PTNews
August 2017
Published 10 times annually
All Bible references are quoted from the KJV
(Examining Current Events in the Light of Bible Prophecy)
For many years, I have been amazed with the Biblical prophecies that are connected to the geological framework of the Holy Land and the immediate surrounding areas of the Middle East. When a person examines the unique geological discoveries in Israel, along with the geological survey of Israel, and compares it with future prophecies, he will be amazed by how they perfectly fit together. Since the Bible is a collection of 66 ancient books, the modern geological discoveries in Israel showcase the fact that the Bible is the supernatural revelation of God. There really is no other reasonable explanation to describe how these ancient prophets wrote about what modern geologists are discovering today.
In spite of the growing acceptance of the theory of evolution, the Bible gives the only real historic and scientific explanation for the geological records on every continent in the world. The geological survey of the unique land of Israel also explains how the Biblical prophecies that are connected to the future geological upheaval and changes in Israel will take place.
God has created the earth for His purposes and therefore controls all the activities of the earth, including earthquakes and volcanoes. Consider the following passages: “The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; … By his knowledge the depths are broken up…” (Proverbs 3:19-20) “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day as thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.” (Psalm 119:89-91) “In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.” (Psalm 95:4) “Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.” (Psalm 102:25-26)
The precise timing of earthquakes in the Bible gives testimony to God’s sovereignty over them. Consider the following: Many Bible scholars agree that an earthquake played some role in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (Genesis 19:24-29) The giving of the law at Mount Sinai was accompanied by an earthquake. (Exodus 19:18) The collapse of the walls of Jericho took place just as Israel had completed its march around the city. When they shouted, as commanded by God, the walls immediately collapsed. (Joshua 6:20) At the precise moment of Jesus’ death on the cross, an earthquake occurred, tearing the veil of the temple. (Matthew 27:50-54) A massive earthquake accompanied the resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem. (Matthew 28:2) God used a perfectly timed earthquake to release Paul and Silas from prison in Acts 16:25-26. Therefore, it is obvious that earthquakes are an instrument that God uses to fulfill His divine will. God has chosen the tiny land of Israel to showcase His glory and power in the last days. He has created the land of Israel and its geological uniqueness for this very purpose. Israel has two major earthquake fault zones. A major fault line goes across the Carmel mountain ridge, through the Valley of Armageddon, and links up with the very dangerous Rift Valley fault line. Israel’s entire eastern border is a part of what geologists call “the Syrian/African Rift Valley.” This 3,700 mile visible geological trench is one of the most dangerous earthquake fault zones in the world. It begins in Turkey in the north and passes south through Lebanon, and then through the upper Galilee, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, the Arava Valley, the Red Sea, and then continues through Ethiopia, all the way to Mozambique in southeast Africa. This Great Rift Valley has been the location of many earthquakes in the past (like Sodom and Gomorrah, Jericho and the many earthquakes around Jerusalem), and will play a major role in the earthquakes the Bible says will take place in Israel in the last days.
One of the first earthquakes in the last days that is mentioned in the Bible is in Ezekiel 38:18-23. According to this text, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Libya, and Sudan will invade Israel along Israel’s northern border on the Golan Heights. When these nations invade, God will intervene with a massive earthquake that will trigger the eruption of dormant volcanoes that dot the landscape in this area. “The mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.” (Ezekiel 38:20) This earthquake will be accompanied by a volcanic eruption, described as “overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.” (Ezekiel 38:22) God will use this geological upheaval to confuse these enemies of Israel, causing them to turn on each other and kill their partners in this invading coalition.
The area of the Golan Heights and Galilee is filled with remnants of major earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in ancient history. As mentioned before, the Golan Heights has many dormant volcanoes. One of these is Mount Bental. I have taken my tour groups to the top of this volcanic mountain many times. This mountain is located on the northern border of Israel. From this viewpoint you can look into Syria and Lebanon, with a spectacular view of Mount Hermon, the tallest mountain in the Middle East. While traveling through the Golan Heights you can see that the ground is covered with black volcanic rocks. These rocks continue south down to the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee. The three major cities in which Jesus preached, Capernaum, Corazin, and Bethsaida, were all built with these black volcanic rocks.
Along the western shores of the Sea of Galilee there are several geothermal hot pools, which are created by surface water that makes contact with the hot magma that is just below the surface of that area. It gives testimony to the fact that the entire Golan and Galilee region is sitting on a hot lava bed that is ready to erupt when the Lord gives the word. I remember several years ago, that on a cool spring morning my tour group witnessed the many smoking chimneys protruding out of the ground along the highway near Tiberius on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The cool morning air helped to make visible the billowing smoke with a strong sulfur smell. I shared with my group the prophetic account in Ezekiel 38-39. When the Bible student witnesses these geological evidences, it gives testimony that God has prepared His land for the fulfillment of His Word. It is these kinds of experiences that have greatly aided my understanding of the prophetic Scriptures. This is one reason why I am so eager to take believers to the Holy Land.
The city of Jerusalem is at the center of the conflict between Islam and Israel. In the negotiations toward a peace settlement, neither group is willing to surrender Jerusalem to their enemy. According to the prophetic Scriptures, this struggle over the Holy City of God will continue until God settles the score in a series of geological upheavals in the future.
Jerusalem is only 15 miles from the Great Rift Valley. This prominent city is perched on top of the mountains of Judah more than 2,400 feet above sea level, while the Rift Valley to the east is almost 1,300 feet below sea level. According to the Bible, Jerusalem and the surrounding area has been shaken by the movement of the tectonic plates in the Rift Valley many times in the past. However, according to the Biblical prophecies, the worst is yet to come!
A 6.2 earthquake struck this area in 1927, killing 200 people. However, Israeli geologists are even more concerned about a more devastating earthquake that is long overdue. The last great earthquake, measuring 7.0 or more on the Richter scale, struck Israel in 1033. After examining the geological records, Israeli geologists have concluded that a major earthquake has struck Israel about every 400 years since 31 A.D. Since there has not been a major earthquake for almost 1,000 years, they conclude that pressure is building along the fault lines that could trigger a major earthquake at any time. A 2007 article in The Jerusalem Post, entitled “The Big One is Due,” stated: “Geology experts agree that Israel is long overdue for the next ‘Big One,’ and it can happen at any time.'” (jpost.com)
In recent years there have been several small earthquakes in this region. The Israeli government has been preparing and warning its citizens that another major earthquake in Israel is imminent. On June 12, 2017, an Israel Today website report featured an article entitled, “Israel Prepares for Major Quake.” The article stated: “At Sunday’s cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an urgent discussion on home front preparations for a major earthquake that is expected to hit Israel in the coming years.
“The discussion kicked off a nationwide emergency drill involving rescue forces from the army, police and medical organizations.
“‘As part of our efforts and actions to improve home front emergency preparedness, we are beginning today a national earthquake exercise, called Earthquake 2017,’ said Netanyahu. ‘There are enough earthquakes around us in all senses of the word, but we live adjacent to the Syrian-African rift, and an earthquake can hit at any moment. They already have and they undoubtedly will.'” (Israel Today, “Israel Prepares for Major Quake,” June 12, 2017)
While Israel is watching a Russian/Islamic coalition form in Syria, it is concerned with the future security ramifications this could create. As mentioned above, the prophet Ezekiel was given divine revelation about the ultimate outcome of this current security threat on Israel’s northern border. (Ezekiel 38:17-23) When the Lord supernaturally intervenes with a massive earthquake to destroy this enemy coalition, it will also impact the battle over the old city of Jerusalem and the sensitive conflict over the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Notice that Ezekiel reports that because of this future earthquake, “every wall shall fall to the ground.” (Ezekiel 38:20)
After studying the topography of Jerusalem 13 years ago, Israeli geology experts agreed that the area in Jerusalem that would experience the most destruction would be the Old City and the Temple Mount. Their report was covered by NBC news. The article stated: “‘The three-year study, conducted by the Geological Survey of Israel and released this week, found that the Old City is more at risk than modern neighborhoods because of its ancient construction and the underground layers of shifting debris left behind by ransacking armies,’ said Amos Bein, the center’s director.
‘The layer below is not made of solid rock, but rather a kind of rubble,’ Bein said. ‘Those weak foundations could magnify an earthquake’s seismic wave,’ he said.
Researchers used computers to map Jerusalem’s topography, geology, soil and the Old City’s subterranean labyrinth of cisterns and tunnels.
Most at risk, the report says, is the Old City and the 11-acre elevated plaza housing two major mosques, including the gold-capped Dome of the Rock.” (Jason Keyser, Associated Press, “Jerusalem’s Old City at risk in earthquake,” January 19, 2004, nbcnews.com)
Since my first trip to Israel in 1985, I have concluded that when the Gog and Magog invasion takes place, this devastating earthquake will take down the Islamic structures on the Temple Mount. Many nations will briefly agree that this earthquake is the hand of God. The Lord has declared: “Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.” (Ezekiel 38:23) The divine intervention of this earthquake to destroy the massive invading coalition will have a lasting and profound impact upon Israel. Ezekiel writes: “So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward.” (Ezekiel 39:22) This earthquake will devastate Iran and the entire Shia Muslim factions. I personally believe that this will also briefly humiliate the Sunni Muslim world, so that the Muslim Antichrist, probably a Sunni, will confirm a 7-year peace covenant with Israel, thus beginning the Tribulation Period. (Daniel 9:27)
Three and one-half years later, the Muslim Antichrist will break his covenant with Israel and forcefully regain control of the Temple Mount, stopping the sacrifices and desecrating the Jewish temple. (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15-26; 2 Thessalonians 2:4) When the Antichrist enters Jerusalem, he will kill the two Jewish witnesses (probably Moses and Elijah). Their dead bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem for three and one-half days. (Revelation 11:7-11) John writes: “And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. AND THE SAME HOUR was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.” (Revelation 11:11-13– Emphasis added)
In just three and one half years, Jerusalem will be struck by two powerful earthquakes. However, neither of these earthquakes will be “the big one.” The most powerful earthquake that has ever been recorded on earth will occur at the end of the Tribulation Period. (Revelation 16:17-21) This earthquake will have a major impact on the land of Israel. It will destroy the armies of the Antichrist that will invade Israel at the battle of Armageddon. And, it will literally change the topography of Jerusalem and all of Israel in preparation for the Millennial Kingdom.
When the King of Kings returns to this earth on the final day of the 7-year Tribulation Period, He will come to “make war” with the evil Antichrist and his forces. (Revelation 19:11) According to the Bible, some of the invading armies of the Antichrist will die in a most mysterious fashion. “Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.” (Zechariah 14:12) I believe that when the Bible student examines all of the prophetic texts that speak of this final conflagration, that it becomes evident that the Lord will unleash His fury at Armageddon with an unprecedented geological holocaust unlike anything this world has ever witnessed. The epicenter of this earthquake will probably be near Jerusalem. According to Revelation 14:14-20, God will send His angel of fire to thrust his sickle into the earth so that the blood will come out of the earth, creating a flow of this blood that will measure up to the level of the horse’s bridle for almost 200 miles. The language of Revelation 14:14-20 should be compared to Joel 3:11-13, a reference to Armageddon. After examining many texts, I am convinced that the blood in this text is not real blood, but is the symbolic blood of the earth – red volcanic lava. (See Isaiah 26:21. This context is speaking about Armageddon.) Here the blood of the earth is a river of magma that will flow for almost the entire length of the Syrian/African Rift, beginning in northern Israel on the Golan Heights. These volcanoes will have erupted seven years earlier with the Gog and Magog invasion, as mentioned earlier. However, this more powerful earthquake at the end of the Tribulation will open up the volcanic vents in this region, allowing the magma to flow from the Golan Heights to the Dead Sea, a descent of more than 1,500 feet in 100 miles. The lava flow will suddenly and violently pour down the Jordan Valley similar to a flash flood, killing anyone and anything in its path. This would fit the description of the unique death of the Antichrist’s army in Zechariah 14:12.
This conclusion seems to be supported by a multitude of Biblical texts that have a context of the Lord’s vengeance at Armageddon. “The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake…” (Joel 3:16) “A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.” (Psalm 97:3-5) “For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.” (Isaiah 66:15-16) “For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth. And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valley shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place. … and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will [uncover] the foundations thereof.” (Micah 1:3-4, 6)
The topography of Jerusalem will be suddenly and radically altered to prepare it as the geographical center of the administration of the Messiah, ruling for 1,000 years from Jerusalem.
First, the city will be “divided into three parts.” (Revelation 16:19) Then, the Mount of Olives will be split by this massive quake. “The Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.” (Zechariah 14:4) It is a well known fact that a major earthquake fault line passes through the Mount of Olives. With any sizable earthquake in the region, the Mount of Olives will split in half just as prophesied by Zechariah. Half of the mountain will go north and the other part will move toward the south. These modern geological discoveries agree precisely with Zechariah’s prophecy, written more than 2,500 years ago.
When this earthquake splits the Mount of Olives, it will create a new valley that will open to the southeast. This valley will instantly become a river bed, described in great detail in Ezekiel 47:1-12. According to several prophetic texts, a new river of fresh water will flow out of the Temple Mount area, with half of it flowing east toward the Dead Sea, and the other half flowing west toward the Mediterranean Sea. (Ezekiel 47:1-10; Joel 3:18; Zechariah 14:8) The infusion of fresh water from this river will transform the Dead Sea so that it will contain fish during the millennial kingdom.
In light of this, it is most amazing to examine the survey of the discovery of a massive underground aquifer in Jerusalem. In 2011, while excavation workers of Israel Railways were working on high speed rail service to connect Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, they discovered a cave with the “largest underground water sources ever discovered in Israel. … The surveyors said that during their initial exploration, they found water flowing through the cave from northwest to southeast ” (www.haaretz.com-Pop up warning) In light of the above prophecies, this is an amazing discovery. It is apparent that this large mountain aquifer will supply the water for the river mentioned in the previously discussed prophetic texts. Notice that they discovered that this body of water in the aquifer is traveling from northwest to southeast. This is the direction this future river will flow as it travels from Jerusalem down to the Dead Sea and the extended valley below.
Another amazing prophecy is connected to the massive earthquake at the coming of our Lord. Isaiah gives the following Millennial Kingdom promise. “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. … for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.” (Isaiah 35:1, 6-7) This prophecy is actually speaking of a radical transformation of the Valleys of Siddim and Arava. These desert lands will be flooded with water so that there will be pools and vegetation that grow in marshy areas. The word translated “rose” in Isaiah 35:1 is the Hebrew word for a water lily. So, the desert in Israel will be transformed into a beautiful garden with pools of water and bull rushes.
Several decades ago, Israeli geologists discovered a huge aquifer of brackish water (a light salt content) under that Arava and Negev deserts. With great success, they have been able to tap into this source of water, and by infusing this with fresh water, have been able to irrigate huge sections of the desert. Using the Israeli dip system of irrigation, they are able to grow incredible amounts of dates, vegetables, and even alfalfa. One of Israel’s most successful dairies is in the Arava Valley — Kibbutz Yotvata. Here, the floor of the desert is irrigated with the water below the valley to grow alfalfa for the cattle. I have stopped with my tour groups many times to visit this Kibbutz and enjoy their rich ice cream and milk products. They also grow delicious dates. It is amazing to see this!
It is apparent that when this large earthquake shakes Israel at the end of the Tribulation Period that it will transfer the water below the surface to the top of the desert floor, flooding the desert. This water, when combined with the fresh water from the river flowing out of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, will make this desert blossom like the garden of Eden. “For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.” (Isaiah 51:3)
As mentioned in Revelation 16:20, this final quake at the end of the Tribulation will cause every island to flee away, and the mountains around the world will be leveled. The harsh global topography that was created by the global flood in Genesis 7 will be reversed. The continents will be filled with flat, fertile ground, especially in Israel. Speaking of the topography in Israel, Isaiah wrote: “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain.” (Isaiah 40:4)
Of special interest is the impact that this great quake will have on Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be lifted up and expanded to form a flat plateau that will serve as a proper location for the temple and the global political administration that will be located there. “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.” (Isaiah 2:2) Zechariah gave greater detail when he wrote: “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth; in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place …” (Zechariah 14:9-10) However, Zechariah’s prophecy did not surpass the greatest details given about 75 years earlier by Ezekiel. Read Ezekiel 47:13-48:35. Many Bible scholars agree that the Millennial Jerusalem will consist of a plateau that will be a 50 mile square. This would be impossible with the topography of Israel today.
As the Bible student studies all of these intricate prophecies, it is apparent that the Lord will use His divine power over His creation to create a beautiful land for His people to enjoy for 1,000 years. After His people have endured rejection and suffering for thousands of years, they will finally have a perfect land and a perfect King, Jesus the Messiah. The beautiful words of Isaiah will come to pass: “For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)
However, the central purpose behind all of these prophecies is the exaltation of the Lord Jesus as the Priest and King in Israel over all the nations. The late Tim LaHaye wrote: “The Millennial Temple … is destined to be perhaps the most beautiful and magnificent building in human history. This will be Israel’s final Temple, the focal point of the 1000-year reign of the Messiah. Since the Millennium will be a time in which Israel will be exalted and Christ will rule the world through a theocracy from Jerusalem, it makes sense that worship of Messiah will revolve around the Temple. (Ezekiel 43:1-5), God will dwell in the midst of His people (Ezekiel 37:26-28), and Israel will fulfill her national calling.” (Tim LaHaye & Thomas Ice, Charting the End Times, p. 94)
Finally, I would like to remind you that all of this geological upheaval in Israel and around the world will begin when Russia, Iran, Turkey, and their radical Islamic allies join together to attack Israel. (Ezekiel 38-39) God’s furious response will bring “a great shaking in the land of Israel.” (38:19) However, all the nations will experience this earthquake. God said, “… all men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence.” (38:20) Therefore, as we watch the armies of Russia, Iran, and Turkey join together in Syria, we must wonder how long it will be before they make their move against Israel. When they do, the whole world will experience God’s response. And, it will not end for seven years!
I personally believe that before this develops, the church will be suddenly caught away to heaven. As earthquakes increase and Russia and her Islamic friends gather in Syria, one has to wonder just how much time we have left.
Friend, do not wait to settle your sin debt with Christ. “Behold, now is the accepted time: behold now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) The day of God’s grace is about to come to an end. The days of His wrath are about to begin. Don’t wait. Call out to the Lord. Repent of your sins. Be ready for the shout that will take us out!