Earthquakes and Floods

Because there have been so many "other" news stories, the earthquake story has taken a back seat. During the past several weeks, there have been significant earthquakes in the usual spots and more "unusual" earthquakes in places that one wouldn't usually expect. As we have noted in the past, when we see an increasing frequency in the general "signs" as we have been, we also see the above scenario regarding quakes:

India: Earthquake Measuring 6.4 Hits North East India

A severe earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale has hit India and Myanmar on Friday evening. The epicenter of the earthquake is located at the India-Myanmar(Burma) border, around 85 km east-southeast of Imphal, Manipur state of India. The depth of the earthquake is 88.8 km. The exact location of the quake is 24.6 north latitude and 94.7 east longitude- about 690 km from kolkata and 1800 km from New Delhi.

The earthquake occurred at 7:23 pm IST. Tremors were felt across the entire eastern India including all the northeastern states including Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and also the eastern Indian states of West Bengal and Bihar. Parts of Bangladesh also experienced the jolt.

Canterbury continues to be jolted by earthquakes, with four felt in the region on Friday

A sharp 4.6-magnitude quake occurred at 5.56pm, followed by one measuring 3.7 at 6.17pm.
Both quakes were 20km southwest of Christchurch at a depth of about 9km.

Earlier, a 2.9-magnitude quake occurred 9.32am within 5km of Christchurch at a depth of 5km.
Another quake at 7.32am measured 4.5 and was situated 20km north-west of Oxford at a depth of 9km.
GNS Science says residents described the quake at 5.56pm as strong and sustained.

There have been many aftershocks following a 7.1-magnitude quake in September last year which caused widespread damage in the region.

5.4 magnitude quake strikes off Tonga

Also over the past 48 hours alone:

4.1 Mexico
5.2 Windward Islands
4.8 Afghanistan
5.3 Japan
4.9 Vanuatu Island
4.9 Fiji
4.8 China
5.4 Tonga
5.5 Banda Sea
5.6 Ryukyu Islands

Earthquake Map

More floods in Australia as cyclone damage tallied

The cyclone that tore through Australia's northeast this week brought fresh misery to people in the south on Saturday, causing flash flooding in the second-largest city even as residents in far distant towns returned to ruined homes.

The tropical system that was Cyclone Yasi, which tore through the northeast earlier this week, was still churning over central Australia and making a series of thunderstorms over the southern city of Melbourne and other large towns in Victoria state much worse, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

Drains were overwhelmed, causing flash flooding that covered streets and swamped some homes. The State Emergency Service said 84 people were rescued from cars that stalled in flooded streets, or from inundated properties.

The entire earth is undergoing what appears as birth pains. Some will say that the earth is "groaning" - and very much part of the process of these last days. We know that significant earthquakes will continue and increase during the Tribulation period. The flooding and drought throughout the world is also contributing to the famine problem, as a crop shortage is occurring in these regions that have been hit - subsequently affecting food sources throughout the world.

Its all part of the "signs" that we have been given to watch - signs that reveal the Tribulation is rapidly approaching.

"There will be famines and earthquakes in various places" (Matthew 24: 7)

"On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea" (Luke 21:25)

These are just two of the signs that we follow daily. And just like all of the other signs, these signs are progressing like birth pains - just as Jesus described.

I have presentations from about 10 years ago, in which the data revealed that the earth was experiencing approximately 20,000 earthquakes annually. Now that figure is approximately 30,000 earthquakes a year. Thats an enormous increase in one single decade.

Yes - earthquakes are increasing in both frequency and severity as we watch the signs of this age, as foretold by Jesus Himself.

It is interesting that Jesus coupled earthquakes with famine - as we know from watching the news - areas that are experiencing significant earthquakes are filled with refugees having to leave their homes and communities - and as usual, famine ensues in these regions. Not to mention pestilence. Just look at Haiti, and you see the entire scenario playing out:

Earthquakes--->refugees--->famine--->pestilence. And its happening around the world.

Exactly as Jesus informed us. We shouldn't be surprised.