Two earthquakes struck Israel this morning, measuring around 3 and 4.2 on the Richter Scale. There were no reports of damage or casualties, but the shaking lasted for around 10 seconds and was felt across the entire country. 

Quote: "Rami Hopshteter, manager of the GII [Geophysical Institute of Israel], explained that "this was a moderate earthquake, but was strong enough to be felt in many areas across the country. We received reports that the quake was felt in Haifa, Ashkelon, and of course Jerusalem, which is close to the quake's origin. We are certain that our Jordanian neighbors also felt it. "The quake is not surprising," he added, "As there is a lot of activity in the Dead Sea area... However, it is impossible to draw any clear conclusions about the future. The State of Israel has been preparing for an earthquake since 1999, but more can be done to improve out preparedness."

Recent earthquake activity in Israel has heightened fears that a major earthquake may strike the country in the not too distant future. Tel Aviv University geologist Dr Shmuel Marco has been studying Israel's geology, history and archaeology in an effort to construct an earthquake activity timeline for the region. Through his studies Dr Marco hopes to be able to deduct when the next major earthquake will occur. According to his research Dr Marco believes a major earthquake is long overdue and could strike at any time.

Quote: "With the aid of these documents, Marco has helped determine that a series of devastating earthquakes hit Israel in the past two thousand years. The major ones were recorded in the Jordan Valley in the years 31 BC, 363 AD, 749 AD and 1033 AD, "so roughly," says Marco, "we are talking about an interval of every 400 years. If we follow the patterns of nature, a major quake should be expected any time because almost a whole millennium has passed since the last strong earthquake."

Earthquake activity has often accompanied the fulfilment of prophetic events in the Scriptures. Earthquakes occurred during the crucifixion (Matthew 27:51) and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:2). Again, major earthquakes are prophesied to occur during the tribulation period (Revelation 6:12, 11:3, 16:18), and will mark Christ's return to earth (Zechariah 14:5). And it seems this final earthquake that will hit the Holy Land will be a big one, for it is prophesied to rip the Mount of Olives in two, providing a means of escape for the Jewish people to flee from the onslaught of the Antichrist. Today's earthquakes came after it was announced that the Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams had finally agreed upon a joint statement that will be presented at the upcoming international peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland. The earthquakes also came as Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was in Egypt, expressing his desires that a final peace agreement should be implemented by 2008.

Quote: ""We won't sit down and solve all the problems at once, after 60 years," Olmert told his host. "There will be difficult disagreements, there will be crises, there will be disputes. But I am hopeful that if we act in a cautious and responsible manner, there is a chance that we will eventually reach an agreement. "I hope we can reach an agreement during the year 2008," the prime minister said, stressing that the negotiations "will not skip any issue standing between us and them," meaning that the talks will address all the core issues.

If you think back, you will remember that recent earthquakes in Israel have also occurred during significant political and religious events. One earthquake occurred on the eve of Rosh Hashanah - the Feast of Trumpets, around which time of year it is thought that Jesus Christ will return to earth to set up His kingdom. This was preceded by a total lunar eclipse the day before, the moon being representative of the Messiah in Jewish tradition. Two earthquakes also struck Israel the day after PA President Mahmoud Abbas and then PA Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh agreed to form a Palestinian unity government in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Now Hamas controls the Gaza Strip and continues to fire rockets into Israel on a daily basis. And as my friend Olli-Pekka has reminded me, a major earthquake measuring around 7.2 on the Richter Scale hit Israel just two days after the Jewish state became the first country to sign a Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement with the European Union, courtesy of Javier Solana.

Quote: "JAVIER SOLANA helped establish as part of the Israeli peace process the earthquake research center set up in Eilat, Israel to study the Jordan Valley Rift earthquakes. It was that center that issued the original revised data on the earthquake of 11-22-2000 that they now have admitted to me really was a 7.2 earthquake. It was historically revised downward to reflect that it was a 6.2. My admission that the 6.2 was false and misleading was from Rami Hostetter, head of the Israeli Geophysical Institute, which continues to carry the false and misleading figures to the dismay of the hapless architects and engineers. Why would they revise it? Because it came two days after the 11-20-95 signing of a peace treaty between the EU and Israel. That too was brokered solely and signed by Dr. Javier Solana (a professor of physics). I believe it was because they believe the earthquake could be construed as a supernatural warning, which it may well have been. The earthquake came 3 days before the Barcelona Conference started.

Could these earthquakes be a Divine warning to the Israeli government against formulating a peace agreement with their enemies? I think so. Today we are living in God's Day of Grace. His offer of salvation is still extended to all those who will believe (John 3:16). The Scriptures warn us that the Day of Grace will one day come to a end. Then God's Day of Wrath will commense. As is said by the people of earth in that day, who shall be able to stand? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved (Acts 16:31).

Revelation 6:12
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; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Source YNet News, Jerusalem Post, Jerusalem Post, YNet News, Cephas Ministry