Earthquake, Thunder and Darkness

17th July 2005, hej

This Article: (3 Pages)

1) Earthquakes as Political Events.

The book of Revelation, for most people, is an impenetrable mystery. What is the meaning of passages that speak of seemingly impossible events, such as the sun becoming black and the moon like blood, as for example in the verse following?

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; (Rev 6:12 KJV)

This symbolic and poetic language closely resembles an accurate description of the most remarkable and cataclysmic volcanic explosion in modern history. This event happened on a Sunday in 1883 when the Island of Krakatoa exploded. The sound of the great explosion was heard as far away as Perth Australia, and was felt by 12^th of the face of the globe. So much earth (some 11 billion cubic metres) was sent into the atmosphere, there was a half a degree drop in global temperature. When the Krakatoa volcano was erupting the sun was turned to a darkness as suffocating as sackcloth and the earth quaked, and there was lightning and thunder. So much sulfur was sent up that there were red sunsets turning the moon red and water to look like blood for five years afterwards.

It appears that this eruption in 1883 may be similar to an earlier eruption that occurred in 535AD, for there is record of the sun being darkened in the Mediterranean, that corresponded to a loud 'bang' noted in China in the same year coming from the South. Researchers have confirmed it was darker from the mid 530's to 540 as tree rings in Europe showed minimal growth. Also high sulphur levels in the bands laid down in about 535AD in both polar ice caps indicate a massive volcanic eruption. Research has found there was a larva flow at Krakatoa that dates from that era. Does the passage above in Revelation predict a natural event like either of these volcanic eruptions?

Before we go to Revelation we could consider the more intelligible previous prophecy given by Yahshua. Yahshua said at the time of the end there would be signs of our redemption.

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:25-28 KJV).

This passage does not describe the conditions generated by Krakatoa, or indeed any other natural disaster, for it speaks of conditions of the distress of nations, or in other words their political state. The 'waves roaring' is the distress of the people of nations. The sound of crowds protesting is like that of a sea. It is the powers that rule, or that are in 'heaven', that are shaken. Therefore when Yahshua in his revelation to John speaks of 'sun' and 'moon', he is most likely speaking of political power and its 'reflection' as the religious power.

In revelation there are only five earthquakes (Rev 6:12, 8:5, 11:13,19, 16:18). The first has been quoted above. They speak of massive political changes.

We know that revelation does not speak of natural events but rather political events. It describes those political events specifically related to the servants of Yahweh and the descendants of Israel. This natural cataclysmic event that occurred at Krakatoa twice does not correspond to a specific passage in Revelation. However, as we are told Yahweh laid, and therefore controls the foundations of the earth (Isaiah 42:5, 45:18,48:13 Jer 32:17), is there any significance to this world shaking eruption?

2) Earthquakes at Significant Events

In the past Yahweh has used earthquakes and signs to mark significant events. Yahshua's life is a case in point. His birth was marked by a bright moving star (Matt 2). His death was marked by a massive earthquake (Matt 27:51-54) as was his resurrection (Matt 28:2). In a battle, Yahweh has caused the earth to quake with the victory given with Jonathan against the Philistines (1Sam 14). Deborah in her song (Judges 5:4) and David in his psalms (2Sam 22:8, Psa 18:7, 77:18, 97:4) mention the earth trembling as a feature of the victory of Yahweh. All prophets agree the earth shall shake at the coming of the presence of Yahweh in judgement (Isa 2, 13, 24, Ezek 38, Joel 3, Hag 2, Hebrews 12). Were the massive eruptions at Krakatoa a sign of some significant event?

We can look at the events of the two eras. At first when one looks at the years from 1882 to 1888 there seems not to be any event of great significance; the death of Marx and the growth of the labour and communist movements, the building of the statue of liberty, and earthquakes in England and the USA

However, if we narrow our search to events relating to the fate of Israel, we see 1882 was the beginning of a significant era indeed. In that year Jews from Roumania first settled Rosh Pinah meaning 'Head Stone' (they quoted Psa 118!) which was the first successful settlement of the Land of Israel. Also in that year Jews started to leave Russia to go to Palestine. These were years of bloodshed, of pogroms against Jews in Russia. How appropriate then that the northern skies should be red. In 1882 the Russian Jewish emigrants helped settle Zichron Yaakov, 'memory of Jacob', Peta Tikva the 'gateway of hope' and Rishon-le-Zion, 'first to Zion'. The years from 1882 to 1903 are known as the First Aliyah, or the first ''going up' of Jews to Israel, some 25,000 of them. It is remarkable that in September 1882 Ze'ev Dubnow a settler wrote that their goal as settlers was to return to the Jews political control of all the land. It was that year that the anthem of Israel was written. By 1889 when the red faded from the skies, a group led by Ben Yehuda declared Hebrew was to be revived as the language of all.

Also at this time in 1883, the first events that historians trace as triggers for the first world war occurred. An alliance was signed between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy to make the Triple Alliance. Britain also gained control of Egypt. Would not those who understood the prophets have stood in awe? Europe was beginning to unite, and England move in as the king of the South to fulfil Daniel's prophecy and Jews were going back to the land to fulfil Ezekiel's prophecy. Those years also saw a conflict between Serbia and Boznia, the very trigger of the first world war. The first world war was significant to Israel, for it led to the declaration of the homeland of the Jews made in the Balfour declaration of 1917.

If indeed the first significant events to lead to the establishment of the state of Israel occurred in 1882-3, it may be that the loud 'bang' heard was an announcement to the world. In any case it announced, at the very least, that man was puny indeed in the face of the forces on the earth.

When we go back to 535AD, what would the skies turning dark at midday over Europe and the Mediterranean mean? What would suphuric red skies to 540AD mean to those who saw them? Modern historians locate this time as the beginning of the Dark Ages. As the natural sun turns dark the increasing power of the church's doctrine reduces the light. It was in 528 AD that Justinian reforms the law, which is issued the year after. Justinian closes the Platonic (or scientific) academy in Athens. In 533AD Justinian proclaims the Pope as universal bishop. In 535 Justinian sets out to recover Italy from the Goths and in that year Belisarius captures Sicily. In the following year Belisarius captures Naples and Rome. This was the beginning of a dark time indeed for the servant of Yahweh and the Jewish people both persecuted by the system that was beginning to have a stranglehold on thought through their political power.

The meaning of these two eruptions suggested is merely a theory with no Biblical evidence. One cannot be dogmatic or certain in this case. The events in Revelation, as a continuous historical understanding, show two gaps for these two dates. The discussion above is based on the knowledge that Yahweh can control the movement of the earth, yet for some reason chooses to let the pressures build up so much that the resulting explosion is catastrophic. We know that in the case of the more modern eruption in 1883 that the volcano had been dormant for a long time previously. For the Catastrophic eruption in 535AD there similarly must have been a long build up. It could have exploded in any era. Why did it explode to herald the era of the dark ages to make the Mediterranean sky dark? Why the large 'bang' and shake in the l880's to mark when the first move towards Israel's rebirth occurs? One eruption marked the beginning of the dominance of the Holy Roman Empire, the other marked the beginning of the re-establishment of Israel, which to us is the beginning of the re-establishment of the process of the dominance of Zion. It could be co-incidence or it could be another example of the layering of detail in providence that major natural events also fit prophetic eras.

3) Tsunami

Recently, on a Sunday again, the earth moved in this region causing a tsunami event that makes us understand the power of the 1883 events at Krakatoa. A movement of the earth so great it rocked the earth on its axis. A movement which had consequences that were beyond imagination, with walls of water destroying all. What does it mean for the earth and water to move? Is this just a random event or is this is part of a pattern to warn us of the start of another era? In scripture 'water' stands for people, as does the 'earth'. This water conquered mostly Muslim territory.

From this we should look for events where masses of people are changing political systems. And after this earth moving event what has happened? The Pope has died and the power of the Roman system is revealed in the masses of people. Red was everywhere at the funeral where the daughters of Rome assembled with the Orthodox to worship the power of the system rebuilt. Not only that but Muslims were notable by their presence to pay respects. A system that has now a voice at the United Nations, effective from September 2004, since an historic vote in July 2004. On 29 October 2004 the New EU constitution was signed at Rome under the statues of Urban V111 and Innocent X, on Capitoline Hill, from where Rome historically ruled, where the temple of Jupiter stood with a statue holding the globe.

At the end of this year 2004 the Catholic Roman system stepped forward unopposed as an acknowledged political force in Europe and the United Nations. We soon after are given a demonstration of the power of the earth moving, and water inundating mostly Muslim peoples. And shortly thereafter the head of the Catholic system dies to allow another leader to begin a new era. Time will perhaps show us whether the physical movement of the earth was indeed a warning of the rise of the system to oppose Zion, a system seeking to establish their dominance over the Middle East.

Based on Elijah's experience, we know that Yahweh can control the earthquake, wind and fire, yet this is not where we hear his word. If we stand in awe at the power unleashed in the elements that Yahweh controls, how much more mighty then must be the power of His word? And it is this word that goes forth to accomplish His purpose.