Earthquake

Rickter Scale

EARTHQUAKE is the shaking of the ground resulting from the release of stored elastic strain energy due to sudden deformation of a region of the earth surface.

The destruction with which earthquake are commonly associated is caused by seismic waves that travel outward in all direction.

The focus of most earthquakes is less than 100 meters below the earth’s surface. The Bible contains numerous facts about earthquake (RA’ASH), the Hebrew word for earthquake, which literally means CRASH [Amos 8:8, 9:5].

The increase of the number of earthquakes is notable:

In 1970s – 40,000 earthquakes /year
In 1980s – 55,000 earthquakes /year
In 1990s – 76,000 earthquakes /year

During the Old Testament times, very destructive earthquakes had occurred in the ancient Palestinian area and most part of the Middle East [Joel 3:16, Amos 1:1 and Zechariah 14:5].

The shaking of the earth is always attributed to God [Psalm 68:8] and to His presence [1 kings 19:11] and to His anger [Isaiah 13:13].

There are several scientific reasons for earthquakes like volcanic and tectonic in origin. An earthquake is the sudden release of elastic strain energy in the earth’s crust, caused by movements deep beneath the surface.

Earthquakes occur where sizeable stresses build up in the rocks along fault lines, which are associated with movements of the tectonic plates. From time to time, this build up is discharged in zones where the rocks are weakest causing a series of shock waves known as seismic waves.

These waves can have high destructive effects on the earth’s surface as they caused the ground to roll or undulate and shake from side to side.

Earthquakes are divine instrument of judgment for the unbelievers who are ignoring or has rejected God’s plan of grace [Amos 1:1, 6:9,11].

Earthquakes are instrument of divine discipline for the carnal and backsliding believers who continue to reject the Bible doctrine.

Earthquakes will increase in numbers and in magnitude as Rapture and the Great Tribulation are nearing it realization.

The worst earthquakes are yet to come during the Great Tribulation. It will break all the record of the strongest earthquakes.

Believers must overcome the fear of future crisis and national disasters such as strong earthquakes.

Spiritually mature believers are not exempted from the effects of destructive earthquakes. For them it is undeserved suffering or disaster testing for blessing not for destruction.

No place on earth is safe from earthquakes. No man-made structure is earthquake proof for the coming series of earthquakes to come.

The only secure and safest place in the world against anything is in the center of God’s will, inside the plan and purpose of His grace. God is our refuge in times of earthquakes.

JR Cherreguine Bible Doctrine Ministries

THE HOPE OF THE BELIEVER

THUS SAYS THE LORD, (being) Curse is the man who put his confidence (trust) in man and makes flesh (old sinful nature) his strength, so that his heart (KARDIA) turns away from the Lord, for he shall be like TUMBLEWEED in the desert [Jeremiah 17:5-6].

BLESSED (being made happy) is the man whose confidence (trust) is in the Lord and whose confidence (trust) is the Lord [Jeremiah 17:7].

Fearful people are like TUMBLEWEED in the desert, they live in the parched places (stony wastes). TUMBLEWEEDS have no roots, they are vulnerable to any wind that blows, and they are being carried in many different directions. PARCHED PLACES refers to spiritual condition of the souls that turned away from God.

It refers to souls that have chosen to trust in man rather than in God and souls that constantly ignores and rejects the Word of God. It refers to the souls that failed to wait upon the Lord and resolved to seek help from man.

Believers who remain REVERSIONISTS will not SEE PROSPERITY (Christian values) when they come [Jeremiah 17:6]. Prosperity in this context refers to spiritual maturity not material wealth.

TUMBLEWEED is a Christian of the world living without God in his life and without Bible doctrine in the soul.

TUMBLEWEED is a person living in fear and insecurity who is always seeking help from just anybody, even from those incapable of providing assistance. They are people or things dependent since their hope is not in God. Their confidence is anchor on self, others or things.

JR Cherreguine Bible Doctrine Ministries