THREE SIGNIFICANT EARTHQUAKES

The recent earthquake in Britain reminded me that three of the most sensational events in history were accompanied by earthquakes.

When God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai we are told that, “The Lord descended upon it in fire!  Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace and the whole mountain quaked greatly.”  And so should we if we have broken any of God’s commands and not repented and asked for forgiveness.  Even sceptics have had to admit that the Ten Commandments are so perfect that no human being could have compiled them.  The giving of the Ten Commandments was an unusual seismic event because it brought much blessing to the world! [ Exodus 19:18 & ch 20 ]

1300 years after Moses, Jesus came down to earth from heaven to make forgiveness possible by dying on the cross and paying the penalty our sins deserved.  For six hours Jesus hung on the cross and then for three hours the sun was darkened and out of the darkness came this awesome cry, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” [Matthew 27:46]  These words mark the time when Jesus was actually separated from His Father as all the weight of our sins was laid upon Him.  When He died the earth quaked and the rocks split so that the soldiers guarding the cross were so terrified that they cried out, “Truly this was the Son of God!” [ Matthew 27:54 ]

Three days later some faithful women visited the tomb of Jesus.  Suddenly there was a great earthquake!  An angel descended from heaven and rolled back the huge stone from the entrance to the tomb, hewn out of the solid rock, and sat upon it!  The guards fainted but the women ran to proclaim the greatest and best news the world had ever heard – Death has been conquered! [ Matthew ch 28 ]