Volcanoes, Earthquakes and End-Times

Catastrophes of epic proportions lurk around the globe in volcanoes. A tragic example is the eruption in Iceland on the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, which may incite a sister volcano nearby to also erupt.

Volcanoes can belch death and devastation with lava flows of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, huge chunks of flaming debris, poisonous gases, floods from melting ice and fine airborne particles spewed over vast parts of the globe, which can cause havoc with air and ground travel and even breathing. In this case, the potential for deadly aircraft mechanical failures halted all air traffic over Europe resulting in thousands of stranded passengers and incalculable economic loss. An immediate insult on top of injury was the disruption of travel for many heads of state who could not attend the sad funeral ceremony for Poland’s president.

The problem is just the tip of the iceberg if not the tip of the glacier. Geologists note that nearby volcanoes under the ice cap in Iceland may be agitated into eruptions with further global consequences. There are some 1,500 active surface volcanoes and 10,000 oceanic volcanoes.

Underwater volcanoes, according to Dr. Stanley Williams, are more dangerous owing to the water pressure keeping them capped until a massive explosion. There is an ominous link between volcanic eruptions and floods and tidal waves caused by landslides either above or below the sea. An example is the Canary Islands, where a substantial eruption would likely set off a massive landslide sending a tsunami wave as high as 300 feet racing across the Atlantic toward North America.

An almost comic result of a volcanic ash cloud is that it can reduce global temperatures. As one commentator put it, “We went from warnings of global warming to warnings of possible global cooling in about a day.” It is a subtle reminder of Proverbs 27:1: “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.”

In the Bible, volcanoes are clearly seen from Genesis to Revelation with a few terrifying examples between.

Criticism has been leveled at the Genesis account of the Flood with some charging that 40 days of rain is impossible atmospherically. The Bible says that “all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.” Forty days later, “the fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were also stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained.” (Gen. 7:11-12, 8:2).

Underwater earthquakes with volcanic action could have lowered sea bottom. As the volcanic action poked through the surface, it could have shot steamy water vapors skyward causing torrential rains for the 40-day period.

Fast-moving modern natural phenomena may fulfill ancient prophecies very quickly.
Christ’s prediction of end-time events found in Matthew, Mark, Luke and Revelation anticipates global catastrophe, likely from earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis.

“And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. … 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…” (Luke 21:11, 25)

Revelation has five major references to earthquakes with Rev. 16:18 telling of the mother of them all: “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.”

While not using the term “volcano,” Rev. 8:8-9 seems to anticipate that. “Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.”

Further, Rev. 8:7 says, “The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.” This hail and fire and bloody seawater (also in Rev. 16:3) may be the result of horrendous underwater volcanic activity.

Matt. 24:29 foretells a time when “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.” Darkened means “obscured,” which is what volcanic ash would indeed do.

With recent earthquakes in Haiti, Chile, Indonesia and China and now the volcano in Iceland, we may be pressing fast toward that Tribulation period of multiple catastrophes. At the very least, we may have current substantiation that the commotions recorded in Genesis and anticipated in Revelation are not figurative but literal both past and future.

Paul’s inspired assessment of present creation is totally accurate. “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” (Rom 8:20-22)

The good news of the Gospel is that we are reborn as new spiritual creations. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

This fits us for the coming recreation of earth. “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’” (Rev. 21:1-4)

Dave Virkler