Strange Underwater Earthquakes?

Scientists have been monitoring an odd sounding set of underwater earthquakes using hi-tech submersible microphones. Typically the sounds arise just prior to a volcanic eruption, only there are no volcanoes in the area. So far, about 600 quakes have been detected over the past 10 days, one of which reached 5.4 on the Richter Magnitude Scale.

Meanwhile other experts are saying there is a 99.7% chance that California will experience a large quake, perhaps 6.7 or larger, by the year 2037. The region is one of the most seismically active regions in the world, averaging about 10,000 quakes yearly in Southern California alone. Ned Field, a seismologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Pasadena, and lead author of the report, basically guaranteed the dire prediction for California as a reasonable conclusion, since the number of earthquakes worldwide has risen steadily since the 1970. Even this past week a 5.2 quake struck in Illinois and could be felt as far away as Milwaukee.

The Bible is far from silent on this topic. In Luke 21, Mathew 24, and Mark 13 Jesus related how preparation for the end times would include various signs from nature - including earthquakes. After being questioned about the end of all things, the Savior declared in Mark 13:7-8, “But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.”

But then in Luke 21:20 and 24, Christ shared an additional and highly significant sign. Verse 20 reads, "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. That predictive description was followed in verse 24 by an unmistakable key prophetic element. “And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Many feel that this incredible prediction was fulfilled in 1967 with annexation of Jerusalem after the Six Day War, something that occurred just 19 years after Israel officially became a nation.

Lastly, the Lord said something about the moral climate that would precede His coming. In Luke’s gospel chapter 17, he referenced a tragic time in human history as a comparison. Verse 26 described it as follows. ”And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.”

Certainly it appears that we are living in the “last days”. And while other generations have felt the same, there has never been the convergence of predicted factors as are in place today. For those outside of Christ, this should be a sobering thought if they remain in an unsaved state and destined for a Christ-less eternity.

For the Christian, however, this should serve as a wake up call and the ultimate motivation to heed the exhortation found in 1 Peter 3:15. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”

Bill Breckenridge