Two small earthquakes measuring around 3 on the Richter Scale hit the Jordan rift valley area yesterday, increasing fears among experts that a major earthquake in the region is long overdue. According to new research published by a Tel Aviv geologist, an earthquake has hit Israel roughly every 400 years according to historical records. The last major quake to occur was in 1033AD. Israel has been hit by a number of small earthquakes this year and last, leading experts to believe that tension is increasing and a major earthquake could strike soon. A panel of geologists stated last November that Israel was not ready to deal with the aftermath of a major earthquake in the region, and believed that such a quake in a built up area could leave as much as 16,000 dead and hundreds of thousands homeless.   

Quote: "Dr. Marco said while Christian sources helped him confirm ancient catastrophes and cast light on future ones, Jewish sources from the Bible gave him small pieces of the puzzle. A verse in Zechariah (Ch. 14) described two instances of earthquakes, one of which split apart the Mount of Olives. This when juxtaposed with ancient correspondence by Muslim clergy further broadened the picture, he said. "Earthquakes are a manifestation of deeper processes inside the earth. My questions and analysis examine how often they occur and whether there is pattern to them, temporally or spatially. I am looking for patterns and I can say that based on ancient records, the pattern in Israel around the Dead Sea region is the most disturbing to us," Dr. Marco said. "When it strikes and it will this quake will affect Amman, Jordan as well as Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem. Earthquakes don't care about religion or political boundaries," he added.

It is very interesting that the geologist in question should mention these verses in the Bible. The Mount of Olives is still intact, and this is one major Scriptural evidence that Christ has not yet returned to earth. Other passages in Zechariah 14 and Ezekiel 47 relating to this earthquake activity are also yet to take place. An underground reservoir in Jerusalem is prophesied to burst, sending forth rivers of living water into the Dead Sea. People say predicting when and where earthquakes will strike is an almost impossible task. But the Bible not only prophesies of several major earthquakes which are yet to occur, but does so in intricate detail, providing death counts (Revelation 11:13), damage reports (Revelation 16:18-19) and subsequent geological upheavals (Zechariah 14). I know of no other such book which makes similar claims, and that is one of the reasons why we know the Bible to be the inspired Word of God.

Isaiah 48:3-5
I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass. Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass; I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.

The Lord states the reasons why He has chosen to reveal the future to us through His Word, to prove that He is God, and to awaken us to our need of Him. Without our sins forgiven, our future will be eternal separation from God and eternal damnation in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15). But God loves you so much, He sent His Son into the world so He could die on a cross for you, taking God's punishment for your sins upon Himself (John 3:16). Those who trust in Jesus Christ for salvation will be with the Lord forever. Those who reject His offer will be judged according to their works, and condemned to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:13). God never sent anyone to hell, people choose to go of their own accord. Choose Jesus Christ today, and place your future in God's hands.

Source Times of India

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