Earthquakes in the Bible
Exodus 19:18 – At Sinai, “the whole mountain quaked greatly” – cf.
Hebs. 12:26
1 Kings 19:11-12. God’s confrontation with Elijah at the cave.
Isaiah 29:5-6. Promises Jerusalem (“Ariel”) that God will “visit” them with an earthquake, with the result that their enemies will “melt away.”
Amos 1:1 – Dates his prophecy “two years before the earthquake”
Zechariah 14:5 – When Jerusalem is delivered, the people are to “flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah.” Same quake as in Amos 1:1; apparently of such magnitude that 400 years later people were still talking about it. No
further information is available about this earthquake. Josephus (late 1st Cent. A.D.) says it occurred in connection with Uzziah’s sin in 2 Chronicles 26:18-21, but the reliability of this claim is uncertain.
Matt. 24:6-8. Earthquakes will come, along with wars and famines, but “the end is not yet,” and “all this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs.” (See also parallels in Mark 13:8 & Luke 21:11.)
Matthew 27:51-54. When Jesus died, along with tearing of the Temple curtain, “the earth shook, and the rocks were split.” Resulted in opening of tombs. V. 54: When the centurion and others “saw the earthquake and what took place,” they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
Acts 16:26 – Paul & Silas in prison in Philippi: “Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken.”
Revelation 6:12 – “When he opened the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake.” Also, the sun became black and the moon like blood. Anticipates the outpouring of the wrath of God and of the Lamb.
Revelation 8:5 – In anticipation of blowing of seven trumpets, “there were peals of thunder, voices, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.”
Revelation 11:13 – In the interlude between the 6th & 7th trumpets, “there was a great earth-quake, and a tenth of the city (Jerusalem?) fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.”
Revelation 11:19 – “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of lightning, voices, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.”
Revelation 16:18 – At the outpouring of the 6th bowl (of God’s wrath): “And there were flashes of lightning, voices, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as had never been since men were on the earth.” “Babylon” (Rome) is split into three parts as God’s wrath is poured out.
Background:
In ancient Greece, earthquakes were regarded as bad omens. Philosophers attributed them to congestion of the air or the movement of subterranean water. Astrologers related them to signs of the zodiac and tried to make out what they predicted. They were commonly thought to accompany theophanies (appearances or manifestations of the divine).
In the OT (mentioned only in the Prophets & Writings), earthquakes appear usually in connection with some manifestation of God’s presence, such as when God marches out to holy war on behalf of His people. The Day of the Lord brings a shaking of heaven and earth.
The motif of shaking of the heavens and earth is common in later Jewish apocalyptic writings (approx. 400 B.C. to 100 A.D.).
In the NT, earthquakes are always indicative of divine intervention (as at Jesus’ death and resurrection, Paul & Silas in prison in Philippi). In Matt. 27:51ff the earthquake symbolizes Christ’s shattering of the power of death.
Summary:
1. In Scripture earthquakes signify:
A. God’s presence (as at Mt. Sinai with giving of the Law)
B. God’s sovereignty (He can do as He wills with His creation)
C. God’s intervention (a sign that He is present to deliver His people):
(1) From their enemies (Israel; Paul & Silas)
(2) From sin (accomplished through Jesus’ death)
(3) From persecution (Revelation)
2. “What about earthquakes today?”
A. Not “signs of the end,” since Jesus said, “not yet” and “but the beginning” (Matt.
24:7-8 & parallels in Mk. & Lk.)
B. But, they are signs that the end is coming. They remind us that this earth is not
permanent. Thus, earthquakes (and other natural disasters) are not predictors
of the time of the end, but they are warnings of its certainty.
C. Earthquakes are one aspect of the “groaning of creation” due to its “bondage to
decay,” resulting from human sin (Romans 8:18-23/Genesis 3:17-19).
D. Earthquakes serve as an opportunity for Christians to express our faith to others,
that this world is destined to come to a violent end, and of the need to be ready.
E. Earthquakes (& other “natural disasters”) challenge us to trust in the Creator of heaven &
earth, that in spite of all that happens, He is still in control, & will keep His word to His people.
Tommy South
Glen Allen Church of Christ
Glen Allen, VA
1 Kings 19:11-12. God’s confrontation with Elijah at the cave.
Isaiah 29:5-6. Promises Jerusalem (“Ariel”) that God will “visit” them with an earthquake, with the result that their enemies will “melt away.”
Amos 1:1 – Dates his prophecy “two years before the earthquake”
Zechariah 14:5 – When Jerusalem is delivered, the people are to “flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah.” Same quake as in Amos 1:1; apparently of such magnitude that 400 years later people were still talking about it. No
further information is available about this earthquake. Josephus (late 1st Cent. A.D.) says it occurred in connection with Uzziah’s sin in 2 Chronicles 26:18-21, but the reliability of this claim is uncertain.
Matt. 24:6-8. Earthquakes will come, along with wars and famines, but “the end is not yet,” and “all this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs.” (See also parallels in Mark 13:8 & Luke 21:11.)
Matthew 27:51-54. When Jesus died, along with tearing of the Temple curtain, “the earth shook, and the rocks were split.” Resulted in opening of tombs. V. 54: When the centurion and others “saw the earthquake and what took place,” they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
Acts 16:26 – Paul & Silas in prison in Philippi: “Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken.”
Revelation 6:12 – “When he opened the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake.” Also, the sun became black and the moon like blood. Anticipates the outpouring of the wrath of God and of the Lamb.
Revelation 8:5 – In anticipation of blowing of seven trumpets, “there were peals of thunder, voices, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.”
Revelation 11:13 – In the interlude between the 6th & 7th trumpets, “there was a great earth-quake, and a tenth of the city (Jerusalem?) fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.”
Revelation 11:19 – “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; and there were flashes of lightning, voices, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.”
Revelation 16:18 – At the outpouring of the 6th bowl (of God’s wrath): “And there were flashes of lightning, voices, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as had never been since men were on the earth.” “Babylon” (Rome) is split into three parts as God’s wrath is poured out.
Background:
In ancient Greece, earthquakes were regarded as bad omens. Philosophers attributed them to congestion of the air or the movement of subterranean water. Astrologers related them to signs of the zodiac and tried to make out what they predicted. They were commonly thought to accompany theophanies (appearances or manifestations of the divine).
In the OT (mentioned only in the Prophets & Writings), earthquakes appear usually in connection with some manifestation of God’s presence, such as when God marches out to holy war on behalf of His people. The Day of the Lord brings a shaking of heaven and earth.
The motif of shaking of the heavens and earth is common in later Jewish apocalyptic writings (approx. 400 B.C. to 100 A.D.).
In the NT, earthquakes are always indicative of divine intervention (as at Jesus’ death and resurrection, Paul & Silas in prison in Philippi). In Matt. 27:51ff the earthquake symbolizes Christ’s shattering of the power of death.
Summary:
1. In Scripture earthquakes signify:
A. God’s presence (as at Mt. Sinai with giving of the Law)
B. God’s sovereignty (He can do as He wills with His creation)
C. God’s intervention (a sign that He is present to deliver His people):
(1) From their enemies (Israel; Paul & Silas)
(2) From sin (accomplished through Jesus’ death)
(3) From persecution (Revelation)
2. “What about earthquakes today?”
A. Not “signs of the end,” since Jesus said, “not yet” and “but the beginning” (Matt.
24:7-8 & parallels in Mk. & Lk.)
B. But, they are signs that the end is coming. They remind us that this earth is not
permanent. Thus, earthquakes (and other natural disasters) are not predictors
of the time of the end, but they are warnings of its certainty.
C. Earthquakes are one aspect of the “groaning of creation” due to its “bondage to
decay,” resulting from human sin (Romans 8:18-23/Genesis 3:17-19).
D. Earthquakes serve as an opportunity for Christians to express our faith to others,
that this world is destined to come to a violent end, and of the need to be ready.
E. Earthquakes (& other “natural disasters”) challenge us to trust in the Creator of heaven &
earth, that in spite of all that happens, He is still in control, & will keep His word to His people.
Tommy South
Glen Allen Church of Christ
Glen Allen, VA