Earthquakes, Tsunamis and the Future

Japan is terribly maimed by the twin disasters of earthquake and tsunami, the one causing the other. Loss of life apparently numbers in the thousands. The Japanese economy is crippled and its stock market has taken a blow. Further trouble lurks in unstable nuclear power plants causing massive evacuations, wafting radioactivity windward and spooking off shore aid vessels, which detected radiation above acceptable norms.

For the Bible student, especially those prophetically alert few, this tragedy focuses on end-time disasters with extreme clarity. Christ and the prophets forecast a uniquely troublous time of Tribulation following the return of Christ for His church. We are likely in the lead-up time now. Consider these several prophetic texts:

“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 – emphasis mine)

In the last year, terrible earthquakes have hit Haiti, Chile, New Zealand and now Japan.

“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 (the sea or oceans) and the waves (crests or swells) roaring (a loud or confused noise)…” (Luke 21:25)

The sound of the tsunami as it carried houses, vehicles and all matter of debris inland would have been something no one there had heard before.

“So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.” (Rev. 16:2)

The word “sore” may be interpreted as a kind of ulcerous affliction. Radiation sickness may be implied. Radiation from damaged nuclear plants could fall in snow, rain or in the open air.

“‘For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’” (Rev. 18:17)

This verse is speaking specifically of rebuilt Babylon, but it indicates that a major economy can collapse in a very brief period of time. If multiple natural catastrophes occurred in our day, the global economy could collapse “in an hour.”

“For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” (Romans 8:22)

“Groan” is to moan in pain as a woman would in childbirth. The imperfection of the earth is clearly seen in the crushing deadly influences of plate action and erupting volcanoes. Weather disasters such as hurricanes, heat waves and flooding are also results of an imperfect global condition.

A cross reference truth here is that Genesis 7:11, 12 recounts a subterranean collapse, perhaps a lowering of the land mass, in Noah’s day. “…the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.” It has been noted that under normal circumstances, rain will not fall for 40 straight days. Evidently these underground water reservoirs and perhaps volcanic action pumped huge amounts of moisture into the atmosphere to cause this long rain.

“Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.” (Rev. 6:14) “Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.” (Rev 16:20)

Interestingly, Japan is an island, and the earthquake moved the land mass eight feet to the east. If the mountains fell and floods converged, we would have a precise fulfillment of these verses.

“After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.” (Revelation 7:1)

Violent winds will need to be restrained. The intensity of the earthquake altered the earth’s axis by four inches. While not overly dangerous, several similar episodes could alter the earth’s behavior enough to change wind speed and climate.

“For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Matt 24:38- 39)

Looking forward to the surprise of the Second Coming for unbelievers, this word of Christ recounts the incredible surprise that came to the unsaved population in Noah’s day. The Japanese tsunami swept people away without warning in minutes, a caution to anyone to be ready for death at any time by previously trusting Christ as Savior.

Recent news articles report the possibility of a huge tsunami destroying a presumed “Atlantis” civilization in southern Spain 2,600 years ago. Not only that, but huge solar flares are reported on the sun’s surface that could disrupt global communications systems. North Korea is working on an electromagnetic pulse bomb which, if exploded 25 miles above the US, could instantly wipe out most of our communications.

We are also being warned of approaching asteroids that could destroy huge areas if they impacted earth. Mark 13:25 says, “And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.” Rev. 6:13 adds, “And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casts her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.” Every New Testament usage of the word translated as “star” is the Greek word “aster,” from which we get the word asteroid.

When these prophecies were given, there was little or no common scientific thought or evidence of their fulfillment. Writing from exile, John, an ordinary fisherman turned believer, forecast astonishing events beyond his ability to imagine or even understand. Yet, faithful to God’s divine inspiration, he wrote it all down. In the case of Christ, He made all creation (John 1:3, Col. 1:17 and Heb. 1:3), and He could forecast whatever would happen to the material creation.

All the strange predictions of end-time earth catastrophes can now be effected either by accelerating natural disasters or the abuse of modern technology. If multiples of these combined, ultimate terror would ensue. They likely all will coincide in the Great Tribulation, which will follow the removal of the Church when Christ comes for His redeemed people.

In a time when "men’s heart [will fail] them for the thing coming upon the earth” as Christ predicted (Luke 21:26), believers in Christ may have “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” and which “will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).

Dave Virkler