Earthquakes
“Shaking, quaking, commotion”
Summary
Seismic disturbances mentioned throughout Scripture, both as historical events and as symbols of divine power, judgment, and the upheaval accompanying God's intervention in human affairs.
☩Historical Earthquakes
Scripture records numerous earthquakes at significant moments. Mount Sinai quaked when God descended upon it with fire. An earthquake accompanied the destruction of Korah and his company when the ground opened to swallow them. During Saul's reign, a trembling came upon the Philistine camp that God used for Israel's deliverance. Elijah witnessed a great earthquake at Horeb, though the Lord was not in the earthquake but in the still small voice that followed. A notable earthquake in Uzziah's reign was remembered for generations, with Zechariah prophesying that people would flee as they fled in that day. An earthquake at Christ's death rent the rocks and opened tombs, prompting the centurion to confess Jesus as the Son of God. Another earthquake occurred at Christ's resurrection when the angel rolled away the stone. At Philippi, an earthquake shook the prison where Paul and Silas were held, opening doors and loosing chains, which led to the jailer's conversion.
☩Symbolic and Prophetic Significance
Earthquakes symbolize God's power over creation, His presence manifested in judgment, and the upheaval of human society. Job acknowledges that God shakes the earth out of its place. The Psalmist describes the earth trembling at God's anger. Prophetically, earthquakes appear frequently in descriptions of the Day of the Lord and the events preceding Christ's return. Jesus listed earthquakes among the signs of the end times. In Revelation, earthquakes accompany the opening of seals, the sounding of trumpets, and the pouring of bowls, culminating in an earthquake greater than any since mankind appeared on earth. Symbolically, such upheavals point to the overthrow of existing social and political orders when God intervenes decisively in history.
Related Verses38 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Earthquake," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.George Morrish, "Earthquake," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).