New Zealand’s earthquake.

Two weeks ago, Christchurch, New Zealand was rocked by a major 7.0 earthquake. The quake has been followed by more than 100 aftershocks, some of which were major quakes themselves.

Officials report that more than 100,000 homes in the vicinity—nearly 2/3 of all homes in the area affected—sustained serious damage, many beyond repair. A major tunnel connecting Christchurch to the nearby port of Lyttleton was closed due to cracks from the earthquake. Damage estimates run toward NZ$2 billion or US$1 billion (Telegraph.co.uk, September 6-7, 2010). Despite major infrastructural and financial damage, very few deaths occurred as a result of this major New Zealand earthquake.

Jesus Christ prophesied that one sign of the end of the age would be “earthquakes in various [diverse] places” (Matthew 24:7). However, Jesus said that earthquakes would just be “the beginning of sorrows” (v. 8).

As we see more and greater catastrophes on the world scene, and witness more prophecies coming to pass, we need to remember Jesus’ command to “lookup and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28). As we see world events building to a prophetic climax, we need to pray that we may be “counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36, emphasis ours)!