Chapter Seventeen – Earthquakes and Volcanoes
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Earthquakes and volcanic activity have become regular in the news—and there is a reason. While most take Earth’s surface for granted, danger lies within its thin and fragile crust.
Throughout history, God has used earthquakes to serve His purpose. The Bible foretells that thegreatest period of earthquake activity in history lies just ahead. In fact, earthquakes and volcanoes will soon affect the security and stability of the whole world—including your life.
God’s Word is plain. Yet most “prophecy watchers” speak little about this subject beyond the warning that “earthquakes are increasing” or “will increase.” You are about to learn things no one elseis telling you about earthquakes and volcanoes!
Earthquakes in Recent History
In the past 500 years, earthquakes of every size have claimed many millions of lives. The danger is now greater than ever—since the population has dramatically increased during the last two centuries, and some of the world’s most earthquake-prone regions have become the most densely populated.
Before thoroughly examining what God reveals about earthquakes—and volcanoes!—past and present—here are some facts.
The Pacific Rim has long been the most volatile region in the world. It accounts for 90 percent of all earthquakes. Several thousand small to moderate quakes occur annually around the west coasts of North and South America to the eastern Pacific Rim. Southeast Asian countries and many island nations are also experiencing heightened activity. Each year, Japan alone is shaken by over 1,500 tremors—over four every day.
Earthquakes occur when tension in the tectonic plates of Earth’s crust exceeds the strength of resistant rock at the edge of the affected plates. Some plates may move only an inch in a given year. But periods of no movement mean danger because energy is being stored and increased.
A worldwide network of seismographs detects about a million small earthquakes annually. According to records since 1900, the U.S. Geological Survey expects about 18 major earthquakes (7.0-7.9-magnitude) and one great earthquake (8.0 or higher) every year.
Some examples of recent devastating earthquakes: May 2008—a 7.9-magnitude quake struck China, killing 69,000 people. Then came the January 2010 Haitian earthquake that destroyed much of the capital city and killed about 230,000, occurring on a fault line never before detected. There was also the immense and destructive 8.8-magnitude Chilean quake in February 2010—the fifth largest since 1900. In February also came a 7.0 Japanese quake. Others regularly followed.
History is filled with the stories of very destructive earthquakes, having killed millions of people in virtually all parts of the world. The same is true of volcanoes.
Beyond death and destruction, bigger earthquakes invite famine and disease, with displaced populations forced to go without food and sanitation. And this says nothing about the incredible economic hardship caused by earthquakes, costing from millions to billions of dollars in damage overall, but also including widespread loss of employment due to destroyed businesses and transportation.
Conflicting Experts
Are earthquakes and volcanic activity on the rise—and if so, why? This is a subject of debate among scientists. Some assert that earthquakes are not increasing. J. Ramón Arrowsmith, a geologist, stated, “From our human perspective with our relatively short and incomplete memories and better and better communications around the world, we hear about more earthquakes and it seems like they are more frequent...But this is probably not any indication of a global change in earthquake rate of significance” (Live Science).
Bob Holdsworth, an expert in tectonics, said that nothing strange is happening, declaring, “I can definitely tell you the world is not coming to an end” (The Associated Press).
Other scientists say earthquakes are increasing. Stephen S. Gao, a geophysicist, stated, “Relative to the 20-year period from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s, the Earth has been more active over the past 15 or so years...We still do not know the reason for this...” (Live Science).
Which side is right? Since the experts do not agree, how can you know—and what does God say?
Natural Disasters Foretold
It should by now be evident to every reader that God will soon involve Himself in the affairs of this world in a way He has never done before. Earthquakes will play a major role in what is coming.
Immediately following His warning about false Christianity, war, famine and disease, Jesus also warned of another pivotal sign that would precede His Return. He listed a fifth condition: “There shall be...earthquakes, in divers [various] places” (Matt. 24:7). This says that earthquakes would be scattered here and there—but must also mean they would increase in both frequency and intensityas His Second Coming drew near. (Mark 13:8 and Luke 21:11 also reference them.)
Think. Since earthquakes have existed throughout history, their mere ongoing presence could not indicate the time of the end. By all honest accounts, earthquakes are coming more often, and are more severe—and this will greatly worsen. As we proceed, you will be left to believe scientists or God.
Jesus Himself clears up the question of intensity—the severity of earthquakes at the end. Soon scientists will no longer be able to doubt. Slightly different from Matthew’s and Mark’s accounts, Jesus’ statement in Luke adds a very important element about these earthquakes—how powerful they will be. Notice: “And great earthquakes shall be in [various] places, and famines, and pestilences...” (Lk 21:11). First, notice that the word translated “great” is megas in the Greek and means “big, great, high, large, loud, mighty, strong.”
Take this word for exactly what it means—and what Christ intended. Think of these as mega -earthquakes! These are quakes of tremendous magnitude that would result in terrible, widespread destruction. This differentiates the final period of earthquakes—when they come more often and are more destructive—from relatively “average” quakes coming also farther apart in all previous periods of history. It will become evident that the same would be true of volcanic activity.
But a second point is seen by comparing Luke and Mark to Matthew’s account. The latter lists earthquakes at the end of war, famine and disease. Luke and Mark list them before these things. The point is obvious. They will occur throughout the final years when false Christianity, war, famine and disease will have also grown much worse.
Volcanoes—in Nature and Prophecy
Volcanoes are related to earthquakes—both geologically and in Scripture. Their forces are shared and their effects are similar, with the devastation of both beyond comparison to anything in nature. When earthquakes are mentioned in prophecy, volcanoes are sometimes referenced.
A volcano is a crack, or vent, in the surface of the earth—its crust. Beneath the crack is a cavity. Over time, melted rock—magma—fills this area, called a magma chamber or reservoir, and causes pressure to build. The volcano, which may form over thousands of years or very suddenly, then becomes a path for magma to push its way to the surface. An eruption is the releasing of pressure.
Scientists state that over 3,000 volcanoes have erupted in just the last 50 years. Around 50 to 70 are active each year. Some are slowly spewing lava, while others are quietly building, or rebuilding, pressure. Actually, if a volcano is leaking slowly, it is considered “safe.” The danger arises when pressure builds enough to erupt violently. Depending on internal construction, eruptions vary from slow flows to massive explosions.