On September 19, 1985, Mexico City (the largest city in the western hemisphere) was tremendously shaken by an earthquake that killed approximately ten thousand people. It measured 8.1 on the Richter scale. Just a little more than a year later another capitol city to the south, San Salvador, suffered a like destruction from a temblor measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale. Over one thousand people lost their lives and thirty thousand were injured with more than one hundred thousand left homeless. "There shall be... earthquakes, in diverse places." Matt. 24:77For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Matthew 24:7). So the Lord spoke when He was here teaching and making known coming events.
The morning of October 10 had gone just as the days before in San Salvador with people busily engaged in the daily occupations of their lives. The rich, the middle class, and the poor of the city were moving about, or were in their stores and offices and the children in school were enjoying a normal day. Then at ten minutes before noon a devastating earthquake struck! People, multitudes of people, ran for the open streets and plazas, weeping and even crying aloud to God.
Ambrosio, a Christian brother, was in the city center at the time of the earthquake. A few feet from him two boys were playing; one was killed and the other was half buried. Ambrosio rescued the one and then helped many others that needed help. All transportation stopped as streets were blocked with much rubble and debris. People were desperately looking for their loved ones or helping the trapped and distressed.
Near the city center was a large five-story building called the Ruben Dario. About two hundred were killed in it. It was a complete catastrophe. In 1965 this building had been damaged by a quake and declared uninhabitable, but later was patched up sufficiently to be used. Only the buildings that had solid foundations and strong superstructures withstood the shaking of the October 10th earthquake. The Ruben Dario did not meet these qualifications.
Are you a believer founded upon that solid Rock—Christ Himself?
Amos introduces in the very first verse of his book that which he saw concerning Israel as given "two years before the earthquake." Zechariah writes of the same: "Ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee." Zech. 14:55And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. (Zechariah 14:5). Surely the earthquakes in our time are warnings of coming judgments that God will bring upon this world.
The subject of the book of Amos might be termed God warns. The first warning is addressed to Damascus and the people of Syria. The second warning is to the remnant of the Philistines (Palestinians) and their cities. The third warning is to Tyrus (Tire, city of commerce). The fourth warning is to Edom (south Jordan and part of Saudi Arabia). The fifth warning is to Ammon (Amman, capitol of Jordan). The sixth warning is to Moab (also of Jordan).
All these were the ancient enemies of God's people Israel, and now they are again their enemies in these last, interesting days. Through the prophet Amos, God tells of the judgments that shall fall upon some of these nations that have troubled Israel and laid claim to any part of the land that God has promised to Abraham and his seed according to faith.
God has promised, "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.” And this word, “Yet once more”, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." Heb. 12:26-2826Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: (Hebrews 12:26‑28).
Today, when again we see Israel's neighbors so hateful and radically opposed to her, it seems that the fulfillment of the prophecies of Amos and Zechariah is very near. The stage for these judgments appears to be set. In addition to the warnings given to Israel's six nearby enemies, the prophet has a similar "Thus saith the Lord," telling of judgments coming upon Judah and Israel because of their transgressions. Judah, who rejected Christ the Messiah, shall receive the very severest judgment.
After this comes the millennial kingdom. Zechariah in his prophecy, referred to above, writes in glorious and comforting words concerning this time. "Living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and winter shall it be. And the Lord shall be King over all the earth: in that day (1000 years) shall there be one Lord, and His name one." Zech. 14:8, 98And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. 9And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. (Zechariah 14:8‑9). Next we get the comfort in verse 11, "and men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.”
These verses describe the earthly side of the kingdom of power and glory, but there will also be the heavenly part with the heavenly saints reigning with Christ. The Revelation describes this in chapter 21. The bride, the Lamb's wife, is pictured as "descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God." (vv. 9-11.) Christ will be displayed in His glory in both spheres. Will you be there? Ed.