Powerful Earthquake in Chile

Last week, a powerful 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck a coastal town in northeast Chile. Remarkably, only six people were killed as buildings crumbled, landslides occurred, and power went out. The quake was felt 300 miles away (CBS, April 2, 2014). 

In 2010, an 8.8 quake struck the nation killing hundreds and destroying more than 200,000 homes. Experts predict that another massive quake of 8.8 or higher will strike the nation again sometime in the next 50 years. The Chilean quake and aftershocks last week remarkably caused very few deaths. However, Jesus Christ warned that "in the last days" there will be "earthquakes in various places"—and that these will be just "the beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24:7-8). The "big one," however, will result not just in the destruction of thousands of homes or the loss of thousands of lives; rather it will result in "every mountain and island [being] moved out of its place" (Revelation 6:14). God will use "natural" disasters to get the attention of our modern God-rejecting world. 

For more on this sobering topic, be sure to read our commentary entitled "Where Will You Be When the Next Big Quake Strikes?"