Biblical Earthquakes

 Biblical Earthquakes

D. Weary

September, 2023

 

Biblical earthquakes signify and mark great Biblical events and/or a major shift in the Biblical narrative.

 

The Earthquakes of the Revelation

[Rev 6:12 NKJV] I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.

This is the earthquake associated with the war of Ezekiel 38 in the last days and the coming of the days of God’s wrath with the sixth seal of the great scroll of Revelation 6. This earthquake marked the beginning of the wrath of God and the rapture of the Church.

[Rev 8:5 NKJV] Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw [it] to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.

This earthquake marks the breaking of the seventh and last seal of the great scroll, the blast of the first of the last days 7 trumpet blasts, and fire pouring out from the altar in heaven upon the earth.

[Rev 11:13 NKJV] In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake, seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

This earthquake marked the resurrection of the two witnesses and taking them to heaven, the sixth trumpet blast (the second woe), and great destruction and deaths in Jerusalem at the end of the seven years of tribulation. A tenth of the city falls and is taken captive. 7000 people die. The rest give glory to God, perhaps crying out, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

[Rev 11:19 NKJV] Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

This is the earthquake associated with the seventh trumpet blast, the third woe, and the coming of the Lord at the end of the seven years of revelation.

 [Rev 16:18 NKJV] And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth.

This is the earthquake marking the seventh bowl of God’s wrath and the end of the days of wrath and the coming of the Lord. It is the greatest earthquake ever felt on the earth and it completely changes the topography of the earth and Jerusalem.       

Note that after the opening of the great scroll, there are three earthquakes at sevens, the 7^th seal, the 7^th trumpet, and the 7^th bowl of wrath, 777.

 

There were two other very significant earthquakes in scripture.

[Mat 27:54 ESV] When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!"

            This is the earthquake at the moment Jesus died on the cross.

[Mat 28:2 ESV] And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.

            This is the earthquake at the Lord’s resurrection.

With these, there are 7 significant Earthquakes directly associated with Jesus.

 

Other earthquakes in the Bible that are associated with the earthquakes of Revelation.

[Isa 29:6 NKJV] You will be punished by the LORD of hosts With thunder and earthquake and great noise, [With] storm and tempest And the flame of devouring fire.

This earthquake announced a time of judgment for Israel, but then a great destruction of the enemies that had surrounded the city, probably a foreshadowing of the earthquake at the Lord’s return. Note the thunder, earthquake, great noise, storm, and fire.

[Eze 38:19 NKJV] "For in My jealousy [and] in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: 'Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel,

This is an earthquake associated with the war of Ezekiel 38, the destruction of Gog’s armies when they came into the land at the end of the war of Gog and Magog in the last days, and the coming of the days of God’s wrath with the sixth seal of the great scroll of Revelation 6.

 [Zec 14:5 NKJV] Then you shall flee [through] My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Thus, the LORD my God will come, [And] all the saints with You.

This earthquake is associated with the coming of the Lord at the end of the seven years of tribulation.