sin, death, hell, and the powers of evil.
If you are not a Christian; if you have unconfessed sins; if you need to repent; I invite you to turn to Jesus Christ today. He’s ready to forgive you and welcome you into his family. God wants you to know—by all means possible—that He loves you and will walk with you until you reach Heaven.
I want to approach God’s redemptive use of earthquakes from a different angle. Let’s read the words of the prophet in Isaiah 26:9—10.
“When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness. (10) But when grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and do not regard the majesty of the Lord.”
The Prophet Isaiah said that God loves sinners so much that He afflicts the earth with trembling, so that they will call upon His Name. Cynics of the Bible may disagree and scoff at this. Nevertheless, the God of all knowledge and wisdom uses all means to turn the hearts of sinners unto Him. The Lord says in Ezekiel 33:11, “‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways!’” The gift of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and His death on the Cross supply ample proof that God wants all men to be saved!
Despite how society or cultural elites appraise natural disasters, there is One whose knowledge and wisdom surpass the heights of the heavens. He’s the God who created everything. And it’s Him that we must look to and trust for life’s answers. And let me assure you that God has the answer! God has been and always will be good, just, and fair, and His judgments upon the earth cannot proceed any other way! He is the God of perfection in every way.
(Transition) Now let’s examine the fourth redemptive megaquake that awaits the world before the Lord’s return to Earth.
4. The Earthquake at the Battle of Gog and Magog will announce a great redemptive call to the world.
Ezekiel, chapters 38 & 39, disclose the Battle of Gog and Magog. It involves an alliance between Russia and Iran, along with a coalition of Arab nations, that gathers on the mountains of Israel. Their intentions are to “seize the spoils” of Israel and eradicate the nation from the earth. One writer estimated that Israel will be outnumbered 70 to 1. But at the last moment, before this coalition descends upon the Israelis, God will strike the land with a massive earthquake. The mountains will sink under the feet of the invaders, and with a convergence of natural disasters, Israel’s enemies will be almost instantly defeated! God will have won the day as the world looks on via televised broadcasts.
As Scripture specifically foretells the timing, location, and circumstances of this earthquake, several things become profoundly evident. It proves that Jehovah is the only true God. Only the God of the Bible can peer into the future and disclose it with unerring accuracy. And just as God miraculously defended the Israelites in the Old Testament, He will again miraculously intervene to defend and deliver the Israelis, proving they are His covenant people with a special purpose and destiny in the world. Thirdly, this megaquake will announce to the world that the land of Israel belongs only to the Lord God Almighty, who has leased it to His covenant people, the Jews.
Turn to Ezekiel 38:18–20 and let’s read:
This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign Lord. (19) In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. (20) The fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground.” [Skip to verse 23] “And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
(Transition) I realize this has been a particularly intense message, but the points that follow are even more intense. They concern God’s apocalyptic use of Megaquakes.
III. God’s Apocalyptic Use Of MegaQuakes
This point actually describes the set of mega-quakes that will appear at the Eschaton. The word eschaton refers to the “end of the age.” You’re likely familiar with the word eschatology, which refers to “the study of the end of the age.” So, what role do mighty earthquakes play during the Eschaton?
When the last days appear, they will be escorted onto the globe by a series of horrific earthquakes. These earthquakes will serve two main purposes:
First, they will announce the appearance of the eschaton. Jesus put it this way in Luke 21:10—11 when He said: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. (11) There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. These international calamities, which notably include tremendous earthquakes roiling the earth, will be impossible to ignore.
What’s interesting about this is that Jesus summarized this eschatological chaos by saying, “All these are the beginning of birth pains” (Matt. 24:8). The metaphor of the world heaving and contracting with “birth pains” suggests pregnancy. But what will this pregnancy produce? It will give birth to the Apocalypse! When this day comes, it will be crucial for Earth’s inhabitants to correctly interpret these signs. As dramatic as these “birth pains” will be, they are only the prelude to the intense drama of the Apocalypse.
Secondly, these megaquakes will judge the wicked for their misdeeds. This will be a grueling time for mankind. It’s a time when God’s just judgment will repay sinners for their transgressions and rebellion against His commandments. You see, God’s justice will not permit sin to sneak out of this world. It will not permit the hardened sinners of the Apocalypse to hoist a “white flag” and resign without facing punishment for their wickedness. What compels God to work this way? It’s because He is a Lawgiver—a just Lawgiver. And a Lawgiver who doesn’t enforce the Law is nothing but an “advisor,” and God is more than an “advisor.”
I understand today’s progressive-minded thinker disdains a “theology of righteous indignation.” But that didn’t prevent God from recording seventeen earthquakes in Scripture. Theologians have noted that earthquakes are the surest sign of God’s judgment against humanity, and there is a reason for this. While numerous natural disasters provide advance notice of their arrival, earthquakes can occur without any warning whatsoever. They suddenly strike, upend the earth, topple houses, factories, and skyscrapers, and then evaporate.
Near the start of this message, I quoted Isaiah 25:1, but I didn’t read the next verse. Verse 2 provides the context for this passage, and it’s quite remarkable. Let’s read:
“Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” [Verse 2 supplies God’s predetermined plans from ancient days.] “You have made the city a heap of rubble, the fortified town a ruin, the foreigners’ stronghold a city no more; it will never be rebuilt.” (This clearly associates God’s judgments with earthquakes and how they afflict the world.)
I’ll paraphrase verses 3, 4, & 5. They inform us that earthquakes create reverence from sinners toward God. Though evil men oppress the righteous like a “driving storm,” God’s retribution emerges to tame the ruthless and silence their glee.
There are times when the weight of evil so tips the scales of justice that God must exercise immediate recompense upon the wicked. Just know this: Earthquakes are never God’s first choice for punishing the wicked. He is patient, merciful, loving, and kind, but He’s also the “just and righteous” lawgiver whose justice cannot permit evil to persist unchallenged. Thus, He unleashes the force of earthquakes at the Endtime to punish godless, haughty, and evil people.
But exactly how will God demonstrate His punishment of the wicked through earthquakes at the Endtime? We must consider the terror of megaquakes because the prophet Jeremiah said: “But the Lord is the true God, He is the living God, and an everlasting King: at His wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide His indignation” (Jeremiah 10:10).
God’s Global Judgment With MegaQuakes
Do you realize the world has never suffered a global cataclysm since Noah’s day? But once the veil of the Apocalypse emerges, no place on Earth will be free from disruption; every square inch of this planet will be affected. And it will be in keeping with Noah’s day—worldwide, catastrophic judgment! But how will this occur? How is this possible?
Is there anything that could cause debilitating judgment that engulfs the entire planet? And the answer is, Yes! The Bible reveals the day is coming when God will sovereignly impugn the uniformity of the solar system and rattle the constellations. And once the heavens are shaken, the earth will reel with disasters. There are many Scriptures that disclose this:
Let’s start with what Jesus said in Luke 21:11. He said: “There will be great earthquakes . . . and great signs from heaven.” Jesus did not predict that the Eschaton would arrive with earthquakes. He said it would arrive with “great earthquakes” (Luke 21:11). He purposely selected the adjective great to describe the omens of the Apocalypse. The Greek word for great is mega, which means “gigantic; enormous; massive; extreme.” That’s why I’ve employed that word mega throughout this sermon. Thus, when all these signs converge with a surge of mega-quakes rattling the globe, they will proclaim a gigantic Apocalert (a fulfilled prophetic notification) that mankind has reached the end of days. These prophetic omens will make it remarkably easy for people to know that the Apocalypse has arrived.
Notice what Isaiah 13:13 says: “I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken from its place at the fury of the Lord of hosts” [NASB]. Notice the correlation here. Isaiah foresaw a disturbance happening in the heavens that will create cataclysm on the earth.
Here’s what Haggai 2:6–7 states: “For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations.” (This will be a massive, tangible shaking of the Milky Way when the earth will be unhinged from its course and then wobble in the tent of heaven.)
Joel 3:16 says: “The Lord roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth tremble” (NASB).
Job 9:6 reports this: “[The Lord] shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble.” Imagine that! The day is coming when the earth will be unhinged and displaced from its established course.
And then Hebrews 12:25–26 says: “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’”
None of these Scriptures is symbolic! God anointed His ancient prophets to forecast a solar disruption, inconceivable to the imagination, which will traumatize the earth, transcending anything recorded by the Richter scale.
I want to show you an astonishing passage of Scripture that foretells a series of earthquakes rippling around the globe. It’s found in Isaiah 24. As I read, I’m going to list six consequences of these historic mega-quakes. Isaiah 24:18—20 says:
“The floodgates of the heavens are opened, [1] the foundations of the earth shake. [2] (verse 19) The earth is broken up, [3] the earth is split asunder, [4] the earth is violently shaken. (Verse 20) [5] The earth reels like a drunkard, [6] it sways like a hut in the wind; so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion that it falls—never to rise again.”
This series of megaquakes that Jesus, Isaiah, Haggai, Joel, and Job predicted will wreak unprecedented havoc throughout the earth. When you read Isaiah 24 carefully, it shows human civilization crumbling, never to emerge again under the rulership of the wicked. I want you to consider the consequences of this global disruption upon the earth:
The infrastructure of nations will collapse. Roadways and airways will make it impossible to travel with motor vehicles and airplanes.
Crude oil and gas pipelines will crack open. Gas stations will implode!
Regional and international power grids will fail.
Volcanoes will discharge.
And the coasts will be ripped apart by the outbreak of tidal waves and tsunamis.
And remember the warning of Jesus in Luke 21:11, 25—26 where He said this, beginning in verse 11.
“There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.” [Skip to verse 25] “There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered [or perplexed] by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. (26) Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
When these earthquakes strike the world and in turn create tsunamis, they will result in millions of casualties! Major cities along the coastlines could virtually disappear into the oceans. This is the global reckoning that Jesus predicted for the generation that would witness his Return to Earth.
Does this not sound dreadful? Who wants to live during this season of Indignation? But these apocalerts do not come without meaning. God has designed these mega-quakes and mega-signs to announce the end of the age. And while these omens will rattle unbelievers, they will have a different effect upon the Christians at this time. They will assure Believers that the Bible is true, God is in charge, and that their “redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). It is unbelievers who will be left unprotected and vulnerable to these calamities.
When this dispensation ends, and the eternal age begins, the LORD will have created “new heavens and a new earth.” My guess is that our new Earth will not need tectonic plates for its foundation, but will be secured by a foundation altogether different from today’s. They will be eternal foundations. Praise God!
(Transition) I would be remiss without mentioning the earthquake described in Revelation 11. It is the earthquake that coincides with the “Two Witnesses”—Moses and Elijah—and their righteous judgments upon the wicked of the world.
The MegaQuake of the Two Witnesses
Let’s read Revelation 11:7–13.
Now when they [the Two Witnesses] have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. (11) But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on. 13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
The timing of this Megaquake is just prior to the blast of the seventh trumpet in the book of Revelation. And it occurs moments after the two witnesses are raptured into Heaven. It particularly rattles the specific spot on which they prophesied and issued God’s wrath. And its meaning is foreboding!
These “two witnesses” will be the most empowered human servants of God since the appearance of Jesus Christ [See Zechariah 4]. News outlets will regularly converge upon them to report their messages, miracles, and ministry. They will call sinners to repentance and place judgments upon those who oppose their testimony. They will subdue the entire world by calling forth drought, pestilence, and famine. You can imagine the hatred they will provoke from sinners. Once they fulfill God’s purpose, the Lord permits the Antichrist System to martyr them (Rev. 11:7). Afterward, their bodies will lie in Jerusalem’s public square for three-and-a-half days, as the nations gloat over them. Sinners of the earth “will celebrate by sending each other gifts” (Rev. 11:10).
But this is the moment God will attest to their testimony in demonstrable fashion! He will raise them from the dead and rapture them into Heaven in full view of the world. What follows is remarkable: God will issue a massive earthquake that destroys a “tenth of the city” and kills “seven thousand people” (Revelation 11:13). Notice those two numbers, “tenth” and “seven thousand,” because the Bible discloses obscure messages with numerals.
While the Biblical number ten denotes “testimony, law, and order,” the number 7 represents “completion; divine fulfillment.” Could the Holy Spirit—the Author of Scripture—be associating the numbers 10 and 7 with this earthquake to disclose the following message: ‘This now “completes” (7) God’s orderly, lawful (10) dealings with mankind. From here onward, the world will descend into utter chaos!’ With the mighty Two Witnesses withdrawn from the earth, humanity will be left to proceed on its own. The days of mercy and grace are quickly terminating.
Conclusion
When it comes to explaining God’s sovereignty over Creation, no one is capable. God’s infinite understanding, wisdom, and thoughts make it impossible to disentangle by mortal reasoning. But that’s okay. Theologians use a term to help us deal with God’s unsearchable ways. They’re called “the inscrutable mysteries of God.” That means, regardless of how thoroughly we search out God’s determinations—like earthquakes—they will, in some way, remain mysteries. The immensity of God, with His unbounded judgments upon creation, cannot be fully ascertained. And this means we must trust the good, holy, and just God with His inscrutable determinations.
Paul said in Romans 11:33, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and unfathomable his ways!”
Job said, “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed” (Job 5:9).
“Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? (Job 11:7).
“The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power” (Job 37:23)
The Psalmist said, “How great are your works, LORD, how profound your thoughts!” (Psalm 92:5)
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” (Psalm 139:6).
In summary, earthquakes always occur to glorify His Name, fulfill His purposes, stop the progress of sinners, repay the wicked, and work for the good of Believers. Thanks be unto God that His predeterminations always redound to His glory—even when we are incapable of attaching meaning to them.
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