When will the next massive earthquake strike? And where?
The massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake recently experienced off the island of Sumatra—triggering huge tidal waves—has killed tens of thousands and left millions homeless. It is the most powerful earthquake in 40 years. Millions of people will be affected because of the widespread destruction of homes and property. Now the ominous threat of disease due to water pollution is also a factor. This earthquake is already recognized as one of the greatest natural disasters in recorded history.
But how long until the next big earthquake? The last earthquake of this magnitude or greater struck Prince William Island in Alaska 40 years ago. Most people may assume that disasters of this magnitude strike only every 20 to 40 years. That may have been true in the past. But we have definitely entered a different time—a time which very few truly understand.
You need to understand!
For the Eternal God who created the heavens and earth reveals specific information to those willing to listen. In His inspired Word which we call the Bible, God describes a time just before the return of Jesus Christ to this earth. He calls it "the last days" or the "time of the end." We are definitely living in that time! And in the next very few years you will have come to fully realize this if you have eyes to see and are willing to understand.
This recent enormous earthquake is not a "once in every 40 years" incident! Sadly, it is only among the very first of an entire series of natural disasters which are destined to shake the entire world in a manner never before experienced!
Describing the time just prior to His Second Coming, Jesus tells us, "And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven"(Luke 21:11). A few verses later, Jesus continues, "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken"( vv. 25–26). We are assuredly entering that time. Many more earthquakes—some accompanied by powerful tsunami waves—will strike this earth within the next five to 15 years of your life.
In Isaiah 2, after describing the "latter days" and the time of Christ's return to earth as King of kings, God tells us how He is going to humble all humanity to get them to genuinely "listen" to Him. Describing that time in detail God tells us in Isaiah 2:19, "They shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, from the terror of the Lord and the glory of His majesty, when He arises to shake the earth mightily"! Since this chapter in Isaiah is speaking primarily about the "house of Jacob" (vv. 3, 5), we may be certain that many of the end-time earthquakes will strike the United States and other British-descended nations. So please do not assume that these prophesied disasters will strike primarily at far-off third world countries. For this will not be the case in the future!
The widespread destruction caused a few months ago by a whole series of hurricanes pounding their way through Florida and much of the southeastern United States was only the beginning! For describing this very end-time in which we now live, Jesus Christ stated, "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places" (Matthew 24:6–7).
We are now just beginning to experience the direct intervention of Almighty God to shake the nations until He gets their full attention! May God grant you the humility and the "open mindedness" to be willing to see what God Himself is doing—and who He is using to warn this world of the specific prophecies describing the time in which you live.
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This is an excerpt adapted from Mr. Meredith's recent audio commentary, available on the www.lcg.org and www.tomorrowsworld.org Web site.