The Loaves And The Fishes
The Still Small Voice in the Stormy Tsunami Waves

Intro. 1 Tsunami and Earthquakes

Tsunami
A tsunami [fr. Japanese, pronounced tsu:’na:mi; lit. = harbour (tsu) + waves (nami)] is a brief series of long, high undulations on the surface of the sea caused by an earthquake or similar under water disturbance. These travel at great speed and often with sufficient force to inundate the land; frequently misnamed tidal waves. – O.E.D. From the area of the disturbance, the waves will travel outward in all directions, much like the ripples caused by throwing a rock into a pond.

Earthquakes
An earthquake is the shaking of the ground resulting from the release of stored elastic strain energy due to the sudden deformation of a region of the earth which has been in a state of stress. The destruction with which earthquakes are commonly associated is caused by waves which travel outward in all directions from a focus where fracturing or faulting occurred

The South Asian Tsunami on 26 December 2004

The world’s largest earthquake in 40 years (the biggest in 500 years in the S- and SE- Asian region) rocked the ocean floor off the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, unleashing a tsunami inundating countries at the edge of the Indian Ocean. Deaths occurred in Indonesia, Sri Langka, India, Thailand, Myanmar, Maldives, Malaysia, Bangladesh and several East African countries. This was caused by the sudden, violent slippage of a 1,200km-long fault-line running under the Indian Ocean. The fault between the Indian and Burma plates moved just 15m causing the most powerful quake in 40 years. Tsunamis can travel at 875km/hr.

A British environmentalist who survived the tsunami said the desolation in its wake resembled the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust. And yet, with the best available technology in the world, nothing can prevent another tsunami. The best that can be done is to warn people to get out of its way. Soon after Sunday’s giant quake near Sumatra, more than 50 aftershocks were felt in India and Sri Langka

Intro. 2 Now Fade out our interest in the winds, earthquakes and fire of the tsunami for the moment, and F ocus on the still small voice of God. I Kgs. 19:11, 12 1 st occ. of “earthquake” in the Bible

A. The Earthquake Query – The Current Question

  1. Why does God allow Earthquakes?

    a.
    In the Past and Present:

    i. To S ignify His Sovereign Presence and Power. (Psa. 68:7, 8)
    ii. To Support the Scriptural evidence of Prophecy. (Mk. 13:7, 8)

    b. For the Prospect:

    i. To Substantiate His covenant Promise to Israel. (Hag. 2:5, 6-9)
    ii. To Show forth His fury in Punishing sinners of their evil. (Isa. 13:9- 13)
    Cf. The Evil that still Exploits the Suffering of the tsunami Survivors. Cf. (Jer. 17:9)
  2. Why does God allow so many innocent people (including children) to suffer so much so quickly?
    Looking at it in perspective, much good has come out of this tragedy – Sympathetic and Sacrificial humanity coupled with a Focused unity has triumphed over Selfish Feuds and human animosity. However this is just ...

    a. A Foretaste of what is coming – Know…summer is near. Mk. 13:28
    b. An early-warning Forecast – Know…it is even at the doors. 13:29
    c. A Firm validation of biblical prophecy – (Know) My words shall not pass away 13:30, 31
  3. Is God fair? – Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Gen. 18:25

    a.
    In the Past, He was Tolerant; He would not judge if there were Ten righteous. Gen. 18:23-33 cf. Flood, Babel
    b. For the Present, He is Patient and longsuffering that none should Perish. II Pet. 3:8-10
    c. In Prospect, He will be Proved right and He will Prevail when He judges. Rom. 3:4
    God is Sovereign and has a Purpose, a Plan and a Programme behind every earthquake that occurs.

    The Earthquake History – the Human Balancing Equation?
    • Earthquakes in World History
      • Consider recent big earthquakes from the chart showing some of History’s Worst Earthquakes.
        • The 1960 Chile Earthquake measuring 9.5 (world’s largest) killed 5,700 people.
        • The 1993 India Earthquake measuring 6.4 killed 30,000 people.
        • The 1999 Turkey Earthquake on August 17 measuring 7.4 was the most devastating in Turkey for 150 years, and one of the most powerful in the last 20 years. It was estimated to kill over 40,000 people.
        • The 2001 Gujarat Earthquake measuring 7.9 killed 30,000 people.
      • Be Concerned with the Tsunami of 26 th Dec. 2004 measuring 9.0 on the Richter Scale which killed over 150,000 people in S. Asia and still counting at time of writing. It is the fifth largest in recorded history.

Participate in The Penang Assembly Tsunami Relief Fund (PATRF)

    • Earthquakes in Bible History. Cf. 1st. Occ. I Kgs. 19:11, 12
  • In the Reign of King Uzziah, to judge the neighbouring nations. Amos. 1:1, 2ff cf. Zech 14: 5
  • In the Renting of the Veil at the crucifixion of Christ. Mt. 27: 51-5 4
  • At the Resurrection of Christ. Mt. 28:2
  • In the Release of Paul and Silas from imprisonment. Acts 16:26
    • Earthquakes in Bible Prophecy. See below

  • The Earthquake Prophecy – the Biblical Prediction.

Earthquakes will occur in greater frequency and intensity as we near the last days.

Earthquakes will intensify and magnify as we draw nearer …

  • The Beginning of Sorrows. Earthquakes (and other Calamities) are… Mt. 24:7, 8; Mk. 13:8; Lk. 21:11
  • Solemn warnings of coming judgment on Israel’s enemies. Isa. 29:6-8
  • Signs of the coming Great Tribulation. (Daniel’s 70 th week) Mt. 24:7, 8 cf. 21
  • The mid-Tribulation period – Earthquakes Commence this period. Rev. 8:5; 11:12, 13, 19
  • Opening of the Seventh Seal – the Silence before the Storm. 8:1, 2
  • The Censer Containing fire from the altar Cast down. 8:3-5 cf. 6:9-11
  • The Two witnesses Raised and the Remnant Terrified. 11:12, 13
  • The End of the Great Tribulation (Day of the Lord) Zech. 14:1- 4, 5-7

[The Greatest Earthquake Concludes the Great Tribulation.]

    • The Prediction of an Utterly Great Earthquake coming. Isa. 24: 18-20-23
    • The Great Tribulation to end with an Unprecedented Earthquake. Zech. 14:3- 5-7
    • The Description of this last Ultimate Earthquake. Rev. 16:17, 18-20 cf. 6:12ff

The Conclusion

    • The old earth and heavens burnt up at the end of the Day of the Lord. Rev. 6:14-17; II Pet. 3:10
    • A new Earth and a New Heaven coming into being on the Day of God. II Pet. 3:12; Rev. 21:1
  • The Caution, Comfort and Challenge:
    • The Caution – Mark 13:33

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

    • The Comfort. Psalm 46:1-3 cf. I Thes. 4:18

God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear,

though the earth be Removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea;

though the waters thereof Roar and be troubled, though the mountains Shake with the Swelling thereof.

    • The Challenge. 2 Peter 3:11-14, NIV cf. Pro. 27:1

Since everything will be destroyed in this way,what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

  • Treasure the Family and Friendship bonds, before they are taken away. Cf. Pro. 27:1
  • Work while it is Day, the Night cometh, when no man can work. Jn. 9:4 cf. Rom. 13:11-14
  • Take care how and where you build up and lay your Treasure – Mt. 6:20, 21 cf. Lk. 12, 20, 21

Wishing you all… A HEART-y and a FRUIT-y,

Meaningful New Year, 2005

Until the Lord Comes, MARANATHA .