Earthquake in New Zealand.

On February 22, a magnitude 6.3 quake struck the densely populated city of Christchurch, on the south island. The quake hit this city of 350,000 people at 1 p.m. in the middle of a business day, and was the second major quake in five months.

Buildings in the central business district were toppled, including the spire of the city’s landmark stone cathedral. Reports from the scene describe, “Sidewalks and roads were cracked and split, while thousands of dazed, screaming and crying residents wandered through the streets as sirens and car alarms blared.”  Prime Minister John Key commented, “It is just a scene of utter devastation…We may well be witnessing New Zealand’s darkest day” (Associated Press, February 22 and 23, 2011). As of Wednesday evening, 75 people were proclaimed dead with nearly 300 still missing. Disaster analysts estimate that the total cost of the earthquake could reach $12 billion—making it one of New Zealand’s most expensive natural disasters. 

Long ago, Jesus foretold that one of the signs of the end of the age and His imminent return would be “earthquakes in various places” (Matthew 24:3-7; Mark 13:8). As the end of the age draws near, we will see more frequent and more powerful earthquakes around world. For more information on this sobering topic, read our free booklet, Who Controls the Weather?