Evidence: Earthquakes Foretell Tribulation

Jesus predicted that prior to His return, there would be an increase of large earthquakes worldwide.

While earthquakes have been a part of human history since the dawn of time, large earthquakes have been increasing in frequency and ferocity in recent decades.

His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?   (Matthew 24:3)  Jesus answered “…There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.” (Matt 24:7) “There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands.”  (Luke 21:11)  “…There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world”  (Mark 13:8).

The US Geological service and other scientific earthquake authorities have shown that the number of earthquakes above 6.0 on the richter scale have grown exponentially over the last 10 years. (Source:  US Geological Service significant earthquake data page & The Horizon Project)

• The overall frequency of annual earthquakes has grown by five times since 1970.

• There have been more earthquakes above 6.5 on the richter scale in the last 10 decade, than the previous 80 years put together.

(Source:  US Geological Service historical worldwide earthquake quake data &http://www.earth.webecs.co.uk)

Even a look at the last the United States Geological yearly data from the previous 20 years shows a startling increase in both the number of earthquakes and the destructive results.

• Earthquakes measuring 6.0 to 6.9 on the richter scale grew significantly as there were 980 quakes in the 1980s and 1467 in the previous decade.
• Earthquakes measuring 7.0 to 7.9 on the richter scale grew from 101 quakes in the 1980s to 133 in the previous decade.
• Large quakes measuring above 8.0 on the richter scale tripled from 4 quakes in the 1980s to 13 in the previous decade.
• The data from prior to the 80s shows an even more significant increase when compared to the previous decade.

We are already well on track in the first few years of this decade to surpass the entire number of earthquakes above 8.0 in the 1980s injust two years.

Of the most powerful earthquakes in recorded history, 3 of the 10 have occurred in the past seven years and 6 of the 10 most powerful quakes ever have occurred in our lifetime (Source:  “NPR: Weeks, the Recorded History of Quakes is a Long One“)

• Magnitude 9.0 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN March 11, 2011
• Magnitude 8.8 OFFSHORE BIO-BIO, CHILE February 27, 2010
• Magnitude 9.1 OFF THE WEST COAST OF NORTHERN SUMATRA December 26, 2004

Large quakes affecting a variety of regions generated a  cost of $218B in disaster relief in 2010 which was the highest number in decades. (Source:  AFP)

The Bible also speaks of tsunamis taking place in the same context of the end times.  Jesus stated in Luke 21:25:  “And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides“.  Two of the greatest tsunamis (or tidal waves) in history took place in the previous 7 years.

• The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami killed over 230,000 people in 14 countries and caused $14 billion dollars of damage.   The waves were an estimated 30 meters (100 feet) tall when they slammed into Indonesia.  (Source:  Wiki)

• The 2011 Great Earthquake of Japan generated a giant tsunami that killed over 15,000 people and destroyed 125,000 buildings in northeastern Japan.  It is estimated to become the most costly natural disaster in human history.  (Source:  Reilly, Michael  “Japan’s quake updated to magnitude 9.0″)

Unfortunately the trend of large earthquakes in the pacific rim will continue to create the potential for future tsunamis.

Clearly there is strong evidence to show that  large earthquakes are on the increase in a variety of regions around the world.  The evidence presented above reflects that in recent times, large earthquakes are becoming more common and have caused catastrophic damage.   Incidentally, the trend of increasing large earthquakes referenced by Jesus has taken place simultaneously with the other signs mentioned in the Bible.  Jesus stated that when we saw all of these things taking place, we would know that his return was very near.