When the Ground Moves...

My visit with Karin is winding down and we've had a great time.  I'll be sharing a photo album with you when I get home, Lord-willing... 

I grew up here in Southern California and have experienced many earthquakes.  When I married, I moved to the Bay Area, lived 200 yards away from the Hayward fault, and experienced several more earthquakes.  Tim and I then moved to Washington nine years later, and yes, we've been through even more earthquakes.  I've experienced big earthquakes and small earthquakes.  The bigger they are, the scarier they are.  On two previous visits with Karin, I've experienced earthquakes.  One happened last May while I was down, and another about twenty-five years ago.  Needless to say, I could tell you many earthquakes stories.  I've even got an embarrassing earthquake story...  When you are at your brother-in-law's house and there is an earthquake...remember to grab a robe...if you are in your skivvies...before you run out into the hallway...because he is probably going to run into the hallway too. (Hallways and doorways are supposed to be safer than in the middle of the room...)

A friend sent me an email article a couple of days ago.  It was about a mega earthquake that is being predicted in one of the America's, in the next couple of weeks.  I guess scientists are making an educated guess based upon increasing subtle electromagnetic signals that are being detected in the earth's upper atmosphere over many regions of the world.  The most intense right now are over the US western coastal and midwest regions.  Apparently, the quake that occurred in Christchurch, New Zealand was predicted based on similar electromagnetic readings.  One scientist explained his method for predicting earthquakes.  It is based on the alignment of the planets.  He said at the moment Jupiter and Saturn are on either side of the sun and are creating a tug of war with Earth in the middle.  That is why there have been several 7+ earthquakes recently.  On March 20th, the moon is supposed to be in a trigger position, so that is why a mega quake is being predicted.  

Jesus did say that an increase in earthquakes would be one of the signs that His return is approaching.  (MT. 24:7) He is even going to use a mega quake to announce His imminent presence, that He is about to gather the elect and then pour out His wrath on the wicked.  Not only will the natural lights go out, the earth will shake tremendously.  Those who have taken the mark will cower in fear at the presence of the Lord and desire to be swallowed up by the quake.  (Rev. 6:12-17)  At this point, we are to look up because our redemption is near.  (Luke 21:25-28)  The Lord's glory will then break through the darkness and shaking and we, His chosen, will be gathered by His reapers, the angels.  (Mt. 24:29-31)

The big earthquakes are noisy, like the sound of a freight train, and when the ground is shuddering beneath your feet, your heart begins to race.  But the sixth seal earthquake is an earthquake I will look forward to in great anticipation, if I am in the generation that sees the revealing of Antichrist, when he exalts himself as God in the temple.  Those who witness this exaltation by Antichrist, will be the generation that experiences this mega quake at His return.  (Mt. 24:32-34)  

Earthquakes are in God's plan.  He knows how long, how strong, and how frequent they will be.  He determines who will live and who will die by them.  When the wicked dies, He does not take pleasure in their deaths.  When His children die, their deaths are precious to Him.  To experience an earthquake is to experience the power of God.  Earthquakes remind us that we are to fear Him.  Knowing that He has said there is going to be one that announces His return demonstrates His power and control over them. Is there going to be a mega quake in one of the America's in the next few days?  Only the Lord knows, but whenever they occur, it should cause us to be in awe of Him, and I think this is one of the reasons - they are in His plan....