#978

Epic Quake, Eternal Stakes

Shaking Things Up

On July 29th a massive earthquake hit the Russian area of Kamchatka causing tsunami warnings all over the Pacific ocean area with warnings in Hawaii and California. It was an 8.8 on the Richter scale making it the 5th strongest earthquake in recorded history so this one is notable just for that. I know I got social media requests to pray for people almost immediately who were sent tsunami warnings and I took it seriously. We call these things natural disasters and insurance companies categorize them as acts of God although I don’t particularly like that term since they should be called acts of Adam and Eve since the whole world groans because of original sin, but I digress. The overall point is that even with all our new fangles technology, we really can’t predict these earth shaking events with any accuracy other than to tell people in historically earthquake prone areas to basically have certain things on hand, but that’s only if they survive one. In an article from the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) we read this advice for being ready for an earthquake:

To prepare for an earthquake, start by securing your space. Anchor heavy furniture and appliances to the walls, store breakable items in low cabinets, and ensure water heaters and gas lines are properly secured to prevent tipping or leaks. Next, assemble an emergency kit that includes at least three days’ worth of water (one gallon per person per day), non-perishable food, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first aid kit, essential medications, important documents, some cash, and a phone charger. Make a family emergency plan by choosing both nearby and out-of-area meeting points, teaching everyone how to communicate—especially via text if networks are overloaded—and learning how to shut off gas, water, and electricity if needed.

During an earthquake, remember to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On." Stay indoors if you’re inside, taking cover under sturdy furniture and away from windows. If you’re outside, move to an open space away from buildings, trees, or power lines. After the shaking stops, check for injuries and hazards around you. Listen to emergency broadcasts or phone alerts for updates, and stay prepared for aftershocks, which can follow the main quake. Staying calm and prepared can make a critical difference.

Mind you this only helps if you actually have any semblance of warning and if you aren’t in a place where you can survive. If you live in a poor area with no strong buildings, well, your best bet is to have a close relationship with God, but I’m getting a tad ahead of myself saying that.

Preparing For A Tsunami

Getting ready for a large wave of rushing water or a tsunami may give you a little time to prepare, but even that isn’t always a saving grace. Here is how you can do that:

To prepare for a tsunami, first know whether you live, work, or frequently visit a coastal area that could be affected. Learn your community’s evacuation routes and identify high ground at least 100 feet above sea level or two miles inland. Plan multiple escape paths in case roads are damaged and practice the route with your family. Assemble an emergency kit with water, food, a flashlight, a radio, batteries, first aid supplies, essential documents, and any necessary medications. Store it in a waterproof bag that’s easy to grab quickly.

If you feel an earthquake in a tsunami-prone area, or hear official warnings (sirens, alerts, or text messages), evacuate immediately to higher ground—don’t wait for visual confirmation of a wave. If you’re near the shore and the water suddenly recedes or behaves strangely, this is a natural warning—get away fast. Never return until authorities declare it safe, as tsunamis often come in multiple waves spaced minutes or hours apart. Awareness, quick action, and having a plan in place are your best defense against a tsunami.

In this last earthquake the tsunami warnings were far more dire than the actual harm done which is more an act of God than anything else. Still as anyone who’s had a flooded basement will attest water damage is no walk in the park.

A Very Big One

For the purposes of this lesson I just wanted to note that while this was a big quake and that Bible prophecy predicts larger and more frequent ones before Jesus returns (see Matthew 24:7-8), when He does return it will cause a massive earthquake as we read in an article from gotquestions.org:

Zechariah 14:4 predicts, “On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the Mount moving north and half moving south.” “That day” is a reference to the Day of the Lord, and the One who stands on the mountain is the Lord Himself. So, yes, this passage predicts the second coming of Christ. The opening of Zechariah 14 speaks of a future day when Jerusalem will be plundered by its enemies. Verse 2 prophesies that all nations will gather against Jerusalem and capture and ransack the city. Half of the citizens of Jerusalem will flee the devastation, but the other half will remain. This will be one half of the one third of the Jewish population still alive in Jerusalem after the Tribulation (13:8). Then, Zechariah says, the Lord Himself will go forth and engage these opponents in battle (14:3). Verse 4 speaks of the Messiah standing on the Mount of Olives, a hill near Jerusalem on the east. The mountain will split, creating an enormous valley. Since none of this has taken place yet, the prophecy points to a future time.

The book of Revelation describes the same event:

A parallel passage tells of the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-21). Revelation 16:18-21 predicts horrible events at the end of the Tribulation when the seventh bowl is poured out:

“Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. . . . Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. From the sky huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds each fell upon men. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.”

This is a future event that definitely predicts what many call “The Big One” although they probably don’t see it that way. However, as Christians we know that Jesus is the ultimate victor in this one:

The earthquake in Revelation could very well speak of the event described in Zechariah when the Mount of Olives splits in two. Jesus the Messiah will cause an earthquake at His second coming that will serve as part of the destruction of God’s enemies. The outcome of this battle is never in doubt: Christ will be the victor, Israel’s enemies will be destroyed, and the beast (Antichrist) and false prophet will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:11-21).

The Ultimate Preparation

As I described earlier there are steps that can be taken to be ready for an earthquake or tsunami but one can never be totally protected from both of these natural disasters. In the event of an 8.8 level earthquake the very best thing you can do is be right in your heart with God and pray for His protection. Recovering from these things can take months and years and there are some places where relocating is the only option. An article from 2023 states that some 30,000 Japanese citizens still can’t return to their homes after the 2010 Fukushima 9.0 earthquake. Japan is one of the most prepared nations in the world for such events mainly because they are the most prone to having them. Still, no one can be totally safe from these enormous rumblings. But over time places and people can move on with their lives. But when it comes to eternity the percentage of making it is very high as long as you take the simple preparations beforehand. And it’s free, well for you it’s free. You see, to be ready for eternity all you need to do is ask Jesus, who paid the price for your sins to forgive those sins and then commit to live the rest of your life making Him the Lord of your life. God’s done all the heavy lifting for you. And He’s preparing a mansion for you as well, one that is earthquake and tsunami proof. On this subject I would agree salvation is truly an act of God.