90. A Tale of Two Earthquakes

.
I could not let today's 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile to go unmentioned, especially since it comes so soon after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti (the 2nd deadliest one in known history). So, this is officially my first post-sabbatical blogpost.

I have posted three previous times on the subject of earthquakes, which is certainly reasonable and proper to do so, since the focus of this "Future History" blog involves end-time events as mentioned in the Bible, and how current events relate to Biblical prophecies.

Before I comment further here, I'd like to direct your attention to those three previous posts where earthquakes were the major topic. (The word earthquake appears in many other posts however):

Post 31. "Earthquakes and the End Times", where the text of all the Bible prophetic passages about earthquakes are listed, plus a comment about current earthquakes in California. Posted July 10, 2009. Click here to read.

Post 32. "And Another Medium Quake in Calif today", where we discuss the Richter Scale, how it works, and the rating of famous (or infamous) earthquakes. Posted July 11, 2009. Click here to read.

Post 76. "Earthquakes: Are they getting your attention?", where I discuss whether quakes are really more prevalent. Posted October 1, 2009. Click here to read.

Since the contents of the above posts relate closely to the two recent earthquake events, please read them and then continue:

First, before we tackle and compare the human misery element of the two earthquakes, lets discuss the relative strength of the two earthquakes:

How much stronger was the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile than the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti? Lets see: If we divide the smaller 7.0 into the larger 8.8, we get 1.257 -- which means that the Chilean earthquake was 1.257 times stronger than the Haitian quake. Right?

Totally and utterly wrong!! Remember what we said in post #32, that to go up "1.0" on the Richter Scale (like from 5.0 up to 6.0, or from 7.5 up to 8.5), means that the "stronger" hurricane is ten (10) times stronger than the "weaker" hurricane. So the Chilean hurricane is AT LEAST 10 times stronger than the Haitian one, and almost 100 times as strong. But thanks to the miracle of Excel Spreadsheets, we can calculate the exact difference. To go from 7.0 up to 8.8 means the Chile hurricane was 63.1 times as strong as the Haiti earthquake. Trust me and Excel. (I'll post the calculations in a comment below. )

Now regarding human suffering, there are at least two mitigating circumstances as to why, when the Haiti quake killed 250,000 people, that the Chile quake did not kill millions.

First, today's Chile quake was much further underground, and the effect was blunted by the time it reached the surface.

Second, Chile had experienced an even larger earthquake on May 22nd, 1960 -- 9.5 magnitude, 1655 killed, and two million homeless. After that 1960 quake they prepared for "the next big one", with much stricter building codes and standards. As bad as things look now on television, it will turn out that years of Chilean preparation saved their country from a similar ruin in 2010.

I have not much more to add here, but just to note that the second decade of the 2000's is just barely starting, and already we have two massive earthquakes, one as measured by loss of life, and one as measured by the Richter Scale strength of the quake.

Finally, as I pointed out in an earlier post, back in July of 2009, California was averaging about 500 quakes a week of all sizes (most 3.0 magnitude or less). But now, just 6 months later, California is averaging nearly 750 quakes a week of all sizes. Here is the link to the current report: Click here.

My guess is that this will not be the last posting in 2010 on major earthquakes.
.

31. Earthquakes and the End Times

Seven Bible passages and a few current events

Headline today, July 10th, 2009: California 'due for big earthquake' after tremors near San Andreas Fault signal increased stress.

And another today in the Dallas Morning News: 7th earthquake since June rattles Cleburne, TX

California, yes, we’re expecting that one someday – but Texas??

First, let’s do a survey of the scriptures for all the end-time earthquake passages:

1. Ezekiel 38-39 is the main passage that deals with a Russia/Iran alliance with other countries against Israel, that apparently takes place in the early days of the 7-year time of tribulation and chaos.
Ezek 38:19-20 says: For in my jealousy and in my blazing wrath I declare, on that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish […] and the birds […] and the beasts […] and all creeping things […], and all the people who are on the face of the earth, shall quake at my presence. And the mountains shall be thrown down, and the cliffs shall fall, and every wall shall tumble to the ground.
From this passage only you might be surprised to learn that the Russia alliance is demolished by God's direct intervention.

2. Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 are three passages that cover essentially the same issues about earthquakes as the last days draw near:
Matt 24:7 says, …for nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are just the beginning of birth-pangs.
Mark 13 and Luke 21 are almost identical.

3. Revelation 6:12 tells of the opening of the sixth seal (see outline of Revelation)
Rev 6:12 says: When he (the Lamb) opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood...

4. Revelation 8:5 tells of the opening of the seventh seal, and says: Then the angel took the censer* and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it down to the earth. And there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

5. Revelation 11:13 speaks of an event that may be at the middle of the 7-year tribulation period: And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city [Jerusalem] fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

6. Revelation 11:19 tells of the same time period: Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within His temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

7. Revelation 16:18-19 tells of the pouring of the seventh bowl of judgment in the air: And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there has never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city [Jerusalem] was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell…

These are all the passages in the Bible that speak of earthquakes in the end times. (Find another one? Let me know)

Just one thing more about relevant current events:
There have been over 500* earthquakes (of recordable magnitude) in California in the last week. See Cal-Earthquake-Chart

(Note that by Feb 27th, 2010, this figure was up to 750 per week. See blogpost #90.)

Chances are good that the earthquake era is only just beginning.

*censer - Old Testament vessel used for offering incense before God.
*over 500 - this figure continually changes.
.