The Greatest Earthquakes In The Bible
Loma Prieta Earthquake Which Caused A Fire
Eight Bible Earthquakes
Earthquakes are not a modern phenomenon. They have been around for quite a while and Bible prophecy states that they will not go away until Jesus comes. Despite the massive loss of life and possessions due to earthquakes in various parts of the world the greatest earthquake is yet to come. However, let not your heart be troubled, God will take care of the righteous. (Just make sure you are one of the righteous). Even if you die you shall live again. Here are some of the greatest earthquakes in the Bible:
(1) One of the greatest earthquakes ever was when Korah, Dathan and Abiram opposed Moses the man of God. The earth actually opened up and swallowed them up with all their belongings!
Let us look at Numbers 16 where Moses said in verses 29-33:
29 “If these men [the rebellious] die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me.
30 But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.
31 And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:
32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.”
(2) The earthquake in the days of Elijah when he was running from Jezebel.
1 Kings 19:11 “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake.”
(3) There was an earthquake in the days of Jeroboam that was so fearsome that it was referred to simply as “the earthquake in the days of Jeroboam as if there was no other.People in that time marked time from that earthquake.
Amos 1:1 The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
Zec 14:5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
(4) When Jonathan and his armour-bearer took on a whole garrison of Philistines by themselves by faith God helped them by sending an earthquake.
1 Sam. 14 says:
15 “And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.
16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.”
(5) When Jesus died on the cross there was an earthquake.Matt. 27 says:
51 “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.”
(6) An angel caused an earthquake as he hit the earth with intergalactic speed coming to tell Jesus it was time to be raised from the dead!
This angel rolled away the stone that blocked the tomb where Jesus lay dead.
Matt. 28:2 “And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.”
(7) The earthquake that freed Paul and Silas from a prison.
Acts 16:26 “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”
(8) Future - The Greatest Earthquake Ever!
Rev. 16:18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
Before this great earthquake we have many more earthquakes to endure. They are a sign of the last days. Mark 13:8 says
“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.”
These are some of the more memorable earthquakes in the Bible past and future. I pray that God will give us faith that will carry us through these trials. Ironically, some of these earthquakes were orchestrated by God to free His people from their shackles and to help them get the victory. Be that as it may, I thank God for the text in Psa. 46:2 which says:
“Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.”
God bless.