Do Earthquakes Signal Christ's Return?

THE BIBLE foretells of great seismic activities such as earthquakes and volcanic eruption during the time of the end. But are these quakes the signs that Jesus' return is imminent?

The aftermath of the devasting earthquake to hit Myanmar this Friday (March 28), that was felt through Thailand, parts of China and Pakistan send shockwaves as some of the city's skyscrapers collapsed in seconds!

A day after the devastating 7.7 on richter scale earthquake, the death toll is surging as more collapsed buildings, establishments, and bridges are being reported. News coming from Myanmar indicated that hundreds are trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings as death toll passes 1,600. In Bangkok (Thailand), at least ten people are confirmed dead, 42 have been injured and 78 are still missing.

Although the south-east Asian nation is a high risk region for earthquakes, it is very rare for neighbours like Thailand and China to be affected by it. Bangkok sits more than 1,000km (621 miles) from the epicentre of Friday's earthquake - and yet an unfinished high-rise building in the city was felled by it.

What caused earthquake, and how it was able to have such a powerful effect so far away?

Geologists explain that the earth's upper layer is split into different sections, called tectonic plates, which are all moving constantly. Some move alongside each other, whilst others are above and below each other.

It is this movement that causes earthquakes, and for volcanoes (dormant or active) to explode.

Countries like Myanmar are considered to be one of the most geologically "active" areas in the world because it sits on top of the convergence of four of these tectonic plates - the Eurasian plate, the Indian plate, the Sunda plate and the Burma microplate.

According to a BBC report, the Himalayas were formed by the Indian plate colliding with the Eurasian plate, and the 2004 Tsunami was the result of the Indian plate moving beneath the Burma microplate. Dr Rebecca Bell, a reader in tectonics at Imperial College London, said that to accommodate all of these motions, faults - cracks in the rock - form which allow tectonic plates to "slither" sideways.

Early data indicates that the movement that caused Friday's 7.7-magnitude earthquake was a "strike-slip" - where two blocks move horizontally along each other.

Ordinarily, earthquakes occur around the earth every day, but most are deep below the surface and hardly felt and affected populated areas. But when large quakes occur near cities or send huge waves across the oceans, the results can be catastrophic. This latest one in Myanmar can be classified as one of those.

When a big disaster affects much of the populace, and has worldwide effect as this one has, people naturally ask, “Is this a sign of the end of the world and the return of Jesus Christ?”

In the Gospel's accounts, when Jesus was asked about what to look for as a sign of his return, he spoke of "distress of nations" and “the sea and the waves roaring”(Luke 21:7, 25-26). He was telling His disciples that there would be great fear and sufferings, the world's oceans and seas will turn violent, storms will become deadly. In fact, when Jesus prophesied that, “there shall be...earthquakes in diverse places” (Matthew 24:7), the same Greek word was used for earthquake which is 'seismos' [Strong’s #4578].

We get our word, seismology, which is the study of earthquake. Jesus' word for 'seismos' can also mean commotion, storms, or tempest (See:Matthew 8:24 'seismos' applied to great storm on the Sea of Galilee). So, Jesus was foretelling that great noise and violent calamities both in land and waters such as earthquakes, typhoons and tsunamis would become more apparent and common, and will unleash an unusually destructive powers before His return.

While there have always been seismic earthquakes, Jesus foretold that they would increase in magnitude and occurrence before the last days.

But what do these signs mean?

In response to the same question, Jesus warned that other causes of death and destruction—such as wars, famines and diseases—would also increase during the end time. “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:7). But as Jesus himself reminded his deciples, he said, these are just the "beginning of sorrows" (verse 8).

So to answer the question: "Are earthquakes the sign that the return of Christ is near?" The quick answer is, "Not, yet". Jesus was clear when he said, “All these are the beginning of sorrows” (verse 8).

Far worse suffering and destruction will take place as the end of this age draws near, but the sad part is, most people will not be prepared for it and will be taken by surprise.

Speaking of this same time, the prophet Jeremiah warned, “Behold, a whirlwind [tempest in some translations] of the Lord has gone forth in fury—a violent whirlwind! It will fall violently on the head of the wicked. The anger of the Lord will not turn back until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly” (Jeremiah 23:19-20).

He then adds, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Behold, disaster shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the farthest parts of the earth. And in that day the slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth…’” (Jeremiah 25:32-33).

Jeremiah explains throughout his book that the reason for these disasters is that mankind has rejected God and has filled the world with evil, abuses and violence (See: Revelation 9:21).

But are there concrete signs that Jesus' return is very real and imminent?

While seismic activities are signs for everyone to consider their personal lives and safety, the actual “sign” of the return of Jesus Christ on earth can be observed through the "heavenly signs". Notice what He said:

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:29-30).

So keep on looking up, and while you are at it, keep on praying and stocking up the spiritual strength needed in order to withstand all the calamitous days ahead!

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📖"Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:26 NIV)