Focus: Divine Earthquakes

Text: Isa.29:6

"Thou shalt be VISITED of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and WITH EARTHQUAKE, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire."

The Lord Almighty is nature's creator. Every time God moves, nature joins in the movement. The psalmist declares, "Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word" (Ps.148:8). All of nature runs to do God's behest. Nahum the prophet says, "The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein" (Nah.1:5). Nature displays its powers in celebration, honor, and worship of its creator. We read of Moses in Hebrews 12:21, and it says, "And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and QUAKE:)." Nature quakes before its God. Moses quakes before his God.

Let us look at certain Scriptures and see earthquakes in action.

*Earthquake for Christ's death

Matthew reports of what happened when Jesus Christ died on the cross. He says, "Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many dead bodies of the saints which slept arose, Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God" (Mt.27:50-54). The earth erupts at the death of the Son of God. The thick and heavy veil of the temple is torn in the middle. Rocks split. Many graves of the SAINTS are uncovered and their bodies enlivened and revitalized. The cross of Christ creates incredible effects in the moment of Christ's death. 

The rupturing of the earth at the instance of the death of Christ is amazing and significant. The earthquake is a big statement. It is the earth revolting against the injustice done to the just man, Christ Jesus. It is a statement that all the power of God is lodged in the cross of Christ. Jesus Christ is the power of God. The gospel is the power of God. The power of the cross will tear open the graves of saints unjustly treated and killed. God says, "Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves" (Ezk.37:12,13). 

Whatever form of grave that you may be in, by the power of the cross of Christ, you are breaking out of it. God is coming into your life with a supernatural earthquake that shall free you from your shackles. Something must shift in your life and make way for God's manifestation.

We can see this earthquake causing ripple effects - a great chain reaction!

*Earthquake at Christ's resurrection

Matthew reports of another earthquake, this time at the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He says, "And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it" (Mt.28:2). The death of Christ caused an earthquake. The resurrection of Christ also caused an earthquake. A great earthquake occurs. An angel descends from heaven. The heavy stone is rolled away from the mouth of the tomb. Christ majestically emerges from the dead and from the tomb. What a great sight to behold! That is the resurrection power of Christ. It is explosive. It is volcanic. It is devastating to all of hell. No force on earth or beneath the earth could withstand the resurrection of Christ from the dead. 

Dead Lazarus heard the voice of Christ and came back to life. I pray that you encounter the resurrection power of Christ in your life. Nature celebrates the resurrection. Matthew says, "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many" (Mt.27:52-53). The first earthquake caused the graves of the saints to open. The second earthquake saw them out of their graves after the resurrection of Christ, and they entered the city with Jesus Christ. His resurrection guaranteed their own resurrection. Jesus says, "Because I live, ye shall live also" (Jh.14:19). 

We need some spiritual earthquake in our lives. Things need to shake up and shake off around us. It is said that things fall apart for other things to fall into place. God's earthquake will make it happen.

*Earthquake of prayer and praise

Luke reports that at midnight, and from the prison house, Paul and Silas prayed and praised God on top of their voices. Luke reports that "the prisoners heard them." He goes on to say, "And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed" (Act.16:26). The prayers and praises of Paul and Silas produced a great earthquake. The prisoners' chains were broken. All the prison doors were opened. The jailer and his household were converted to Christ as a result of this incredible manifestation of God. 

Things happen when we pray to our God and praise His holy name. Vibrations take place in the spirit realm. Yokes are broken through our prayer and praise.

*Earthquake without God

Elijah encounters an earthquake, but God is not in it. The Scripture says, "And after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake…" (1Kgs.19:11). Read the whole story, and you will see that the Lord was passing through, not dwelling in the elements of nature. No earthquake can contain our God. He goes through the elements; He never resides there. 

God can use an earthquake to manifest Himself to His people, but the earthquake doesn't become a thing to be worshipped. Be wary of earthquakes that are devoid of God's presence. Beware of empty earthquakes - noisemakers.

*Earthquakes of Endtime

Luke reports, "And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven" (Lk.21:11). These earthquakes will happen, announcing that the end is around the corner. Jesus Christ will soon return to take back all that belongs to Him. The whole universe will be recovered and restored. The kingdoms of this world will become those of our God. We are already seeing a whole lot that is pointing us to the end as being near. The earthquakes are happening.

I pray for you to experience the explosive power of the cross and of the resurrection of Christ in your life. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter