After a long career in emergency management with a strong emphasis on earthquakes, and as a student of Biblical prophecy for many years as well, I have come to believe there are some typical ways speakers and writers on this topic are not as helpful as I’m sure they mean to be.
There tend to be several reasons these discussions go astray. Part of it is likely due to a lack of Biblical studies on this topic. Often there’s also a lack of knowledge about some of the scientific basics, as well as a partially blurred understanding about modern patterns of global seismicity. When these factors converge, it can compound the problem.
A lot of believers point to Jesus’ words in the Olivet Discourse, saying there will be earthquakes “in diverse places” (Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11). At first glance, this seems mostly about raw numbers and locations. But from that alone, however, how would earthquakes in the end times be distinguishable from those that happen naturally already and at unpredictable times? If not distinguishable in some way, there’d be no point in mentioning them. But there is also a big clue, one that I believe we need to know, in one of these passages that differs from the other two. Stay tuned!
I hope for your patience as I try to explain how many of these discussions go off track. I aim to show there’s a strong connection between one scientific term and how that term is used in the Bible regarding the end times. That single word in the Bible is connected to Resurrection Sunday, as well as notable peaks in the entire prophetic picture from beginning to end.
Let’s start by looking first at where many of these discussions tend to go astray.
Problem #1: Vagueness
For many years I’ve heard various voices in the prophetic field say things like, “There’s been an increase in the number of earthquakes lately.” However, much of the time this kind of statement has not been qualified in any sort of way, such as what magnitude range, what areas of the globe, comparative time periods that are being considered, or anything else by which to measure whether the statement is true or not.
My theory is that because so many of the other prophetic indicators are so strong and converging so visibly in our current day, effort is being made to make the earthquake piece fit. But we are not supposed to try to force-fit things into what the Bible actually says. Instead, we are to FIRST learn what the Bible has to say about an issue, and THEN watch and see if what we observe does fit – at least to whatever level we can discern, more or less. But to evaluate, we absolutely need more information and criteria than just “there have been more earthquakes lately.”
Problem #2: A lack of understanding WHICH earthquakes matter in Biblical prophecy
I submit that the Bible, in fact, does point us to what criteria to look for, and there will be more on this later.
In the meantime, a couple of basics: Rates of seismicity will vary up and down over time, so noting a “recent increase” in the number or frequency of earthquakes is not only vague, but it can very often be just plain inaccurate if the person doesn’t have at least a passing familiarity with what is within normal limits and what is not. For instance, there will be a reasonably predictable increase in aftershocks for a considerable length of time after quakes over certain magnitude levels. It is not at all unusual, for instance, to see a notable uptick in aftershocks for at least six months after even moderate quakes and longer cycles for higher-magnitude ones. It’s basically business as usual.
Also, magnitude absolutely matters. Smaller magnitude quakes happen much more frequently than moderate or large magnitude ones, and their frequency rates also vary much more during any specific time frame. Even more importantly, when it comes to prophecy, the Bible distinguishes between ordinary background quakes and what is known as a “great” quake.
Problem #3: Outright Factual Errors
Recently I nearly fell out of my chair with shock when listening to an otherwise very reliable and trusted prophecy source online. The person started with the same approach used by many that I’ve already mentioned – a vague reference to an increase in global quake activity “recently.” That I could brush off because it’s so common. But then he went on to assert that there were 18 quakes that were M8.0 or greater in 2016. He mentioned he was a little uncertain if he remembered the exact year correctly, but the issue for me was not just whether he got the year right or not. The problem was that his information was just plain false.
There has not been a single year with 18 quakes at or greater than M8.0 “recently.” Even if his citation of 2016 had been correct, it’s still the better part of ten years ago. And for a fact, there has not been any single year since at least 2004 in which there were 18 quakes at or larger than M8.0.
In the entire eleven-year span covering 2015 through 2025, there were only eight at or over M8.0. The highest number in a single year was three in 2021. None of these quakes were out of bounds as to normal statistical variations.
Between December 2004 and early June of 2014, a period of not quite ten years, there were 18 at or greater than 8.0. However, they were spread out over that whole span of time, and definitely not that many in a single year. Furthermore, although I have not gone back recently to check the stats, my career focus on earthquakes has been such, and for such a long time, that I am fairly certain I would remember if there had at any time been 18 earthquakes in a single year at or greater than 8.0 for at least 20 years before that.
In short, the period between late December 2004 and early June of 2014 had a considerably larger number of 8.0 or larger quakes than 2015 and 2025, and in a shorter time frame. It’s important to understand, therefore, that seismic activity in the M8.0+ range has in truth declined, and not increased, in the most recent period.
Science helps explain why the magnitude matters
You may be wondering why I keep identifying magnitudes “at M8.0 or greater.” For one thing, any earthquake of that size is scientifically labeled as a “great” quake. That terminology ties in very nicely with how the Bible describes and distinguishes earthquakes of prophetic significance. But before I explain further, let me elaborate a bit about what happens when an earthquake of M8.0+ occurs anywhere around the globe.
The forces are so powerful that great quakes cause the entire Earth to wobble on its axis. They also ever so slightly speed up the rotation of the earth, thus shortening our days (see also Matthew 24:22 KJV).
Also, there is danger in not realizing how quickly the forces scale up, especially if changes in magnitude are viewed only through the lens of the Richter scale, which multiplies by a factor of 10 for each change in magnitude. From a Richter perspective, then, an 8.0 is only 100 times more “powerful” than a 6.0 (10 x 10). But that vastly underestimates how much power and energy are involved, which is actually over 1,000 times more forceful. A difference that has also been described in National Geographic and other sources as over 1,000 times more powerful than the atomic bomb over Hiroshima.
Another basic: It is also not entirely correct to say that earthquakes “release” stress. Stress isn’t ever truly and fully released – it just gets transferred to another spot and/or other areas. The greater the magnitude, especially if the event is deep, the greater the distances in which those forces can transfer. Even in the low M7s, seismic effects have often been traceable as much as 1,000 or more miles away.
Great quakes are also always accompanied by catastrophic secondary effects, such as the massive tsunamis that occurred in the December 2004 (Great Sumatran) and March 2011 (Great Tohoku) quakes. The latter event also caused the meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear reactor. Those two great quakes are good examples of what will happen during the Tribulation.
The one-word “key” that can help unlock our understanding
It does come down to the use of that one word, “great.” It is the key we need. There are numerous references to earthquakes in the Bible and/or to the idea of a “shaking.” Some references can be easily read quite literally, about physical quakes on the present earth, and some seem to be more descriptive of events in the spiritual realm. However, if you separate those earthquakes that are preceded by the word “great” in the texts, a pattern becomes much easier to see.
In the span between the opening and closing verses of the Bible:
- There are eight references that specifically refer to “great” earthquakes.
- There are two additional mentions that are likely referencing great earthquakes as well, one by implication and one by actual description.
- Out of the ten total references, four are from the Old Testament and six from the New Testament.
- All ten references tend to show up in most translations. There are potentially a couple of others I will, for now, ignore, as those references are not nearly as consistent across as many translations.
- All but two of the references accompany a key event and/or spiritual transition in prophecy. And one of those remaining two can easily be understood as pointing to the rapture.
So now let’s take a closer look at these references, both direct and indirect, but not necessarily in their order of appearance, and beginning with the weakest one first.
A great quake implied:
“The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake” (Amos 1:1).
Although the word “great” does not appear directly in the text, the scale of the earthquake had to be quite notable for it to be mentioned in the context of a two-year time gap. One of the aspects of a great quake is that the g-forces are strong enough that people right on top of the fracture can actually be tossed in the air, much like in an explosion. In addition to the extreme damages, entrapments and injuries from such quakes, survivors will remember that experience and the overwhelming loss of their own bodily control.
When we consider the passage is about judgment coming to Israel’s enemies, which is a repeating theme throughout the Word, it seems wise to include this reference by implication as very possibly being a great quake. It also ties in quite well with Chapter 3 of Joel and the final judgment of the nations in Revelation. Most importantly, it is directly associated with the Second Coming as prophesied in Zechariah, as we shall later see.
The Olivet Discourse:
As mentioned earlier, there is a wording difference in the three accounts of the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11) in how Jesus responded to the disciples’ questions about the end of the age. The Matthew and Mark versions mention earthquakes “in diverse (or various) places” without the word “great.” Both passages also connect them with famine.
However, the Luke version does identify the earthquakes as being in the “great” category. It also adds pestilence in addition to famine. “There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences” (Luke 21:1). Notice the change in wording also removes the “various” (or “diverse”) places from being associated with the locations of those earthquakes and seems to apply it instead to the famines and pestilences.
This brings us back to my original point that we need to question what it is that will be distinctive about the end-times earthquakes that we should be able to recognize. The wording in Luke suggests that location itself may NOT be the only or most critical factor. So, we are left with that distinctive word “great.”
At the Resurrection:
There was an earthquake at the cross, and an earthquake at the Resurrection. But across the gospels, as written in most translations, there is one verse that varies from the others. “And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it” (Matthew 28:2). It is the very first occurrence in the New Testament of using the word “great” to describe an earthquake. The single most significant event of all time, and an undeniable fulfillment of prophecy. It was a literal and spiritual shaking!
In fact, when you consider that in a great quake people would have been tossed in the air, many would have been injured or trapped, and fear and devastation widespread, how is it that no one talked about this earthquake and instead talked only about this Jesus? It is one of the greatest arguments for apologetics that all they could see and talk about was Christ.
But don’t let that mislead you into thinking there was not an actual earthquake and that the reference was only an allegory. Scientists have proved there was, in fact, a great quake on the very day of His resurrection. If you can stay tuned, I will also later share a personal experience where I believe God confirmed the centrality of the Resurrection earthquake through the timing of another less powerful event.
Setting the prisoners free:
The next occurrence in the New Testament of a great quake is in Acts 16:15-26. “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.”
While this was also a literal earthquake, you can’t miss the two metaphors. When we come to Christ, we are set free. In addition, this is also suggestive of the rapture, when we will leave behind the bonds of this earth. It connects well to Revelation 3:8, “Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.” That same letter to the Church at Philadelphia confirms the pre-tribulation rapture viewpoint: “… I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.”
The Throne Room:
Ezekiel’s vision in 3:12-13 not only uses the word “great” to describe the earthquake, but he is also “lifted up” into the glory of heaven – a picture of the rapture. “Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great earthquake: ‘Blessed be the glory of the Lord from its place!’ It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures as they touched one another, and the sound of the wheels beside them, and the sound of a great earthquake.”
The Ezekiel 38-39 war:
“On that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel” (Ezekiel 38:19). Furthermore, one of the consequences of that great quake will be that “… and every wall shall tumble to the ground.” This is quite interesting because there are known earthquake vulnerabilities to the Dome of the Rock. It is well within what we know from science and engineering about damages to structures to form a reasonable speculation that the platform and Dome of the Rock could be in dust within probably less than two minutes in an actual great quake. If this were to happen, it would then accelerate the debris removal and rebuilding of the third temple.
The Tribulation:
While there are many earthquakes during the tribulation, there are three that are specifically identified as great. Each one is at the end of a level of judgment as it escalates to the next phase: The 7th seal (Revelation 6:12), the 7th trumpet (Revelation 11:13), and the 7th bowl judgment (Revelation 16:18).
The Second Coming:
“On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him” (Zechariah14:4-5).
Although the specific words are missing, the sheer power described here is unmistakably that of a great earthquake. Furthermore, the main African-Syrian fault line and other geological features are such that it is entirely credible and consistent with what science would suggest as to the splitting from east to west. Notice, too, here the reference to the earthquake in the days of Uzziah, connecting this back to the Amos passage with which we started.
The lesson from the ten passages:
These passages all either use a direct reference to “great” earthquakes or clearly describe or imply the same. These events are all differentiated from earthquakes of lesser magnitude. Each one involves a major prophetic event.
As we look for signs of the end, we need to avoid thinking that normal seismic events are more important than they really are. There are numerous factors we could discuss as to how to further differentiate, but we need to first realize that when God speaks prophetically through earthquakes, He isn’t just messing around with the ordinary. In recent years, I believe He’s been messaging His own. But we are close to the time when He will speak in such a way no one will miss that it is He.
Resurrection Sunday 2010 – A Personal Story:
On March 16, 2010, I was housesitting for a friend in Sierra Madre, on the upper edge of the San Gabriel Valley urban-mountain interface in Southern CA (near Pasadena). At exactly 4:44 in the morning, a small 4.4 earthquake hit Pico Rivera, CA. It was somewhat unusual to feel the shaking of such a small event given my distance from the epicenter. The first thing that came into my head (oddly) was, “Thank you, God.” The only way to describe it is to say that it felt like some sort of message from Him, confirming how real He really is. Other than that, I didn’t really know what to make of it.
Later, I went on a business call at the home of a customer I knew to be a believer. In the middle of our business conversation, she abruptly asked me if I thought God had been saying something through the 4.4 event at 4:44 in the morning. I said yes, but I didn’t know what it meant. I asked her if she knew, and she didn’t have an answer either. We finished up, and I got in my car, backed out of the driveway, and turned into the street to return to my office.
I didn’t get more than half a block before it was like an entire bolt of lightning struck my body physically. My whole body tingled like with fire, my hands flew off the steering wheel, and I started shouting and praising God. (Thankfully, I had only been going about five miles per hour, and also in the midst of this somehow managed to put on the brake.)
What had happened at that minute was an unmistakable “download” in which I became utterly convinced that there would be a notable earthquake on the upcoming Resurrection Sunday, April 4, 2010, just a couple of weeks away – convinced to be probably close to the same degree as that of the Christ followers who died rather than deny Christ’s existence and identity. I didn’t know exactly where it would center, or how big it might be, only that it would be notable in the Southern CA region. Not a single drop of science came into the picture.
I shared this experience selectively with a few believers in my church. On Resurrection Sunday, as I was leaving church, one of them called across the parking lot, mocking me because it hadn’t happened. I basically told him, “The day’s not over yet.” And then I went home and waited for it.
It hit as an M7.2 that afternoon, and although the main fracture was just south of the border, the quake was felt throughout Southern CA by tens of thousands, as documented by the USGS. It did considerable damage in Imperial County and increased the stresses on six major fault lines in Southern CA, including the infamous San Andreas master fault. Earthquake and historical records show that April 4th in 2010 was also likely to be either the anniversary of the actual Resurrection or within 24 hours of it.
Although I’ve had a strong interest in prophecy for many years, I do not have a specific gift of prophecy. I also don’t believe, however, that prophecy is only about predicting future events. Revelation 19:10 tells us that “The testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy.” This means prophecy is first and foremost always about the ONE who is THE TRUTH.
The messages:
Over the years, as I’ve watched, I’ve seen it again and again, almost as if He has been addressing stamped envelopes to those who will listen, either by a name or date that has some association, however loosely, which causes believers to think of Christ:
- The Great Sumatran quake that killed around a quarter of a million people in 14 countries that was on Christmas Day in the West.
- The 2010 Resurrection Sunday quake – because of the date, even though it wasn’t a great quake.
- The global great quakes in the Pacific Rim that have affected well water in Christiansburg, VA.
- The events in Christchurch, New Zealand.
- The times a holiday or the timing of a bad earthquake meant far fewer lives lost than otherwise would have been.
He has been calling man’s attention back to Himself and the absolute centrality of the Cross.
We may have seen fewer great quakes recently, but that can all change in a split moment. The bigger ones in the U.S. that science anticipates are on the West Coast (Cascadia Subduction Zone and/or San Andreas faults especially), or the New Madrid system (central Mississippi River Valley), not to mention many other lesser but very serious fault zones.
Because the Ezekiel 38-39 war aftermath is a full seven years, it could also be that we’re blessedly raptured before that great earthquake in Israel.
“For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).
We can be more careful not to be deceived by thinking seismic events that are within normal patterns are signs of the times. When His Word uses the term “great,” we are to take hold of that word with the utmost seriousness.
“See that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns from heaven. At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, ‘Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:25-29).
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About the author: April Kelcy has had a longtime interest in prophecy and currently leads meetings both in person and remotely to encourage believers to have conversations about the end times. She retired to Spokane, WA after a long career in emergency management in Southern California, where she specialized in all phases of preparing for, surviving and managing recovery from large-scale disasters, and with particular emphasis on earthquake disasters. For more information, you may email her at askelcy@gmail.com